Aldgate Competition Q&A
All questions should be emailed to the AF by Monday 10 May 2010.
All questions and answers will be made public and posted below.
The AF will not respond to inquiries by telephone or to any entrants on an individual basis.
Entrants must not contact The AF, the Worshipful Company of Architects, the City of London, any of the project consultants, or any members of the competition Jury during the competition period.
Q:I think our team would come up with something fantastic. However, we think we have enough creativity in there already without a token architect. Is there a way in which you can open up the rules to allow many more talented design people to enter.
A: The Architecture Foundation would like to broaden the requirements to the following: Each team must contain at least one member with a professional qualification (ARB, CEng or similar). Evidence of this qualification must be submitted with the entry.
Q: The Competition states that it is open to architects, artists, designers etc, but if entering as a team at least one member should by a fully qualified Architect. Does this mean that if entering as an individual the entrant must be a fully qualified Architect, or can Artists and Designers enter individually?
A: Each team must contain at least one member with a professional qualification. Evidence of this qualification must be submitted with the entry. If entries are made by individuals, the individual must be registered with an appropriate body (ARB, CEng or similar).
Q:We have many questions about the brief, to whom could we address them and until what date?
A: All questions should be emailed to aldagte@architecturefoundation.org.uk by Monday 10 May 2010.
Q: I was wondering if you could tell me if I was eligible to enter the Aldgate competition, as I am currently unemployed and looking for a Part I Placement.
A: Each team must contain at least one member with a professional qualification. Evidence of this qualification must be submitted with the entry. If entries are made by individuals, the individual must be registered with an appropriate body (ARB, CEng or similar).
Q: Is it possible to send the entries as A1 sheets on strang paper rolled (this eases postage considerably and risks of damage are minimised).
A: All entries must include 2 x A1 boards. Paper entries will not be accepted.
Q: for the hand-in date, is it the postal stamp that counts? (this is important for entries sent from outside the UK).
A: All entries must be received at The Architecture Foundation by 12 noon on Friday 28 May 2010.
Q: In the brief document (under 3.4 Submission requirements), it says '2 x A1 boards' but in the registration form, it shows '3 rigid A1 boards'. Which one is correct?
A: Submissions should include 2 rigid A1 boards.
Q: Can I hand in directly to the competition address?
A: Entries will be accepted at the competition address up until 12 noon on Friday 28 May 2010.
Q: In the brief, it only says; It is desired that the new Aldgate landmark serve a functional purpose or amenity as well as providing a transient moment of delight. This could encompass seating, framing of views, provision of soft landscaping, signposting or other amenities. Is there any specific program required? or it's all dependant on the proposal?
A: This is dependant upon the proposal.
Q: Is there any height limitation?
A: Height limitations should based upon structural viability.
Q: Text should be concise and clear, using bullet points where possible. It is recommended that submissions contain more than 500 words in total. It means ' text should be concise' but more than 500 words?
A: This is a misprint. Text should be concise and contain 'no more than 500 words' in total.
Q: Should A1 boards be in landscape format or portrait format?
A: Boards can be submitted in either landscape or portrait format.
Q: Does the registered Architect team member have to be a UK registered Architect or can they be a registered architect in another country, for example Australia?
A: The registered team member can be a registered architect in any country, for example Australia.
Q: I am part of a team of landscape architects interested in the Aldgate competition. Going through the brief I noticed that landscape architects are not mentioned in the list of professions under 3.8. Eligibility and that every team must contain at least one fully qualified architect. Is the competition open to landscape architects, and if yes, does it still require an architect if these are fully qualified?
A: A fully qualified landscape architect is eligible to enter the competition.
Q: As it's an international Competition, how would you define the 'fully qualified architect'? For example, I have 'SBA', am I eligible as a fully qualified architect?
A: An SBA is recognised as acceptable, as an international qualification.
Q: Could you please tell me if licensed architects registered with the American Institute of Architects would satisfy the professional qualification requirement?
A: An AIA registration is recognised as acceptable, as an international qualification.
Q: Please could you confirm the deadline for the registration fee.
A: The final date to make payment for registration will be Thursday 27 May 2010.
Q: I Just made the payment for the architectural competition and would like to know if I need to send the registration form?? Is it at the same time when I send the submission or is it like now?
