all images courtesy of Superscape

The Superscape is awarded every two years to innovative and visionary architectural concepts. It focuses on the interaction of private living space with urban contexts, viewed from an interdisciplinary perspective. Impulse lectures and discussion rounds create a forum for discourse and sharpen the interested public’s awareness for the interaction of architecture and urban planning. 

The Superscape 2016 named its new theme ad ''Future Urban Living – Functional Reduction with Maximum Space Gain'' opens a field for visionary design suggestions and space concepts which focus on building the urban residential space of the future. Innovative solutions are sought, combining high-quality residences with great space efficiency and the greatest functional flexibility possible. In this context, the changing needs and requirements of urban dwellers for their residences during the next 50 years shall be taken into consideration.

The goal is to formulate forward-thinking concepts, to question familiar residential patterns and to risk experiments in design, but also to consider their feasibility, and to check the possibility of realising them within existing building substance and existing urban structures. Furthermore, the subject is highly relevant with regard to increasing mobility and urban traffic flow within the context of urban planning. Immediate feasibility and current limitations imposed by building codes or norms should not be of primary concern. 

image © Martin Wacht

The first event launching the 2016 Superscape at brotfabrik wien on September 28 presented the award’s thematic focus, with subsequent discussion of questions arising from that focus, in order to provide visionary ideas about how to live in tomorrow’s cities. The keynote speaker was Oona Horx-Strathern. Panel discussion with Christoph Thun-Hohenstein (Director of MAK and initiator of the Vienna Biennial, jury member), Daniel Jelitzka (Superscape initiator and organiser) and Klaus Kada (architect and jury member). In her keynote address, the futurologist Oona Horx-Strathern reported on life inside the “future evolution house” developed by her and her husband, located in Vienna’s Grinzing district.

image © Martin Wacht

The first submission phase is now open until March 7, 2016.

Detailed information on the eligibility requirements, the application procedure and other relevant points can be found in the Call for Entries for Superscape 2016

Eligibility

Eligible candidates must have at least a degree (e.g. Master degree, Dipl. Ing.) in architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning or design from a university or academy. Multi-disciplinary teams are eligible, provided they have at least one member which fulfils these criteria.

Application Period: September 28, 2015 to March 7, 2016 

During the first application period, the participants are asked to submit short, concise concept sketches containing visionary ideas on the focus theme of Superscape 2016. A framework programme focusing on the main theme will enable discourse and provide impulses for the submitting teams and participants. The first meeting of the expert jury will take place immediately after the end of the application period, and the nominations for the shortlist will then be announced.

Application materials are to be submitted by March 7, 2016 digitally and completely in standard file formats (doc, pdf, jpg, tif etc) with the reference “Submission Superscape 2016”, either on a data carrier (USB stick or hard drive) or collated into one file and using a file hosting service (e.g. WeTransfer). Images and sketches must be submitted in printable quality (i.e. 300 dpi).

Submissions via a file hosting service must be sent to the following email address: [email protected]

The “Say Hello” Strip gives urban dwellers part of the public space for their own, individual purposes, Karin Graf, Katja Simma, Liz Zimmermann.

The project “Belvederetower 2055” examines questions of how to deal with Vienna’s historical heritage, Andreas Mayer.

This slightly different “Bauamt” (“Building Authority”) is a charitable organisation searching for ways to transform the efforts of informal initiatives regarding urban development into concrete projects, Philipp Hoppe.

The project “City of Workshops” tries to design a local counter-model based on personal contacts, in the sense of a workshop or DIY culture, designing social relationships (commons) and offering space and a safe framework for exchange in return, Nikolas Kichler and David Steinwender have been awarded with a Honorary Mention for "City of Workshops". 

> via superscape.at