EXPLORING THE INFORMAL SPACE

Explanation:

Each urban area is often seen as an organic structure comprising various aspects such as society, culture, environment, economy, etc. However, along the Issues that can be clearly identified within the urban environment, there are also underlying informal elements. So, do these Informal elements in this urban structural system have a close relationship with other factors, or are they merely indicative of disorder?

Informal spaces are those that are not planned or regulated by a governing body, are places that are not formally designated for a specific purpose, but are instead used by people for a variety of activities. Informal spaces can be found in both urban and rural areas, and they can be both public and private. They can be found in all cities, but are often more common in developing countries like Vietnam.

Some examples of informal spaces include:

– Alleyways: Alleyways are often used for informal activities such as parking, loading and unloading, and storing goods.

– Underpasses: Underpasses are often used for informal activities such as skateboarding, graffiti, and sleeping.

– Spaces in between buildings, rooftops,…

Despite being often judged as unsafe and unsightly, informal spaces can play an important role in the urban ecosystem with a variety of benefits, such as increased biodiversity, improved air quality, reduced heat island effect, increased social interaction, increased resilience and so on. 

Is to explore the potential of informal spaces to contribute to urban ecology. Participants are asked to come up with architectural interventions that enhance the ecological benefits of informal spaces, while also addressing any challenges they may pose.

– Submissions are presented on one side of A0 size along the available template.

– Submissions must demonstrate:

• Analysis of the current status of the selected location for the project

• Design story

• Landscape layout

• Elevation

• Perspective sections

Note:

– Mandatory rendering method is computer

– Language: Vietnamese or English. (TOP 10 submissions in Round 2 will be required to submit an English version)

– Format: PDF or JPG

– File size: up to 20 Mb

– Resolution: 300 dpi

– Site: Participants are free to choose the site for their intervention. It can be an informal space in their own community or city, or it can be a site that they have researched.

– Scale: The scale of the intervention is flexible. However, participants are encouraged to consider the implications of their intervention at multiple scales, from the local to the global.

– Deliverables: Participants are required to submit a design proposal, including drawings, photos, models, and a written description of their intervention

– The submission must be named in format: Contestant’s name/ Name of group representative_ name of Design Work

– Access to Submit Submission button

– Fill in the required information. Note: Open access to the link to post contest entries for the Organizing Committee to access.

– Deadline for submitting entries: 11:59 p.m. October 29, 2023.

For valid entries, participants will receive confirmation emai from: totocorner@toto.com.

Round 1: Receive entries via the Online platform

– Time: 20/09/2023 – 23:59, 29/10/2023

Round 2: TOP 10 compete

– Time: 05/11/2023 – 20/11/2023

– TOP 10 will receive a sponsor of 2,000,000 VND/group to complete the project model and presentation video in English.

Round 3: Evaluate results

– Time: 21/11/2023 – 28/11/2023

– TOP 10 design work will be published on the TOTO Information Center fanpage and an online vote will be conducted to select the most popular works. 

Awards Ceremony and Exhibition

– Timeline: 02/12/2023 (TOTO Architect Talk 2023)

– Design work and models will be displayed at the TOTO Architect Talk 2023 space