Questions

Q Can a practice submit 2 entries?

A Each practice should only commit themselves to one entry. If a practice has 2 strong concepts, the entry could show how both these concepts could be implemented (however this will obviously depend on the actual concepts).

Q There is an address, however for DHL to deliver; they request for a contact person’s name and tel. could u be kind enough to furnish.

A Contact: Deborah Sher 020 7253 3334

Q I am aware of anonymity requirements; however this could lead to human error. May we request that we be allowed to atleast put a company logo on the rear side of the boards? In addition you have requested that the registration forms and CV’s be put in a sealed A4 size envelope, hence do I assume that the boards need to be put in a separate sealed envelope. Could you please clarify.

A Please do not put your logo on the reverse. Each entry will be numbered (A4 statement and A4 boards) as it is accepted. No name must appear on the boards or A4 statement, (only in the separate sealed envelope with your practice details) The boards need not be in a sealed envelope. It is vital that the practice details are in a sealed envelope. 

Q Regarding the 1x 40’ or 2x 20’ containers which the structure will travel in:
Can these be offloaded from the trailer at a specific location and used either as part of the structure or as secure storage?
This would require a hi-ab crane or similar, which may not be allowed for in Lift’s touring budgets.

A The decision as to how to use the containers is down to the individual design teams. They may be used as part of the structure or for storage. We remind entrants of the need for this to be a functional and flexible space that represents value for money.

Q Will the container be owned by LIFT and can the container envelope be used as part of the temporary structure (ie, will LIFT crane the containers into position upon installation)?

A The container will be owned by Lift (and, as it says in the brief, it is budgeted separately). They may be used as part of the structure or for storage. We remind entrants of the need for this to be a functional and flexible space that represents value for money.

Q The brief clearly states that the Design Statement - as a separate element to the boards -  has a 400 word limit. Is additional text permitted on the presentation boards themselves i.e. annotation and /or descriptive passages?

A The design statement should be on a separate sheet and has a 400-word limit. The A3 boards can also contain text/words/annotations to assist the images.

Q  Due to the anonymous nature of the competition, the brief says that previous projects cannot be shown. Is that a veto merely on previous projects carried out by the entrants, or on any previous authored architectural project - as opposed to found objects/trad unauthored structures?

A  Previous projects carried out by the entrant must not be shown.

Q The brief mentions a structural engineer will be made available to short-listed teams. Does this mean an engineer has been appointed, or can a winning team include an engineer?

A No, we haven't appointed an engineer, and yes you can include one.

Q The brief says the final design will come from an ‘artist led’ public participation process. Has LIFT commissioned an artist or can the short-listed team have an artist/writer/performer included?

A Each group of participants will have a Lift appointed artist facilitator, who will be drawn from different media (film, music, digital art etc). We would welcome the involvement of artists within design teams.

Q The brief states that you can use either 2 x 20 ft containers or 1 x 40 ft container for storage. Is it possible to specify 4 x 10 ft containers for storage?

A  The short answer is no;  ‘container’ refers to an ISO certified container which can be transported and freighted. These come in 3 sizes: 20, 40 and 45 and have certain structural properties which allow them to be handled by crane and fork lift, and they fit onto standard road trailers without being either too high or too wide; they can also be sea freighted. The structure should fit into either 2 x 20ft or 1 x 40ft ISO certified container.

Q Is it mandatory or sensible to provide cover in case of rain for those 200 people? Is it mandatory or sensible to provide a water tight volume to inhabit those 200 people?

A The structure will be travelling around the UK therefore should provide protection against water and wind.

Q Is it mandatory or sensible to provide an insulated volume for 200 people as the brief asks for some kind of heating/cooling system?

A Given the temporary nature of the building, comfort cooling may be a better solution than air conditioning. Entrants should also consider energy efficient methods of controlling temperature.

Q Is there any flexibility in the deadlines published in the website?

A  Unfortunately there is no flexibility with the deadline, however the submission requirements are low in order to limit the amount of work involved for the entrant.

Q: Please advise if the LIFT competition is an International competition open to Teams not based in London/UK.

A: See Brief: Eligibility. The competition is open to UK and to non-UK designers with a UK base. The winning team will need to have an ongoing presence in London and travel at their own expense.

All questions to:competition@architecturefoundation.org.uk

Questions will be updated regularly throughout the competition period.