2009 Open Architecture Challenge: Classroom

"Design the classroom of the future"

TODAY'S LESSON: BETTER CLASSROOM DESIGN

The 2009 Open Architecture Challenge invites students, teachers and designers to work together to design the classroom of the future. Design teams are can partner with a school of their choosing or with one of our school building partners below.

Partner with a school of your choice

Urban Classroom Upgrade (India)

Relocatable Classroom Design (Modular)

Rural Classroom Addition (Uganda)

Teachers and students know what makes a classroom work. We're inviting you to design the classroom of the future together.

According to the World Bank, educating all children worldwide will require the construction of 10 million new classrooms in more than 100 countries by 2015. At the same time, millions of existing classrooms are in serious need of repair and refurbishment.
Let's get started.

We are inviting you, the designer, to work with students and teachers to design the classroom of the future for a school of your choosing. Your design should address the unique challenges your school faces in trying to provide smart, safe and sustainable learning spaces. Students and teachers, here's your chance to tell the world what you need to make your classroom more effective. Architects and designers, you'll work one-on-one with students to translate those needs into better classroom design.

* Share your design expertise and inspire school students to re-imagine their classroom
* Help students learn about the built environment using a companion design curriculum
* Become an advocate for better classroom design in your community

Jurors currently includes Dave Eggers, Michelle Kaufmann, Hilary Cottam, Kigge Hvid and others. More will be added over the course of the registration period.

If your design wins, your school will receive up to $50,000 in funding for classroom construction and upgrading. You will receive a grant of $5,000 to help them do it.

How to Get Involved

All are welcome to participate. You do not need to be a registered architect. You may submit multiple entries. There is an entry fee of $25 per entry. (These fees go towards supporting the competition. Fees are waived for entrants from developing nations).

Enter Now

Design Teams
Choose a school partner You can enter with a school of your choice or enter a design for one of our school building partners. Enter the Open Architecture Challenge Enter Now Once you enter, you will gain access to the competition brief and criteria. Once you have registered, you will have access to your project page and specific competition brief and criteria.
Teachers and Students
Enter the Open Architecture Challenge Once you enter, you will gain access to the competition brief and criteria. If you'd like to partner with a professional, many designers and architects would be eager to help your students understand the design criteria. How to find a professional near you. Download the companion curriculum and participate in other learning opportunities. See more Student and Teacher Resources.

If you are not already a member, you must first join the Open Architecture Network to enter the competition. Joining is free and only takes a moment. Register to join the Open Architecture Network.

2009 Open Architecture Challenge

OAN register

Pecha Kucha Night Cleveland #2

Friday, February 6th, 2009
Start 8:20pm (doors open at 7)
House of Blues
308 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio

Please join us at PechaKucha Night Cleveland - Volume 2, as local creatives present their work, ideas, and obsessions in a series of short presentations on art, fashion, food, architecture, film, furniture, music, and photography. Space will be tight so be sure to come early and enjoy a few beverages prior to being inspired, influenced, confused, provoked, and probably slightly intoxicated by the wonderfully variegated topic mix. Doors and bar open at 7:00pm. Keep an eye on the list of presenters - we will be updating it over the next few weeks. If you are interesting in presenting at a future PechaKucha Night, have an idea for a venue, or have questions about PechaKucha Night, please contact us - we'd love to hear your ideas. Can't wait to see ya on the 6th.

Be sure to bring a friend or two! Cheers, Mike Christoff & Raseem Parker pkncleveland@gmail.com

resources:
Pecha Kucha Night Cleveland