Creating and organizing your architecture competition boards is crucial for the success of a project presentation and can make or break an architecture competition entry. It is an important part of the competition process and often provides just as much weight in the review process as the design does.
To ensure that your competition boards stand out and grab the attention of the judging panel, it’s important to consider a number of factors.
In this article, we provide six simple tips and recommendations that can help you create effective boards for any architecture competition entry, we hope that by following these guidelines, you can increase your chances of producing an award winning project.
How to make your architecture competition boards stand out?
01 – Start with a plan
To effectively organize your architecture competition boards, it is important to clearly define the main idea and narrative you want to convey and to identify the supporting drawings, images, and information that will best illustrate this idea.
Gather this material and outline the points you will cover to help guide the organization of your board. Remember to choose your best work and ensure that all drawings, sketches, and images are of high quality and resolution.
Consider scanning your work at a resolution of approximately 200 dpi and touching up any images in Photoshop if necessary. The goal is to create a competition entry that speaks for itself and clearly communicates your idea and design approach.
02 – Keep it simple
It’s important to keep your competition boards simple as it helps make your complex design more understandable and easier to communicate to others. When you divide your panels into sections and arrange them in a clear and organized way, it helps your audience focus on the most important aspects of your design and follow your conceptual process more easily.
Additionally, using techniques like horizontal or vertical division can help create a visual hierarchy and guide the viewer’s attention to the most important elements. By presenting your ideas in a clear and concise manner, you can effectively communicate your design and convey your ideas to your audience.
03 – Be precise
In order to effectively communicate the key aspects of your work, it is important to present a clear and easily readable drawings and imagery. This is especially important in an architecture competition, where you don’t have the opportunity to explain your design decisions in person.
You can use contrast colors to highlight the most important elements and consider including diagrams, sketches, and perspectives of the most characteristic spaces to help explain the form-finding process, circulation, and functional aspects of your design.
Remember, your submission should clearly convey the leading idea and concept behind your work.
04 – Quality, quality, quality
It’s important to ensure that all of the visualizations, plans, sections, and axonometric views in your final submission are of high quality and have been fully developed. It is better to present a smaller number of well-crafted drawings than to include a large number of poorly executed or unfinished ones.
Be mindful that these drawings are meant to showcase your skills and abilities, so it is essential to put in the necessary effort to make them the best that they can be. Pay attention to the quality and polish of each drawing, as it is easy for reviewers to recognize when a submission has been given care and attention or not.
05 – Perspectives are your friends
Axonometric views are an effective way to show the three-dimensional relationships and volumetric qualities of your design. You can use exploded axonometry to illustrate the internal components of your building and to demonstrate how the structure functions.
These types of drawings can also be used to show the construction and finishing layers.
Perspectives can be used to convey the character and atmosphere of the space, and it is important to pay attention to the shots and camera positions you choose. When creating a 3D model, it is important to focus on adding detail to the areas that will be visible in the final perspective views.
There is no need to spend time adding unnecessary details that will not be visible at the intended scale.
06 – Name it
It is helpful to create a memorable and descriptive title for your submission that effectively communicates your design approach. A catchy title can help you stand out in the minds of the jury and increase your chances of being awarded.
Additionally, be sure to make all texts and descriptions clear and easy to read by using appropriate font sizes and styles that are easy to read. Make sure that your design includes all necessary descriptions, but avoid overwhelming the viewer with too much information.
It is important to strike a balance and provide enough context without overwhelming the viewer with excessive details.
FAQ’s about architecture competition boards
How do you conduct an architectural competition?
There are several steps involved in conducting an architectural competition. Here is a general outline of the process:
- Define the competition objectives: The organizers of the competition should clearly define the purpose, goals, and objectives of the competition. This may include the type of building or project being designed, the location, the target audience, and any specific requirements or constraints.
- Develop the competition brief: The competition brief is a document that outlines the competition guidelines and requirements. It typically includes information on the design brief, the timeline, the submission requirements, the evaluation criteria, and any other relevant details.
- Recruit judges and experts: The organizers of the competition should select a panel of judges and experts who are qualified and knowledgeable in the relevant fields. These individuals will be responsible for reviewing the submissions and selecting the winning design.
- Promote the competition: The organizers should promote the competition through various channels, such as social media, professional organizations, and industry publications, to ensure that a diverse group of architects and designers are aware of the opportunity.
- Review and evaluate submissions: Once the submission deadline has passed, the judges and experts will review and evaluate the submissions based on the criteria outlined in the competition brief. They may also conduct interviews or presentations with the finalists to get a more in-depth understanding of their designs.
- Select the winning design: Based on their evaluations, the judges and experts will select the winning design and announce the results of the competition. The winning design may be awarded a prize or contract to move forward with the project.
- Communicate the results: The organizers should communicate the results of the competition to all participants and make the winning design and any other notable submissions publicly available.
How many members are there in Board of Assessors for an architectural competition?
The size of the Board of Assessors for an architectural competition can vary depending on the specific competition and its objectives. In general, the Board of Assessors is typically composed of individuals who are qualified and knowledgeable in the relevant fields, such as architecture, design, engineering, planning, and construction.
The number of members on the Board of Assessors can range from a small group of experts to a larger panel of judges, depending on the size and complexity of the competition. It is important for the Board of Assessors to have a diverse range of perspectives and expertise in order to provide a fair and thorough evaluation of the submissions.
Are architecture competitions worth it?
Architecture competitions can be a valuable opportunity for architects and designers to showcase their skills, gain recognition, and potentially secure a contract or project. Participating in a competition can provide a platform to share innovative ideas and approaches to design, and it can also be a learning opportunity to receive feedback from experts in the field.
That being said, it is important to carefully consider the costs and time involved in participating in a competition, as the process can be time-consuming and may require a significant investment in terms of resources and effort. It is also important to be aware that the competition process can be competitive and there is no guarantee that a submission will be successful.
Ultimately, whether or not an architecture competition is worth it will depend on an individual’s specific goals and priorities, as well as the specific competition and its requirements. It may be worth considering if the potential benefits outweigh the costs and if the competition aligns with an individual’s career aspirations and interests.
How many types of architectural competitions are there?
There are several different types of architectural competitions, and the specific type of competition can vary depending on the goals, objectives, and scope of the project. Some common types of architectural competitions include:
- Design competitions: These competitions typically focus on the design of a specific building or project, and may include requirements such as site constraints, programmatic elements, and design guidelines.
- Ideas competitions: These competitions are often more open-ended and may ask participants to submit ideas or concepts for a specific problem or challenge. These competitions may be more focused on innovation and creativity rather than a specific design solution.
- Student competitions: These competitions are specifically tailored for students and may provide an opportunity for young designers to showcase their work and gain recognition.
- International competitions: These competitions may be organized by international organizations or agencies and may have a global focus or reach.
- Open competitions: These competitions are typically open to all interested parties, regardless of their level of experience or expertise.
- Invited competitions: These competitions are typically limited to a specific group of invited participants, such as a shortlist of architects or firms.
- Two-stage competitions: These competitions have two stages, with the first stage typically being an open call for submissions and the second stage being a more detailed design phase for a smaller group of finalists.
It is also possible for a competition to combine elements from different types of competitions or to have unique characteristics that do not fit into any specific category.
