Newhouse Architecture and Design Competition
The theme of the 39th annual Newhouse Architecture + Design Competition highlights the City of Chicago’s new INVEST South/West initiative by concentrating students’ efforts on projects that improve the quality of life on the South and West Sides.
2021 Newhouse
In October 2019, Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced INVEST South/West—a community revitalization initiative to support equitable development in 10 underinvested neighborhoods on Chicago’s South and West Sides. INVEST South/West seeks enhancements that are aligned with each neighborhoods’ priorities, as identified in their own Quality of Life and related plans.
This year’s Newhouse Architecture + Design Competition focuses on projects that improve the quality of life in the three first-phase INVEST South/West areas of Auburn Gresham, Austin and Englewood.
Divisions
Architecture: Housing
Using data from the City of Chicago's Large Lots Program, select an available lot in Auburn Gresham, Austin or Englewood and design an affordable, environmentally friendly, multi-unit housing structure that can support families or multi-generational households.
What to submit: Architectural models (physical or digital) with supporting artifacts and documents to show your design process
Construction: Mobility
To increase accessibility and comfort for visitors to the future Auburn Gresham Healthy Lifestyle Hub, a new bus shelter will replace the existing bench at W. 79th and S. Peoria Streets. Develop a construction management plan that describes the overall planning, coordination and control of the project so it’s safe for workers and the public.
What to submit: Construction management plan with supporting artifacts and documents to show your design process
Visual Arts: Community Building
Select a site and design a mural, sculpture or other long-term art installation that celebrates the past, present and possible future for Auburn Gresham, Austin or Englewood.
What to submit: Design with supporting artifacts and documents to show your design process
Graphic Design: Open Space
Using data from the City of Chicago's Large Lots program, select an available lot for a community garden in Auburn Gresham, Austin or Englewood. Design a piece of print collateral that makes the case for the garden, demonstrating its potential benefits and encouraging community members and other stakeholders to get involved.
What to submit: Print collateral (poster, brochure, magazine cover, infographic, etc.) with supporting artifacts and documents to show your design process
Open Design + Build: Social Impact
Select an available site (vacant lot or building to repurpose) in Auburn Gresham, Austin or Englewood. Propose a design for a multipurpose space that can support a farmer’s market, food bank and healthy eating classes for the community.
What to submit: Any combination of options from other categories plus digital media (video, podcast, etc.), with supporting artifacts and documents to show your design process
Eligibility
Participation in Newhouse is free and open to any Chicago-area high school student. Students may participate through school or independently.
Important Dates
December 1, 2020: Registration opens
Mid-January 2021: Student and teacher manual released
April 9, 2021: Student submissions due
April 21–26, 2021: Jury review period
May 1, 2021: Awards ceremony
Competition Jury & Entry Evaluation
A robust network of professional architects, designers and engineers serve as jurors for Newhouse entries. Jurors review and evaluate student work for evidence of the design process, critical thinking and creativity, craftsmanship and professional presentation.
Questions? Want to learn more about how to get involved? Email newhouse@architecture.org.
