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Design brief:
LIFETIME HOMES. LIFETIME NEIGHBOURHOODS

Competition Conditions

1.0 -Invitation

The Mail on Sunday British Homes Awards 2009 sponsored by VELUX and in partnership with BRE, MBE KTN, CLG (Communities and Local Government), Help the Aged, Stannah Stairlifts, NHBC and BIDA (British Interior Design Association) invite submissions for a single stage open design competition from an architectural practice for the most innovative exterior and interior design of a home that addresses Lifetime Homes Standards (LHS), whilst at the same time demonstrating attention to environmental and resource issues.

The competition is being organised by The British Homes Awards, who have taken advice from the RIBA Competitions Offi ce. All enquiries should be made to the promoter through www.britishhomesawards.com and not to the RIBA Competitions Office..

2.0 Objective

The competition challenges architects to rethink not only the design of homes that comply with and surpass Lifetime Homes Standards, but also the way homes and communities are created to allow occupants to maintain a 21st Century lifestyle as they grow older. Architects and interior designers are encouraged to involve older or disabled people in the design process for a better understanding and insight into their needs and aspirations..

3.0 Intention to build

It is the intention of the organisers together with BRE Housing Enterprise to negotiate with a registered house builder to build the winning design at an appropriate site within the UK - either as a stand alone or in multiple units. The units may also be inhabited for a certain timeframe with the behavioural patterns and practice of its occupants evaluated for research initiatives.

4.0 Competition Format

A short-list of up to 10 designs will be selected from the open fi rst stage and will be published in The Mail on Sunday in order that the readership can vote collectively for the winning design. The schemes will be published with the designs accredited to the architect(s). The scheme that receives the most votes will be declared the winner of the competition.

5.0 The Brief for Lifetime Homes. Lifetime Neighbourhoods

All schemes submitted should be deliverable within budget parameters that will enable volume development. At this stage an indication of build cost is not required as the Judges will assess all submissions against the following criteria:

Scope:

  • Design to have mass market appeal to have the potential for volume development by a major house builder
  • Design to demonstrate how the homes can be developed within a wider community considering communal spaces, facilities and features
  • Detached or attached house with a party wall or as one of multiple units (flats)
  • A minimum of 2 bedrooms
    • Conformity to Lifetime Homes Standards(LHS)

Construction

  • To Code Level 4 and otherwise Buildings Regulations compliant
  • Use and specifi cation of innovative materials and products to stimulate the supply chain process.
  • Compliance with NHBC or other (specifi ed) warranty
  • All forms considered, brick and block, steel frame, timber frame and concrete frame. This list is not intended to be exhaustive

Design

  • • 21st Living Space – redesigning the home inside and out.
  • Creative use of space (open, adaptable, fl exible, movement, access, circulation, etc)
  • Design features that can be easily adapted to meet changing lifestyle needs.
  • Kitchens and bathrooms that facilitate ease of use and maintenance
  • Product specifi cation initiatives ( eg.reduced door sills) that do not compromise free movement and
    circulation for the wheelchair user
  • Facilitates maintenance and control of the home environment (lighting, acoustics, heating, ventilation,
    etc)
  • Enhanced functionality of indoor environment
  • Future proofi ng for appropriate renewable and low carbon technologies to be incorporated
  • Water effi ciency initiatives
  • Consideration for health, safety and security issues * (HHSR link)
  • Consideration of English Partnerships Ducting Guide and provision of intelligent infrastructures

As a catalyst for design inspiration see 21.0 for a selection of quotes from older people about their expectations and 22.0 for relevant websites.

Community issues to consider:

• Energy Generation- CHPs
• Density
• Outside space provision (suds, walkways, parking, planting)

6.0 Eligibility

The competition is open to all UK registered Architects. Individual or team entries are encouraged and the participation of recently qualified Architects is particularly welcomed.

No member or employee of the promoting body nor the assessors nor any partner, associate or employee of them shall be eligible to compete or assist a competitor.

