CRAFTITECTURE a Pavilion for Electric Picnic

1 CRAFTITECTURE A Pavilion for Electric Picnic A competition designed by the Crafts Council of Ireland and the Irish Architecture Foundation in association with the Electric Picnic and Greencrafts to promote creativity and collaboration between architects and crafts people. In association with: 2 Contents 1) Craftitecture Aims Context 2) Process and Collaboration 3) Site/Area 4) Design Requirements Design Requirements Budget & funding Timescale 5) Competition and logistics Format Submission Requirements 6) The Jury 7) Payment schedules and Programme 8) Supporting documents 3 1) Craftitecture Aim The aim of this competition is to establish an innovative project that will realise the design and build of a re‐usable temporary structure at Electric Picnic 2011. The structure or Pavilion (as it will be called in this document) will house small intimate events for Year of Craft 2011 during Electric Picnic. The Pavilion must raise awareness and demonstrate the links between architecture and craft. The initiative aims to increase skills level and understanding of materials by both craft and architecture. The structure must inspire, excite and innovate. The winning team must be an equal representation of architect and craft person and the winning design must reflect an equal contribution from both professions. This project is a partnership between the Crafts Council of Ireland and the IAF to encourage creative collaborations and test the ground for future initiatives. Context This competition forms part of the programme of events to celebrate Year of Craft 2011 on the island of Ireland. The year marks the 40th anniversary of the Crafts Council of Ireland, (CCoI), and will be celebrated through a diverse range of dynamic events and programmes to showcase the very best of Irish craft. The craft industry which has an estimated output of €498m is a dynamic and vibrant sector in Ireland. The industry encompasses a range of different skills including textile making and clothing, pottery and ceramics, jewellery, glass and woodworking and furniture. The Crafts Council of Ireland is responsible for fostering the growth and commercial strength of the crafts industry in Ireland, communicating its unique identity and stimulating quality design, innovation and competitiveness. The Irish Architecture Foundation is a vibrant and passionate organisation that seeks to excite people about the cultural value of architecture. The IAF is an independent, open and accessible organisation whose purpose is to encourage a better‐built environment. We aim to communicate the shaping of space and the effect that shaping has on its user. We aim to provide a platform to communities to exchange knowledge and experience. We are aware of current and future trends and issues related to architecture both nationally and internationally, and use this to create a programme that is visionary, inspirational and can have impact on the future of the built environment and the people that use it. Electric Picnic is an annual arts‐and‐music festival, which has been staged since 2004 in County Laois in Ireland. It is organised by Pod Concerts and Festival Republic, who purchased the majority shareholding in 2009.The Picnic has received widespread international acclaim, being described as "Ireland's version of Glastonbury" and is renowned for its vibrant arts and crafts programmes. The dedicated ‘Greencrafts’ area in the Global green highlight a sustainable approach to a wide range of traditional hand‐crafts while many of the large scale installations in the Body and Soul area are made using craft‐based techniques. Electric Picnic 2010 won several awards including the inaugural IMRO Music Festival of the Year Award and Best Medium Sized Festival in Europe at the European Festival Awards. The US magazine Billboard describes it as "a magnificent rock n roll circus, a textbook example of everything a festival should be" and Rolling Stone states it is "one of the best festivals we've ever been to". 4 2) Process of Collaboration This competition has been developed in order to highlight the overlaps and synergies between the fields of craft and architecture. Throughout history skilled craftspeople have worked closely with architects to realise landmark buildings encapsulating exquisite design and attention to detail. Perhaps most recognised is the collaboration between William Morris and architect Phillip Webb in the UK during the arts and crafts movement. The Modernist era brought to bear many design and craft movements through the work of Eileen Gray, Pierre Chareau in Paris, de Stil and the Bauhaus, and or course, Charles and Ray Eames. Work by architects Frank Lloyd Wright and Eero Saarinen furniture designers in their own right show a mastery and awareness of material. More