FUND-RAISER FOR COVID-19 RELIEF

Humankind has witnessed several historic, life-changing

episodes such as industrialisation, colonisation and wars, and
society has always adapted to such significant milestones
fruitfully. Over the years architecture too, has been a
witness the very same happenings, and has shaped itself
accordingly to suit the times.

While most such events are read and studied about, the
ongoing pandemic is a rather unprecedented one.

The future of architecture and the notion of a city too are

standing at crossroads. The notion of the city and ‘city-life’
revolves closely around the act of gathering, and the
possibilities that come with meeting, living and sharing lives
with ‘strangers’. How will the city function if this very function
was to change completely? This pandemic though alarming,
brings with itself an aperture to redefine architecture and
the very experience of cities and its spaces.

We at Project Platypus introduce a spatial design competition,

which will touch upon our experiences, cravings and learnings
from a times when the world has come to a standstill.
Since ideas are not bound by professions, we invite ‘creatives’
across all fields to collaborate and come up with design and
space making solutions that affect us all. We encourage a fresh
perspective, and a direct engagement with an exercise as the
designer, architect and as someone who experiences their spatial
environment on an everyday basis.
 PROGRAM

The span of the lockdown and social distancing is

currently indefinite, and the possibility of this happening
again is uncertain. It is only wise then, to create and
work towards a system, that is conducive to the lifestyle
during times like these.
The performing arts industry thrives largely on live
physical interaction for the ecstatic passion of artistic
experience. Watching your favourite musician live is
unquestionably much more valuable an experience
compared to watching a 4K video of a concert. Spatial
surroundings affect emotions. This overwhelming
experience is the raison d’être of an artist as well as the
audience. Through history, this very art has been the
source of solace to humankind through the merriest and
darkest of times alike.

Lately, the performing arts industry has taken a backseat, and may take a
long while to spring back to normalcy. An important source of passion and
recreation in our lives, the performing arts have now been limited to our
screens. Experiences which were defined by their ambience, surroundings,
interaction and space, are not exclusive anymore. They are almost
immediately interchangeable, with the option of moving from a dance
recital, to a concert, to a museum, each with a single tap on the screen.

Eventually, if social distancing were to become a norm, could we explore

the possibility of creating artistic experiences without risking our safety,
and respecting health guidelines?

n fa c il ita t e dedicated
esig
ecture and d connect with
Could archit allow fo r a t r u e
ist ic ex p e riences that
a r t
r m s in t im e s like these?
the art-fo
 We are now looking at a world where
social distancing is the norm. And like we
always have, it is time to assess, evolve
and adapt. Through this competition we
want to imagine and design the future of
performing arts’ experience.

Participants of the competition are invited to design a

physical space which respects safety guidelines for a
social gathering of not less than 10 (could be in 100s or
1000s!) For us to understand your response to the context
and program, the choice of environment for the
intervention must be made from the below options. The
categories of environments that participants can choose
from are as follows (scales within these categories can be
chosen by the participants) :

CATEGORY TYPE OF SPACES EXAMPLES

Intimate Indoor/Outdoor spaces catering to a Cafés, Backyards, Bars,
Gathering dedicated crowd, curated for a specific Rooftops, Basements, Galleries
performance
Dynamic Spaces within the public domain with free Market, Streets, Alleys, Parks,
Gathering access to common public Amphitheatres, public plazas

Festive Large spaces for prolonged festivities Open grounds, fields,

Gathering involving a larger, dedicated audience and parade grounds, Stadiums
a number of different performances
Miscellaneous If the participants’ ideas do not fit in any of the above categories, they are
free to work on their ideas under this category.