A: The registration form should be sent with the submission.
Q: Could you please confirm if an architect registered with Association of Siamese Architects (ASA) in Thailand is qualified to enter the Aldgate competition? And if so do I need to provide an English translation of my registration when submitting the design entry?
A: This is accepted as an international qualification. Please provide detils of registration with your submission.
Q: How are we supposed to communicate with the engineering company? Through e-mail?
A: Entrants should not communicate with any of the competition consultants, prior to appointment.
Q: How technical may the questions that we may want to ask the companies such as Jackson Coles or Gifford engineer be? By that I mean that if, for example, we show the people at Gifford our plans in order to obtain structural guidance the anonimity of the elaborating team is in jeopardy, am I right?
A: Entrants should not communicate with any of the competition consultants, prior to appointment.
Q: Are the dimensions of the underground rooms that British Telecom uses traceable?
A: This information is currently not available.
Q: How may we pack everything in order for the outer layer of the package not to be considered a sign and get disqualified?
A: The packaging of each entry will be removed before submissions are seen by the Jury.
Q: What will be the rigid boards be made of? Is foam-board ok?
A: Foam board is acceptable.
Q: What exactly do you mean by "bound report up to 10 sides A4"? If this is about the explanatory text, is 10 sides A4 not too much for just 500 words?
A: This report should be made up of up to 500 words of text, with accompanying images.
Q: What should we complete in the registration form where it says "Practice name"? Can I not involve in this if I am just an employed architect and decide to work at it alone?
A: This will be the name that will be publicised in association with the submission, if the project is selected for shortlisting. If submitting as an individual, this can be your name.
Q: Is it teams-only or single architects may participate also?
A: The competition is open to both teams, and individuals.
Q: Do teams have to be constituted in a "company"?
A: Individuals are eligible to enter. If entries are made by individuals, the individual must be registered with an appropriate body (ARB, CEng or similar).
Q: What should we fill this area in the form with: "Registration name with appropriate registration body"?
A: This should include details of the appropriate registration body, ARB, CEng or similar.
Q: If the team comprises more that one member where in the registration form will the other names be mentioned, if there is a place designated for this that is.
A: If a team comprises more than one entrant, you should designate a key contact whose details should be provided, who will receive all correspondence.
Q: Is the online payment mandatory through PayPal or will it work directly via credit-card?
A: You can make a payment with a credit card through the Paypal link.
Q: Before the envelope containing the form and the 2 boards along with the explanatory text are separated, I assume it is you who will give them a serial number in order to establish a link between them, am I right?
A: The competition organisers will separate registration forms from entries internally once received, where they will be assigned a submission number.
Q: The cost estimation for the build should be in the form of a detailed Excel table, is this correct?
A: Cost estimations can be displayed in any way which communicates information effectively.
Q: If I am a graduate architect and have gotten my architecture diploma in Romania, is a copy of my diploma enough as a proof of my qualification?
A: Each team must contain at least one member with a professional qualification. Evidence of this qualification must be submitted with the entry. If entries are made by individuals, the individual must be registered with an appropriate body (ARB, CEng or similar).
Q: Where can we obtain the exact dimensions of the site in a vectorial format?
A: Scale plans of the site have been uploaded here.
Q: In case of proposals that involve kinematic structures animations are an appropriate and useful way of making a project understandable. Therefore we would like to know if animations on CD-ROM will be considered by the jury as long as they are supplementary to the equested materials/documents as requested in the competition brief.
A: Key supplementary animations will be considered by the Jury.
Q: The brief calls for proposals with a minimum lifespan of one year. Regarding the outline project budget maintenance is to be included for a standard 5 year period though. This seems to be a discrepancy. Please comment on that.
A: The structure will be in place for at least one year. After this point there may be plans to relocate the structure, so a standard 5 year plan for maintenance should be addressed in proposals.
Q: Can we plan the board being horizontally or vertically stacked?
A: The jury will except boards with either horizontal, or vertical layouts.
Q: How can we keep anonymity at the boards, report and CD-ROM? Should we give the boards any number?
A: Please send your registration form alongside your submission. The competition organisers will internally assign your submission a number upon delivery, and detach the registration form before presentation to the Jury.
