For many years people have linearly perceived the world. They wondered what was behind the horizon and followed their desires of land conquering until they clashed with someone else’s idea to do the same.

As the borders fluctuated, some areas appeared to be more desirable than others and the architecture had to maneuver its way to stack up growing masses. And while our imagination started to shoot up toward the sky, we sometimes seemed to have lost our way creating cramped, confined spaces that were more similar to coffins than areas where one would like to live. Thankfully, there is a better solution on the horizon (how ironic!) as skillful, innovative, and clever designs are navigating towards sustainable urban spaces that combine the best of compact, practical planning with agri-tecture.

Hong Kong and its challenges

Hong Kong is one of the most vibrant and dynamic cities in the world. Some view it as a skyscraper heaven full of lavish lifestyles, whereas some notice obstacles related to living in such high density. And while the city is still viewed as one of the wealthiest in the world, it faces several challenges.

Hong Kong’s most pressing issues are overpopulation, the housing crisis, air and water pollution, and a lack of sufficient food and energy supply, especially because its economy was severely damaged by the pandemic. Geographically, Hong Kong consists largely of steep hillsides. Since traditional farming requires a large amount of land the local production
is only able to complement the imported foods to meet the consumption needs. And because import intensifies the existing issues (cost of living and pollution) there is a growing demand for innovative and sustainable solutions that can help the city meet the needs of its residents

Design Challenge

This architecture competition is exclusively for architecture students and young architects and seeks to design a pioneering, self-sufficient residential skyscraper that utilizes the idea of vertical farming and addresses the challenges that Hong Kong faces nowadays. The designed building should provide a unique and cutting-edge living experience for its residents, fulfilling all the needs of modern societies and including innovative solutions to the challenges of urban agriculture and sustainable living. Moreover, It should be a visually striking and memorable building, with a strong connection to the surrounding city and a sense of place.

Moreover, We would like to encourage all participants to search for universal ideas that could be also implemented in other cities. Look for concepts that can be beneficial in many different locations and rethink how contemporary high-rise buildings are supposed to look, work and influence modern cities and their inhabitants.

Schedule & Fees

Early Birds Registration      March 15 – April 16 | $99, students $79

Regular Registration           April 17 – June 4 | $129, students $99

Late Registration                June 5 – June 25 | $139, students $119

Submission Deadline | June 25
Shortlist Announcement (20) | July 15
Finalists Announcement | July 30
Results Announcement | August 20

Jury

Ryohei Koike – BIG

Cosimo Scotucci – MVRDV

Marc Juarez – Association for Vertical Farming,

Vice Chair
Norman Ung – DEFT

Awards

1st prize – $3,000
winning certificate, publication in social media, interviews &
articles on the sandbox.archi website, a copy of Architecture Competitions
Yearbook 2022

2nd Prize – $2,000
2nd place certificate, publication in social media, interviews &
articles on the sandbox.archi website, a copy of Architecture Competitions
Yearbook 2022

3rd prize – $1,000
3rd place certificate, publication in social media, interviews &
articles on the sandbox.archi website, a copy of Architecture Competitions
Yearbook 2022

Most resilient design – $200
a certificate, and a copy of the Architecture Competitions Yearbook 2022. For
those who will present the best ways of designing resilient structures.

Best urban design – $200
a certificate, and a copy of the Architecture Competitions Yearbook 2022. For
those whose design will be the best suited to the urban tissue.

7 Honorable mentions
Honorable mention certificates, publication.

10 finalists
Finalists certificates, publication.

REGISTER HERE >>> https://sandbox.archi/