Architecture and design magazine Volume Zero has announced the winners for its competition UnBox 2017 that challenged participants to model public spaces out of recycled shipping containers. The Competition received a staggering response of 323 proposals from around 57 countries; entries that explored various ways to creatively design areas meant for engaging the communities.

The jury consisted of esteemed names in the field of architecture and design such as Arjun Malik (Malik Architecture, India), Peter Walker (Cumulus Studio, Australia), Todd Henderson (Cumulus Studio, Australia), Ada Tolla (LOT-EK, USA) and Giuseppe Lignano (LOT-EK, USA).

The winners were awarded $4000 in total; first prize of $2000, $1200 for the second place and $800 for the third place. 10 entries received honourable mentions. The full results for the UnBox 2017 competition can be found on the competition's website.

Scroll down to see the winning entries below:

1st prize: The New Eye by Reshma Esther Thomas, Ujjwal Sannala and Sai Sharanya Satoor - India

The entry looks at transforming the otherwise tumultuous relationship of the ocean with the shipping containers; it looks at creating a model that is ‘the eye’ to the unseen, novel world underwater. The design is built on the concept the humble ‘periscope’ and can be enjoyed by the user to look at the aquatic world beneath his feet. 

“The design is a prototype of which stationed around anywhere in the oceans of the world. As the users approach these container boxes, set out in the sea through boats and ferries, they are transported in the world of ocean without physically causing any ravage to the animal life”.

2nd prize: Growing Cells by Emilio Bartolini and Benjamín Martínez Country - Argentina

Taking its inspiration from a climber plant, the project revolves around unveiling the beauty of unused spaces within the city; spaces that are regarded are purposeless. The aim of the project is to give eminence to these spaces and empower the users to transform them in their own way.

“The project purposes a use of the ephemeral public space today, devoid of purpose as is the medians, because due to building, of easy assembly and the day that is required, it is dismantled, it is there where modular and light structures we can give a beneficial end to the medians."

3rd prize: The Pandora’s Box by Arbaz Hanif Patel, Riya Kailashbhai Lalwani and Akshay Dipakbhai Ujeniya - India

The design is a prototype that is used as a performance space between the city limits. The entry gives prominence to sustainable design as the planes are controlled by pulleys and cables. The varying heights of the unit create vibrant settings for public performances. 

“The most interesting part of the structure is that it is completely made out of container and it creates a large space in the street where it is deployed by the use of the planes of the container, which are controlled by system of pulleys and cables without use of any power and hence it is sustainable”.

The entries that received honourable mentions are given below:

Passages by Grace Tran, Marisol Barba and Maryam Foorotan - USA

Still Life (Public Restroom) by Yiteng Chong, Steve Jenot Stanly - Australia

Puerto Rico Rebuild Hub by Rafael Vargas Correa and Christina Centeno Lopez - Puerto Rico

Pavepod by K A Safvan, Sadeed and Javith - India

Dock – Me Here by Lochana C V, Prakash T - India

Taxed by Ignazio Calabria, Brandon Brewer and Macario Bandera - USA

Dynamoc by Mu He and Yineo Chen - USA

Public Space by Cibi V, Logeshwaran R S, Rajha Surya A - India

Hortus Container by Illaria Stroppa, Diego Bassetti - Italy

Hidden Gap at the Entrance of Beirut by Joanna Abi Nader, Ragheed Abi Hassan - Lebanon

Volume Zero's next competition, ‘Pocket Seat 2018’ will be centred on designing a personal seat that is adaptable and can be easily transported in today’s day and age. For more details, please visit the website.

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