Portugal

ARCHITECTURE COMPETITION

The International VELUX Award is a competition for students of architecture that runs every second year. 

Register: APR/15/2020, Submit: JUN/15/2020, Eligibility: Registered architecture students 2019/20, who must be backed by a teacher from a school of architecture; individually, (multidisciplinary) teams (including engineering, design, landscaping), Fee: Free, Awards: Total prizes money: up to 30,000 EUR;  2 Grand Prizes (2 categories): 5,000 EUR each (4,000 EUR student, 1,000 EUR teacher); 10 Regional Prizes (5 regions by 2 categories): 1,250 EUR each (1,000 EUR student, 250 EUR teacher); special prizes

Daylight in architecture is an ever-relevant topic. Daylight has been used for centuries as the primary source of light for the interior and architects have always been interested in and fascinated by daylight; yet daylighting can be a difficult discipline to approach, understand and master. Daylighting describes the controlled use of natural light in and around buildings. It is the practice of placing windows, or other transparent media and reflective surfaces, so that natural light provides effective internal illumination during the day.

ARCHITECTURE COMPETITION

Register: MAY/05/2020, Submit: JUN/12/2020, Eligibility: Architects, designers, enthusiasts, companies, students; individually, teams up to 4 members, Fee: Architects, designers, enthusiasts, companies 90 USD, students 70 USD (NOV/27/2019 – JAN/21/2020); architects, designers, enthusiasts, companies 120 USD, students 100 USD (JAN/22 – MAR/03/2020); architects, designers, enthusiasts, companies 140 USD, students 120 USD (MAR/04 – MAY/05/2020); discount for 3+ registrations from one university/school, Awards: 1st Prize: 3,000 USD, 2nd Prize: 1,500 USD, 3rd Prize: 500 USD, “Competition Client’s Favorite” Award: 1,000 USD, BB Student Award: 500 USD, BB Green Award: 500 USD, 6 Honorable Mentions

Officially known as the Portuguese Republic, Portugal is the westernmost sovereign state of mainland Europe. It is one of the oldest nations on the continent, having been continuously settled since prehistoric times, and was founded as the County of Portugal in 868 AD. Portugal has a Mediterranean climate with a mixed oceanic climate along the northern half of its coastline, making it one of the warmest countries in Europe, with annual average temperatures reaching as high as 40°C and higher during the summer months. Despite its constant human settlement, Portugal is still a territory rich in biodiversity.

ARCHITECTURE COMPETITION

Register: JUN/01/2020, Submit: JUN/06/2020, Eligibility: Architecture students (undergraduate, graduate, master, PhD), young architects and professionals with a degree in architecture studies (≤ 40 years old); individually, (multidisciplinary) teams up to 4 member (architecture students, young architects or  professionals, landscape architects, urban designers, artists, etc.), Fee: 60 EUR (FEB/26 – APR/20/2020), 80 EUR (APR/21 – MAY/21/2020), 100 EUR (MAY/22 – JUN/01/2020); +VAT 23%, Awards: 1st Prize 2,000 EUR, 2nd Prize 1,000 EUR, 3rd Prize 500 EUR, 7 Honorable Mentions

The Site Mirador located at the Zavial Battery, Algarve, Portugal, offers a unique experience through time and memory. It is a powerful moment to increase and stimulate the senses, to feel the weight of the cliffs, the depth of the crevices, the strength of the water and the openness of the horizon; it is a place for contemplation and a landmark within the landscape. The Zavial Battery remains are a significant landmark of great cultural heritage and historical significance with characteristics that must be fully preserved. When generating a vision for an intervention located within such a remarkable place, it is essential that each design proposal emphasises, respects and celebrates the site and existing ruins.

ARCHITECTURE PROJECT

Location: Quarteira, Portugal
Architects: Corpo Atelier
Photographs: Ricardo Oliveira Alves

Empty plots of similar shapes and sizes are aligned along a golf course, setting a frame for new urbanization of detached houses. Nothing was built. Due to the degree of uncertainty regarding future constructions, the house becomes introverted. Two white walls (almost) completely withdraw any direct contact from future neighbors, setting clear boundaries. Between them, an architectural inner landscape of cubic shapes, each arranging a single function, provides a sense of security and protection while carefully framing the distant landscape. Only a horizontal volume, containing the swimming pool, contradicts this logic projecting itself to the South, emerging from the walls to offer a possibility of volunteered exposure, for a brief moment, before returning to the house.