Q: In case of team entry:
- Should each entrant fill in his own registration form?
- Should each entrant pay the submission or only the team leader?
- If there is a team leader should it be the qualified architect?
A: Each team should fill out one registration form to submit alongside an entry. Only one registration fee is needed per submission. The ‘Team leader' should put their contact details on the registration form, alongside any supporting registration details.
Q: When I send submission from the foreign countries, is the delay of the delivery by the eruption of the Iceland volcano disqualified?
A: All submissions must be received by 12noon on 28 May 2010. No exceptions will be made.
Q: Many international competitions and award schemes are now being judged on digital submissions. Would it not be fair and reasonable-especially given the current financial climate-for entries to be assessed on a digital basis and the for the 2xA1 boards boards to be provided by those short-listed. Just think of the amount of waste in paper/energy/money not to mention carbon tied up in getting these board to you via post/air mail/courier.
A: A selection of the boards will be displayed in an exhibition to take place during the London Festival of Architecture 2010, therefore we will need to receive boards from all entrants.
Q: Can I submit 1 A1 board only if I am able to?
A: All submissions will be accepted, however the Jury will expect to see the minimum requirements as stated in the brief.
Q: Please specify the length and width of the plot in meters.
A: Scale plans of the site have been uploaded here
Q: I made the payment for the architectural competition and would like to know if I need to send the registration form?? Is it at the same time when I send the submission?? And how will I know my registration number if I haven't got any??
A: Please send your registration form alongside your submission. The competition organisers will internally assign your submission a number upon delivery, and detach the registration form before presentation to the Jury.
Q: Our solution implies bringing the level of the triangular plot down to the street level. Street-crossers` safety will not be jeopardised, as we have a solution for this problem. Is this allowed?
A: All submissions will be accepted.
Q: In regards to eligibility for the "New Landmark for Aldgate" Competition, I am an unlicensed architect in the United States with a M.Arch. degree. Does my professional degree qualify me for entry into the competition?
A: At least one member of the team must be registered with an appropriate body (ARB, CEng or similar).
Q: Is it possible to extend the proposed area?
A: Submissions should show designs that fit within the proposed site.
Q: What does an entrant need to be a qualified architect? Is it enough to send a document attesting the professional association membership? Is admitted the Italian architects association?
A: At least one member of the team must be registered with an appropriate body (ARB, CEng or similar).
Q: Where must be registered architect from the Russian federation?(Maybe in the Union of Architects of Russia).Organizations similar to ARB in Russia do not exist. License to possess only legal entities. You register a company with a Russian license?
A: Companies with a Russian Licence are eligible.
Q: I would like to know if in the proposal I need to send a structural report with some engineering consulting, and if I also need to send a cost report about the budget?
A: Submissions should show an awareness of engineering issues, however a full structural report, though useful, is not necessary.
Q:Our team is made of three persons: (two "fully qualified architects" and one artist). Should only the team leader fill and sign the registration form? Where the other two names must appear?
A: Only the ‘Team leader' should put their contact details on the registration form. The other two names do not need to be declared at this point.
Q: "Each team must contain at least one fully qualified architect, and evidence of this qualification must be submitted with the entry." The documents that evidence the qualification must be placed in the same sealed A4 envelope of the Registration form or in another one separated?
A: These should be in the same envelope.
Q: Myself and my friend as two Architects, are going to intend in to international competition to design a "New Landmark for Aldgate ". We have prepared one project together for above propose, and we want to submit this project to competition. The question is, whether one Registration Form with one payment for me and my friend should submit or, two Registration forms with two payments, one for me and one for my friend should submit ?
A: One entry requires only one registration form and one payment.
Q: We are sending our project with DHL to you; Is there any custom matters in " London Duty Office " about such a packages? We are worry about the time concerning to take place for delivering the package to you.
A: There should be no issues.
Q: What do you mean by submission deadline? The date of submiting to DHL or the date of delivering to you?
A: All entries must be received at The Architecture Foundation by 12 noon on Friday 28 May 2010.
Q: The date of May 28 as date refers to delivery of projects or at the end of recordings?
A: All entries must be received at The Architecture Foundation by 12 noon on Friday 28 May 2010.
