The West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) has invited young local architects to conceive an eye-catching temporary pavilion for Hong Kong, with high-profile designers including Thomas Heatherwick, Sou Fujimoto and James Corner judging their efforts.

The inaugural Hong Kong Young Architects & Designers Competition is is intended as a platform for emerging architects and designers “to showcase their creativity and potential” and gain valuable experience.

The competition is open to all residents who are studying or have graduated in the fields of architecture, design or a related discipline in the last decade. Teams must propose a pavilion to be located inside West Kowloon’s Nursery Park, offering impressive harbour views and acting as an informal public space where members of the community can relax and where talks, workshops, small events and performances can be held.

The winners will pocket prize money totalling HK$250,000 (US$32,000, €30,000, £25,200) and see their design become reality. A total of HK$5m (US$643,000, €601,000, £504,200) has raised by the WKCDA to cover the cost of construction, with the pavilion scheduled to open in the first half of 2018.

“We envisage that this competition will become an annual event providing a crucial platform for innovative temporary architecture as part of the cultural offering in the district, while raising the profile and visibility of Hong Kong’s creative standing, locally, regionally and internationally,” said WKCDA CEO Duncan Pescod.

“We hope that over time, this competition will take its place alongside the many highly successful pavilion competitions held in cities like London, Melbourne and New York.”

A panel of 10 local and international experts will judge the submitted designs on their originality, innovation and suitability. The WKDA said particular attention will be given “to aspects of the design that will help reduce the environmental impact through innovation in the use of materials, the incorporation of green features, and considerations of recyclability.”

Three entries will be shortlisted for further development with the help of the WKCDA. One winner will then be selected, with the two runners-up receiving commendation prizes valued at HKD$100,000 (US$12,800, €12,000, £10,000) each.

The closing date for submission of conceptual entries is 26 June 2017. The shortlist will be revealed in July, with the announcement of the final winners following in September and construction on the pavilion beginning in December. Details on how to enter the competition can be found here.

Joining Heatherwick, Corner and Fujimoto on the judging panel will be Aric Chen, M+ lead curator of design and architecture; Mr Marvin Chen, president of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects; Chris Van Dujin, partner-in-charge of OMA Asia; and Marisa Yiu, co-founder of Design Trust Hong Kong.

Located on Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour, the West Kowloon Cultural District is one of the largest cultural projects in the world. A number of theatre, performance, museum and exhibition spaces are being created, in addition to 23 hectares of public open space, including a 2km waterfront promenade.

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