reThink / reDesign / reCycle

FAQ

All registered individuals and teams are invited to email competition questions to redesign@aiachicago.org. Questions and answers will be posted below.

REGISTRATION

Q : Do you have to be an AIA member to enter? Do you have to live in Chicago?
A : No, the competition is open to anyone, regardless of location, profession, age, or professional status.

Q : The deadline for registration is near--how do I deliver my registration form to AIA Chicago on time?
A : If you mail your registration, it must be postmarked by June 24 (or July 1 for late registration). To ensure that AIA Chicago receives your registration on time, you can either fax it to the number on the form, or hand deliver it to Joan Pomeranc at the AIA Chicago offices in the Merchandise Mart.

Q : Can I email my registration to AIA Chicago?
A : Yes, a scanned copy of the completed registration form may be emailed to redesign@aiachicago.org .

Q :What do you get with the registration? Is there a packet of more information?
A : Registered entrants will receive an email confirming their registration shortly. This email will also provide more information about developing and submitting their designs.

PHASE I

Q : How should my submission boards be oriented? Can I make one board the size of two 11"x17" boards?
A : Submission boards may be oriented horizontally or vertically. The boards may be designed as one larger composition, but must be submitted as two separate 11"x17" boards.

Q : When will the first phase of the competition be judged?
A : Phase I submissions will be judged the week of July 18 th . Finalists will be announced July 22.

Q : Who will judge the Phase I submissions?
A : A panel of AIA Chicago Board Members will select a group of Phase I submissions as finalists to advance to Phase II.

Q : When will I find out if I'm a finalist?
A : Finalists will be notified by email July 22. Finalists will also be displayed on the competition website at this time.

Q : How many finalists will be selected to build their entries?
A : Finalists will be selected by merit; the number selected will depend on the number and quality of entrants.

CHECK OUT PHASE I FINALISTS HERE ON JULY 22

PHASE II/EXHIBITION

Q : Can I work with a contractor or fabricator to build my design?
A : Yes, you may receive assistance with the construction of your design, as long as it stays true to your original design.

Q : Does my built design have to be built of the actual materials I specified in my Phase I submission?
A : Every effort should be made to use the intended materials in the construction of your design; however, if necessary you may use substitute materials. Remember that the built design should be able to withstand the elements--durable materials should be used.

Q : Where is the site for the competition?
A : Daley Plaza is the location of the event exhibition. It is located on Washington Street between Clark Street and Dearborn Street in downtown Chicago. Designs may specifically address one or more sites in Chicago, Chicago in general, or may be viewed as a prototype for wide range use.

Q : How will I transport my built design to the August 19 th exhibition?
A : The entrant is responsible for transportation of the entry to Daley Plaza on Friday, August 19 th , 2005. There will be no on-site storage of the entry before that date.

Q : Will built designs be used on event day?
A : Yes, they will be used as receptacles for recyclables by eventgoers.

Q : What happens to my built design after the exhibition?
A : Built designs will remain at Daley Plaza for a short period after the exhibition. Afterwards, they may be used as prototypes for production, used in Chicago parks or plazas, or featured in other exhibitions. More information will be given on this as it becomes available.

Q : What size should the receptacle be? Is it considered to be thescale of a public trash receptacle (emptied once a day) or a dumpster(emptied once a week)?
A : Receptacles should be designed at a scale appropriate for placementin the public way (ie. Chicago's lakefront parks, and in and aroundthe Loop). The footprint of built designs shall not exceed 16 squarefeet and the height shall not surpass 8 feet. Typically, the city empties waste and recycling containers weekly; however, the competition asks entrants to propose both a method and frequency of collection.

Q : The competition focuses primarily on the design of receptacles and
not so much on whole organization of the recycling system, right?
A :The competition seeks to provide a viable recycling receptacle for
placement in the public way (ie. Chicago's lakefront parks, and in and
around the Loop).

Q : How will the receptacles be most likely emptied? From hand like
trashcans or will they use a little truck (like for the containers in
the alleys). If so, any requirements regarding grab bars and so forth?
A : Currently, the city (unlike the suburbs) empties all public
recycling receptacles by hand. However, the competition asks entrants
to propose both a method and frequency of collection.

Q : I wonder if I can put other recyclables in my design, like
composting garbage? Or can we put only glass, paper, plastic, and
metal in the design?
A : Receptacles may accommodate paper, plastic, metal, glass, or any
combination of stated materials.
Entrants may choose to design separate compartments for each material
type, similar to Chicago's commercial source separation recycling
strategies, or they may choose to combine multiple materials into a
single compartment, as is the case for the city's blue-bag inspired
programs. An explanation and reason for choosing one methodology over
the other will be expected.
Designs must include a separate compartment for waste, or
non-recyclable materials, to promote an uncontaminated and efficient
system of collection