All questions should be emailed to the AF by Monday 10 May 2010.
All questions and answers will be made public and posted below.
The AF will not respond to inquiries by telephone or to any entrants on an individual basis.
Entrants must not contact The AF, the Worshipful Company of Architects, the City of London, any of the project consultants, or any members of the competition Jury during the competition period.
Q:I think our team would come up with something fantastic. However, we think we have enough creativity in there already without a token architect. Is there a way in which you can open up the rules to allow many more talented design people to enter.
A: The Architecture Foundation would like to broaden the requirements to the following: Each team must contain at least one member with a professional qualification (ARB, CEng or similar). Evidence of this qualification must be submitted with the entry.
Q: The Competition states that it is open to architects, artists, designers etc, but if entering as a team at least one member should by a fully qualified Architect. Does this mean that if entering as an individual the entrant must be a fully qualified Architect, or can Artists and Designers enter individually?
A: Each team must contain at least one member with a professional qualification. Evidence of this qualification must be submitted with the entry. If entries are made by individuals, the individual must be registered with an appropriate body (ARB, CEng or similar).
Q:We have many questions about the brief, to whom could we address them and until what date?
A: All questions should be emailed to aldagte@architecturefoundation.org.uk by Monday 10 May 2010.
Q: I was wondering if you could tell me if I was eligible to enter the Aldgate competition, as I am currently unemployed and looking for a Part I Placement.
A: Each team must contain at least one member with a professional qualification. Evidence of this qualification must be submitted with the entry. If entries are made by individuals, the individual must be registered with an appropriate body (ARB, CEng or similar).
Q: Is it possible to send the entries as A1 sheets on strang paper rolled (this eases postage considerably and risks of damage are minimised).
A: All entries must include 2 x A1 boards. Paper entries will not be accepted.
Q: for the hand-in date, is it the postal stamp that counts? (this is important for entries sent from outside the UK).
A: All entries must be received at The Architecture Foundation by 12 noon on Friday 28 May 2010.
Q: In the brief document (under 3.4 Submission requirements), it says '2 x A1 boards' but in the registration form, it shows '3 rigid A1 boards'. Which one is correct?
A: Submissions should include 2 rigid A1 boards.
Q: Can I hand in directly to the competition address?
A: Entries will be accepted at the competition address up until 12 noon on Friday 28 May 2010.
Q: In the brief, it only says; It is desired that the new Aldgate landmark serve a functional purpose or amenity as well as providing a transient moment of delight. This could encompass seating, framing of views, provision of soft landscaping, signposting or other amenities. Is there any specific program required? or it's all dependant on the proposal?
A: This is dependant upon the proposal.
Q: Is there any height limitation?
A: Height limitations should based upon structural viability.
Q: Text should be concise and clear, using bullet points where possible. It is recommended that submissions contain more than 500 words in total. It means ' text should be concise' but more than 500 words?
A: This is a misprint. Text should be concise and contain 'no more than 500 words' in total.
Q: Should A1 boards be in landscape format or portrait format?
A: Boards can be submitted in either landscape or portrait format.
Q: Does the registered Architect team member have to be a UK registered Architect or can they be a registered architect in another country, for example Australia?
A: The registered team member can be a registered architect in any country, for example Australia.
Q: I am part of a team of landscape architects interested in the Aldgate competition. Going through the brief I noticed that landscape architects are not mentioned in the list of professions under 3.8. Eligibility and that every team must contain at least one fully qualified architect. Is the competition open to landscape architects, and if yes, does it still require an architect if these are fully qualified?
A: A fully qualified landscape architect is eligible to enter the competition.
Q: As it's an international Competition, how would you define the 'fully qualified architect'? For example, I have 'SBA', am I eligible as a fully qualified architect?
A: An SBA is recognised as acceptable, as an international qualification.
Q: Could you please tell me if licensed architects registered with the American Institute of Architects would satisfy the professional qualification requirement?
A: An AIA registration is recognised as acceptable, as an international qualification.
Q: Please could you confirm the deadline for the registration fee.
A: The final date to make payment for registration will be Thursday 27 May 2010.
Q: I Just made the payment for the architectural competition and would like to know if I need to send the registration form?? Is it at the same time when I send the submission or is it like now?
