Atelier C, an architecture studio based in Hong Kong, has initiated a competition inviting international students to conceptualize an "instant home" that can be assembled within 24 hours. The Youth ArchiDesign Competition is open to students aged 6 to 17 worldwide, aiming to promote sustainable architecture and nurture design talent among the youth. In collaboration with the Hong Kong-based architecture school My ArchiSchool, the competition offers a prize of £100 and a certificate to 20 winning students. Participants are tasked with creating a physical model using materials like paper, foamboard, or recycled plastic, accompanied by the submission of four photographs. Additionally, a digital model produced in software such as SketchUp, Blender, or Rhino, along with a hand-drawn sketch of the home, is required.
The competition additionally requests "artwork" depicting the home in any artistic medium, a brief written description of the project, and a one-to-three-minute video detailing the installation process. The competition aims to evaluate students' creativity, modelling abilities, digital proficiency, and writing skills. Following assessment by an international panel of judges, the submitted projects will be featured in an online library. Atelier C remarked, "While there are numerous traditional painting, graphic design, and calligraphy competitions, architectural design competitions tailored for students aged 6 to 17 are relatively uncommon".
Atelier C has recently introduced a program designed to translate key aspects of architectural design processes into modules accessible to children. This initiative places a particular emphasis on teaching children to comprehend architectural visualization using the latest software and also provides instruction on constructing physical models. Atelier C is actively developing the program to cater to the needs of blind and visually impaired children, with sponsorship from the Eva Chan Scholarship for Sustainable Development. In partnership with My Archischool, Atelier C offers various in-person and online courses for adults, focusing on imparting skills such as 3D modelling.
