September 2014 /// The Lonely Neighbors

SEPTEMBER 2014 COMPETITION

The Lonely Neighbors ///

Relationships between neighbors are significantly influenced by the density of housing in which they live. Urban, suburban, and rural neighborhoods have different spatial relationships, but their densities are not fixed. Neighborhoods may gain or lose density due to natural, social, and economic events. Instead of unpredictable fluctuations in density, what if there was a single force that constantly pushed neighbors apart? As with the expanding universe, housing units might slowly drift away from one another. How might neighbors respond to a constantly changing spatial relationship? What might neighbors do to maintain existing connections or embrace the drift? What happens when neighbors get lonely?

Participants are asked to consider a scenario where housing units constantly and uncontrollably drift apart from one another. Submissions may be technical, conceptual, practical, and/or artistic.

RESULTS ///

Caterina Gatti

Milano, Italy

Anna Hagen

Vienna, Austria

All Means (Clara Lee & Kristen Hagland)

Los Angeles, CA & Seattle, WA, United States

Ivan Radonjić & Ivan Đorđević

Budva, Montenegro & Belgrade, Serbia

Matt Avallone

Annapolis, Maryland, United States

Ko, Anthony Chun Ming

Hong Kong, China

Calum Ward

Fife, Scotland

Rangsiwat Yamkasikorn

Bangkok, Thailand

JURORS ///

Daniel Gehring, Architect

Dummerston, Vermont, United States
M. Arch, Judson College

Firm: OuterGreen LLC

Nicholas Paley

Manchester, Cheshire, United Kingdom
B.Arch, Lincoln University
Firm: Unknown Studio

Nathan Scrivo

Seattle, Washington, United States
B.Arch, Temple University
Civil Engineer Corps, United States Navy

ENTRIES ///

33 Entries from 16 Countries

Caterina Gatti

Milano, Italy

1ST

JURY COMMENTS ///

"Very fun, clean graphics, a simple but effective response to the competition. The concept of each house being connected solely by social media communicates that the brief is already in effect. I like the way the houses have been divided on what looks like a giant keyboard. It also suggests a playful treachery connecting; the figures might fall / our human contact is lost."

"A sadly accurate portrayal of life in the 21st century. For me, this was most well executed of the social media commentaries."

"This one shows two ways to connect. One is a tight-rope walk for physical connection and the other social media connection. Social media is easy, but for the personal connection there is a dangerous tight-rope walk over an abyss."

Anna Hagen

Vienna, Austria

2ND

JURY COMMENTS ///

"One of the only entries to truly address the brief. The title alone wins it (I had to Google it)... Panta Rhei means everything flows in ancient Greek. It follows a saying of Heraclitus; a Greek philosopher: 'No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.' "

3RD

All Means (Clara Lee & Kristen Hagland)

Los Angeles, California & Seattle, Washington, United States

JURY COMMENTS ///

"Interesting response. The graphic is clean and precise. It indicates broken communication as well as an almost voyeuristic disconnection between neighbours. The pin leaves me wondering how different our society is today compared with the past. Are our communications becoming cold and lifeless. Will we see each others emotions in the future?"

Ivan Radonjić & Ivan Đorđević

Budva, Montenegro & Belgrade, Serbia

TOP 7

JURY COMMENTS ///

"The red dot in the middle of things is not connected while one house has drifted out of order yet remains connected. I like the graphic representation. Speaks to the dichotomy being integral to the system but disconnected at the same time."

Matt Avallone

Annapolis, Maryland, United States

TOP 7

JURY COMMENTS ///

"True to the organic nature of growth, expansion does not create separation but allows opportunity for new colonies in the interstitial spaces. The graphic is clear and intriguing."

Ko, Anthony Chun Ming

Hong Kong, China

TOP 7

JURY COMMENTS ///

"I do like this response as it addressed not a physical scenario but instead addresses the value we place on our environment. It suggests that our bond as a society is intrinsically linked with the humanity embedded inside our cities. Our drift is not physical in this way, but emotional. The graphic illustrates this by showing a world void of us and our character. Furthermore I like that the response proposes as much as it answers. How do we as designers create new buildings with this stigma; a competition brief in itself! I would like to know whose quote that is."

Calum Ward

Fife, Scotland

TOP 7

JURY COMMENTS ///

"As human density rises, technology is the force pulling neighbors apart; growing food and communing with nature as a community endeavor prevents loneliness and supports human existence. I like this one for the hopeful solution it proposes."