A: The registration form should be sent with the submission.
Q: Could you please confirm if an architect registered with Association of Siamese Architects (ASA) in Thailand is qualified to enter the Aldgate competition? And if so do I need to provide an English translation of my registration when submitting the design entry?
A: This is accepted as an international qualification. Please provide detils of registration with your submission.
Q: How are we supposed to communicate with the engineering company? Through e-mail?
A: Entrants should not communicate with any of the competition consultants, prior to appointment.
Q: How technical may the questions that we may want to ask the companies such as Jackson Coles or Gifford engineer be? By that I mean that if, for example, we show the people at Gifford our plans in order to obtain structural guidance the anonimity of the elaborating team is in jeopardy, am I right?
A: Entrants should not communicate with any of the competition consultants, prior to appointment.
Q: Are the dimensions of the underground rooms that British Telecom uses traceable?
A: This information is currently not available.
Q: How may we pack everything in order for the outer layer of the package not to be considered a sign and get disqualified?
A: The packaging of each entry will be removed before submissions are seen by the Jury.
Q: What will be the rigid boards be made of? Is foam-board ok?
A: Foam board is acceptable.
Q: What exactly do you mean by "bound report up to 10 sides A4"? If this is about the explanatory text, is 10 sides A4 not too much for just 500 words?
A: This report should be made up of up to 500 words of text, with accompanying images.
Q: What should we complete in the registration form where it says "Practice name"? Can I not involve in this if I am just an employed architect and decide to work at it alone?
A: This will be the name that will be publicised in association with the submission, if the project is selected for shortlisting. If submitting as an individual, this can be your name.
Q: Is it teams-only or single architects may participate also?
A: The competition is open to both teams, and individuals.
Q: Do teams have to be constituted in a "company"?
A: Individuals are eligible to enter. If entries are made by individuals, the individual must be registered with an appropriate body (ARB, CEng or similar).
Q: What should we fill this area in the form with: "Registration name with appropriate registration body"?
A: This should include details of the appropriate registration body, ARB, CEng or similar.
Q: If the team comprises more that one member where in the registration form will the other names be mentioned, if there is a place designated for this that is.
A: If a team comprises more than one entrant, you should designate a key contact whose details should be provided, who will receive all correspondence.
Q: Is the online payment mandatory through PayPal or will it work directly via credit-card?
A: You can make a payment with a credit card through the Paypal link.
Q: Before the envelope containing the form and the 2 boards along with the explanatory text are separated, I assume it is you who will give them a serial number in order to establish a link between them, am I right?
A: The competition organisers will separate registration forms from entries internally once received, where they will be assigned a submission number.
Q: The cost estimation for the build should be in the form of a detailed Excel table, is this correct?
A: Cost estimations can be displayed in any way which communicates information effectively.
Q: If I am a graduate architect and have gotten my architecture diploma in Romania, is a copy of my diploma enough as a proof of my qualification?
A: Each team must contain at least one member with a professional qualification. Evidence of this qualification must be submitted with the entry. If entries are made by individuals, the individual must be registered with an appropriate body (ARB, CEng or similar).
Q: Where can we obtain the exact dimensions of the site in a vectorial format?
A: Scale plans of the site have been uploaded here.
Q: In case of proposals that involve kinematic structures animations are an appropriate and useful way of making a project understandable. Therefore we would like to know if animations on CD-ROM will be considered by the jury as long as they are supplementary to the equested materials/documents as requested in the competition brief.
A: Key supplementary animations will be considered by the Jury.
Q: The brief calls for proposals with a minimum lifespan of one year. Regarding the outline project budget maintenance is to be included for a standard 5 year period though. This seems to be a discrepancy. Please comment on that.
A: The structure will be in place for at least one year. After this point there may be plans to relocate the structure, so a standard 5 year plan for maintenance should be addressed in proposals.
Q: Can we plan the board being horizontally or vertically stacked?
A: The jury will except boards with either horizontal, or vertical layouts.
Q: How can we keep anonymity at the boards, report and CD-ROM? Should we give the boards any number?
A: Please send your registration form alongside your submission. The competition organisers will internally assign your submission a number upon delivery, and detach the registration form before presentation to the Jury.
