An international call has been launched to design the Jewish National Fund World Zionist Village in Israel. Jewish National Fund (JNF) invites all architects, students, designers, ‘big thinkers’, educators and landscape architects from around the world 18 years and older to submit ideas for its World Zionist Village.

Located in the desert city of Be’er Sheva, Israel, this 21 acre village will serve as an eco-system of Zionist engagement including Jewish National Fund’s high school abroad, a program for post-college graduates to pursue yearlong internships at leading high tech companies, and an Adult Education Center to convene adults, congregations, teachers, all to revolutionize Zionist and Jewish educational engagement for the decades ahead.

Call for Ideas

Envision Tomorrow’s Israel aims to solicit ideas for key elements of this Village including dormitories, high school classrooms, conference center space, café’s, houses of worship, outdoor gardens, or entranceways. Additionally, JNF seeks a unique design concept — an iconic structure — as a means for attracting people to the desert city of Be’er Sheva.

Guiding Principles

Submissions should be guided by JNF’s mission to support conversation, education and encourage interaction among the Village users. Submissions should be guided by the theme of Zionism, Judaism, innovation, desert environment, and cutting-edge ideas to mitigate climate impact and sustainability.

Narrative

How does the design integrate to the region of Be’er Sheva? The Middle East? How does the design amplify the history and modern-day relevance of Zionism? How does the design raise questions about identity? Encourage safe space for engagement? How does the design encourage a stimulating and immersive learning environment when studying about Israel IN Israel? How does the design harness Israel’s innovative culture as it relates to reducing the need for non-renewable energy resources? How does the design act as a gateway into JNF’s activities in the Negev?

Submission Requirements

Submissions should include no more than one image (rendering, sketch, diagram or other; JPEG files only, 12 x 18 image, no more than 20MB) and an accompanying abstract/narrative not to exceed 500 words. Graphic renderings need not be to scale.

Evaluation Criteria

Entrants are encouraged to consider functionality and aesthetics in developing their design concepts. Original, creative design idea solution explanations are desired. Design ideas should demonstrate incorporation of the Guiding Principles and include energy/environmental concepts and ease of maintenance.

Jury

Forthcoming

Timeline 

Submission Opening: 02/04/21

Submission Deadline: 03/18/21

Announcement of finalists: 04/29/21

Results: 05/27/21 

Awards:

1st place: $ 5,000

2nd place: $2,500

3rd place: $1,800

Honorable mention: $1,000

People’s Choice Award: $3,600

Download the information related to this competition here. Submit your work from here. 

Top image courtesy of Jewish National Fund

> via Jewish National Fund