7.0 Assessors

The following assessors have been appointed to adjudicate on submissions made and to select a shortlist of up to 12 deliverable designs: Michael Manser (Chairman) assisted by: Robert Adam Amanda Baillieu Dr Peter Bonfield Kevin Brennan Catherine Burd Paul Hyett David Pretty Sebastian O'Kelly Anna Scothern Neil Smith In the event of an assessor being unable to contine to act through illness or any other cause, the promoter will appoint another assessor.

8.0 Prize Money

First Prize: £5000

9.0 Timetable

The Programme, which may be subject to variation, is: Brief available January 19 2007 Submissions by March 16 2007 First stage Assessment March 29 2007 Shortlist published April 15 2007 Public Exhibition of short-listed schemes THINK, ExCel May 1-3 2007 Final decision (votes counted) May 11 2007 Result announced May 31 2007 Schemes published June 3 2007

10.0 Questions

No questions will be asked and none will be answered

11.0 Submissions

Method The design of each competitor is to be contained in a single package and is to be sent, carriage paid, addressed to Mike Gazzard, British Homes Awards, Fairway House, Clandon Regis, Epsom Road, West Clandon, Surrey GU4 7TT and clearly marked 'Home for the Future to arrive not later than Friday March 16 2007. Competitors are advised that late entries will be disqualified. Competitors requiring proof of delivery should enclose in their package a stamped, sealed self-addressed envelope. This will be posted upon receipt of submission.

12.0 Authorship:

Confirm the name and address of your practice and ARB number A successful competitor must be able to satisfy the assessors that he/she is the bona fide author of the design he/she has submitted and that he/she is registered on the ARB. Competitors should retain copies of the designs submitted.

13.0 Disqualification

A design shall be excluded from the competition:

  • if received after the latest time stated under Submission Method
  • if, in the opinion of the assessors, it does not substantially meet the requirements of the Brief
  • if a competitor shall disclose his or her identity, or improperly attempt to influence the decision
  • if any of the mandatory requirements of the competition conditions and brief are disregarded

14.0 Submission Instruction

Competitors should submit their design proposals on a maximum of three A1 lightweight boards, with a short typewritten accompanying report of up to 750 words explaining how the design works, technologies and construction materials used and confirmation of eco savings etc The CGI images presented on the boards should be included on a CD for public presentation within The Mail on Sunday, Building Design, at Excel, The Judges' Report and The Design Portfolio and other appropriate media/events and on their preferred websites. No models will be required.

15.0 Copyright

The ownership of copyright in the work of all competitors will be in accordance with the Copyright and Patent Act 1988.

16.0 Announcement of Awards and Exhibition

To enable the selection process each entrant authorises Tee to Green Marketing (The Promoter) to present the entries in whatever medium and at such time or place that is considered appropriate but the Promoter will not be liable for any claims made against it resulting from any such viewing or publication. The Promoter will communicate individually with each of the short-listed competitors prior to publishing the schemes. The Awards will be announced on May 31st at which time the winner will be advised.

All the designs will be retained by the promoter for the purposes of exhibition, and publicity and illustration. The promoter may publish illustrations of any design, either separately or together with other designs with or without explanatory text. The short-listed schemes will be featured within The Mail on Sunday to allow their readership the opportunity to vote for a winning design. These schemes will also be featured in Building Design and on their nominated website The eventual winner will receive further publicity in both publications and all other schemes will be featured in a dedicated publication documenting the competition process. In addition the short-listed designs are be showcased on a dedicated stand at THINK (ExCel May 1-3 2007)

22.0 Appointment of the Architect

The author of the design placed first by the readership of The Mail on Sunday (selected from theshortlist agreed by the Jury Panel) will be appointed as the architect for the work.

23.0 Architect's appointment

It is the intention of BRE to commission the author of the design placed first to build the winning design on the BRE Innovation Park at Garston.

24.0 Enquiries

The Competition is being administered by Tee to Green Marketing Limited to whom any enquiries relating to the general conditions of this competition should be addressed. (email mg@britishhomesawards.com)

25.0 Registration Fee

The registration fee is £35 exc VAT for each design submission. Cheques, to accompany each entry, should be made out to Tee to Green Marketing Limited.

 

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LIFETIME HOMES, LIFETIME NEIGHBOURHOODS DESIGN CONCEPTS


General Annual Design Competition Partners Design Brief