Q: In case of team entry:
- Should each entrant fill in his own registration form?
- Should each entrant pay the submission or only the team leader?
- If there is a team leader should it be the qualified architect?
A: Each team should fill out one registration form to submit alongside an entry. Only one registration fee is needed per submission. The ‘Team leader' should put their contact details on the registration form, alongside any supporting registration details.
Q: When I send submission from the foreign countries, is the delay of the delivery by the eruption of the Iceland volcano disqualified?
A: All submissions must be received by 12noon on 28 May 2010. No exceptions will be made.
Q: Many international competitions and award schemes are now being judged on digital submissions. Would it not be fair and reasonable-especially given the current financial climate-for entries to be assessed on a digital basis and the for the 2xA1 boards boards to be provided by those short-listed. Just think of the amount of waste in paper/energy/money not to mention carbon tied up in getting these board to you via post/air mail/courier.
A: A selection of the boards will be displayed in an exhibition to take place during the London Festival of Architecture 2010, therefore we will need to receive boards from all entrants.
Q: Can I submit 1 A1 board only if I am able to?
A: All submissions will be accepted, however the Jury will expect to see the minimum requirements as stated in the brief.
Q: Please specify the length and width of the plot in meters.
A: Scale plans of the site have been uploaded here
Q: I made the payment for the architectural competition and would like to know if I need to send the registration form?? Is it at the same time when I send the submission?? And how will I know my registration number if I haven't got any??
A: Please send your registration form alongside your submission. The competition organisers will internally assign your submission a number upon delivery, and detach the registration form before presentation to the Jury.
Q: Our solution implies bringing the level of the triangular plot down to the street level. Street-crossers` safety will not be jeopardised, as we have a solution for this problem. Is this allowed?
A: All submissions will be accepted.
Q: In regards to eligibility for the "New Landmark for Aldgate" Competition, I am an unlicensed architect in the United States with a M.Arch. degree. Does my professional degree qualify me for entry into the competition?
A: At least one member of the team must be registered with an appropriate body (ARB, CEng or similar).
Q: Is it possible to extend the proposed area?
A: Submissions should show designs that fit within the proposed site.
Q: What does an entrant need to be a qualified architect? Is it enough to send a document attesting the professional association membership? Is admitted the Italian architects association?
A: At least one member of the team must be registered with an appropriate body (ARB, CEng or similar).
Q: Where must be registered architect from the Russian federation?(Maybe in the Union of Architects of Russia).Organizations similar to ARB in Russia do not exist. License to possess only legal entities. You register a company with a Russian license?
A: Companies with a Russian Licence are eligible.
Q: I would like to know if in the proposal I need to send a structural report with some engineering consulting, and if I also need to send a cost report about the budget?
A: Submissions should show an awareness of engineering issues, however a full structural report, though useful, is not necessary.
Q:Our team is made of three persons: (two "fully qualified architects" and one artist). Should only the team leader fill and sign the registration form? Where the other two names must appear?
A: Only the ‘Team leader' should put their contact details on the registration form. The other two names do not need to be declared at this point.
Q: "Each team must contain at least one fully qualified architect, and evidence of this qualification must be submitted with the entry." The documents that evidence the qualification must be placed in the same sealed A4 envelope of the Registration form or in another one separated?
A: These should be in the same envelope.
Q: Myself and my friend as two Architects, are going to intend in to international competition to design a "New Landmark for Aldgate ". We have prepared one project together for above propose, and we want to submit this project to competition. The question is, whether one Registration Form with one payment for me and my friend should submit or, two Registration forms with two payments, one for me and one for my friend should submit ?
A: One entry requires only one registration form and one payment.
Q: We are sending our project with DHL to you; Is there any custom matters in " London Duty Office " about such a packages? We are worry about the time concerning to take place for delivering the package to you.
A: There should be no issues.
Q: What do you mean by submission deadline? The date of submiting to DHL or the date of delivering to you?
A: All entries must be received at The Architecture Foundation by 12 noon on Friday 28 May 2010.
Q: The date of May 28 as date refers to delivery of projects or at the end of recordings?
A: All entries must be received at The Architecture Foundation by 12 noon on Friday 28 May 2010.
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