recently the big budget, dramatic architectural sculpting of form and attention to surface detail by architects such as Frank Gehry and Daniel Libeskind or designers such as Thomas Heatherwick have all referenced a craft aesthetic. The incredible craftsmanship in the work of Joseph Walsh is recognised by South American architect Rafael Vinoly who purchased a table from the ‘Enignum’ series at the opening of the Design Miami fair earlier this year. More modest budgets can create impact, like in 2006 a temporary structure designed by 6a architects and Eley Kishimoto fashion designers in London, the HAIRYWOOD project played with ideas of defining space and creating place through the interaction of architecture and fashion. This said, increased advances in technology, the prevalence of CAD programmes and ease of access to mechanised production have facilitated a shift away from skills based learning and collaboration over the past few decades. During the boom time, in particular for architects, values such as quality of materials, of design, attention to detail, of the unique and the handmade were pushed aside as quantity, deadlines and budgets became the dominant factors. ‘Craftitecture’ is an opportunity to reconnect the disciplines of craft and architecture. To explore in partnership the unique vision and skills that each architect and crafts people team brings to bear. To experiment with materials, to learn from each other and to create an innovative and inviting space that reflects the best of both worlds. 5 3) Site/Area The site is non‐specific vis a vis dimensions; it is basically a grass plot on which the pavilion of no more than 40m2 will be situated. Exact site location will be determined once the successful proposal has been selected. 6 4) Design Requirements Aesthetics ‐The pavilion must demonstrate a union between the craft of design and use of materials, in relation to form and function. ‐Incorporate the use of recycled / sustainable materials wherever possible ‐ The pavilion must be innovative and demonstrate the contemporary field of design in both craft and architecture. Technical The Pavilion structure must conform to the following technical requirements: - A space with at least 2 entrances, that can be secured and locked at night - Space up to 40 people seated for events, approx 40m2 - Suitable for outdoors and all weather conditions. - Suitable structure to be erected safely on all surfaces (soil, concrete, tarmac) - The structure must conform to public safety and have regard to Heath and Safety issues. ‐ A structure that could be easily installed and de‐installed - Ease of assembly is important - Easily transported and stored. - Provision for use and consideration of external appearance during both day and night. - Possible provision of a Platform/stage/performance area and display area - Include possibilities for branding of CCoI and IAF. - The design life of the pavilion should run for minimum until the end of Year of Craft 2011, and the structure should be made to withstand 4/5 assemblies. Budget and Funding For the purposes of the competition, entrants should work to a maximum budget of €16,500 Breakdown: €12,500 for construction, materials, installation, on‐site project build manager €4,000 fee will be paid to the architect and craft person team Proposals need not be fully costed, but inclusion of an outline budget is mandatory and designs must be realistic in relation to the budget. Team Responsibilities The winning team will project manage the build, installation and de‐installation in consultation with a representative appointed by the Crafts Council of Ireland. A number of site visits will be required. Responsibilities include sourcing materials, management of the construction team and budget, regular communication with CCoI, IAF, and representatives of the Electric Picnic. The winning team must provide a method statement, risk assessment and Health & Safety policy. A fire retardant cert will be required for any cloth/drapes. 7 Timescale Competition Competition launch Wednesday 6 April 2011 Questions Deadline Tuesday 12 April 2011 at 12 noon Answers Circulated Wednesday 20 April 2011 Submission Deadline Thursday 12 May 2011 at 12 noon Assessment/ Shortlist Tuesday 17 May 2011 Interview Wednesday 18 May 2011 5) Competition Client body The competition is funded by CCoI as part of Year of Craft 2011 events in partnership with the IAF. Competition format The process will be as follows: - Proposals are invited from collaborative teams of RIAI registered architect(s) and registered craft person(s). - There will be a Q+A period, all questions will be answered and circulated to all parties who submitted a question by the IAF. - The Jury (TBC) will comprise of CCoI and IAF representatives

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