While the choice of scale of the audience and environment can be

decided by the participants, all members in the audience need to have
a visual, auricular (audio) access to the performer. The proposed
designs must allow for an immersive spatial and sensorial experience for
both the audience and the performer (present in the same physical
space). This could be achieved by architectural resolution, conceptual
design, through secondary function in an existing space–or a combination
of all these, and the participants have full liberty in the approach they
would like to take in order to reach the goal.
Social distancing guidelines with respect to this competition have
been mentioned towards the end of this brief.
 This competition is open to people from all backgrounds.
One Conceptual Graphic: to explain the idea and concept of
SUBMISSION DETAILS

the proposal (including, but not limited to collages, drawings,

photographs, graphical representations, diagrams,
illustrations. References attached in this link)
One 3D Graphic ( 3D view / isometric / axonometric drawing,
references attached in this link )
Title of proposal (up to 3 words), Subtitle (up to 10 words)
Textual description about design proposal (up to 300 words)

Participants are required to mention the following at the

time of submission (through an online form):
• Category of space designed
• Number of people designed for (audience)
• Description the performance envisioned (up to 30 words)
• Team member details: (Name, professional background)

Format :
Graphics Size : A3 (29.7 x 42.0 cm)
Resolution : 300 dpi
Format : pdf This competition is not for profit.
Registrations can be made
Title & Write Up : A4 plain text pdf through donations to any one of
the listed NGOs or organisations
working towards providing relief
to the people in need during the
pandemic.

Upload a screenshot of the

donation to register :

• SEEDS India
• Reap Benefit
• Rise Against Hunger India (RAHI)
• WHO COVID-19 Response Fund
 • Gustavo Carmona: Architect, Mexico
JURY • Kai Piippo: Lighting Designer, Sweden
PANEL • Lisa Findley: Architect, Academic & Architectural Journalist, USA
• Mare Trevathan: Creator of Site Specific Theatre, USA
• Pratyush Shankar: Academic, Architect, India
• Rupali Gupte: Academic, Architect & Urbanist, India
• Sajid Wajid Shaikh: Visual Artist, Designer, India
• Shubhra Raje: Architect, Educator, USA/India
• Vanessa Vielma: Architect & Manager, ArchDaily Mexico
• Virkein Dhar: Architect, Performer, India

Judgement Criteria :
• Conceptual Treatment of the program
• Multidisciplinary approach of the proposed
concept
• Innovation in representational techniques
• Richness of artistic experience: performer and
audiences
• Written Description: containing description of
the built environment of the intervention, the
conceptual idea, design process and vision of the
future of performances and gatherings

Additional points to consider:

• Benefit of this new relationship between space
and art to the community.
• Functionality aspects of the space: Accessibility,
Movement, ease of hygiene maintenance.

Social Distancing Guidelines:

• Minimum 6ft/ 2m distance between each pair
of individuals
• Maximum of 2 persons can be in close
proximity with one another
• Infrastructure that allows for minimum
touch/contact and convenient sanitization
 Eligibility :
This competition is open to people from all backgrounds.
We have the provision of pairing people from outside the
architecture field with willing teams from the
architecture background to enable multidisciplinary
participation (Willingness to be paired must be mentioned
during the registration process by all participants).
Registration can be made individually or in teams (not
more than 3 people per team)
Registrations :
10th May to 13th June 2020
Donations for registration :
Minimum amount: $15 (₹1000)
Suggested amount: $25 (₹2000)
Submission Window :
12 PM 14th June to 12 PM 15th June 2020
Results:
1st August 2020

?? PRIZES & AWARDS

• 5 Winning entries: Prizes to be decided
• 15 honourable mentions: Feature in a dedicated online and printed book
published by Altrim Publishers, curated and designed by Sortedpandit
Studio, Bangalore. These entries will also be featured by our media
partners ArchDaily, KooZA/rch, Architecture Live! and The Architects’ Diary.
• Winning and shortlisted entries would also be featured in a virtual
exhibition on Project Platypus’ website and in a physical exhibition (when
the world allows for it!).

Contact: info@projectplatypus.org
www.projectplatypus.org

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:
Sortedpandit Studio (IND)
Materia (MEX)

@projectplatypusorg