Mountain Guardian
Mountain Guardian
BRIEFThe aim of this competition is to creatively address the experience of living the high-altitude lands, exploring historical, marginal and extreme situations of the alpine environment, rethinking the canons of the relationship between man and nature, based on concepts such as responsibility, respect and sustainability. The project aims to explore a unique architectural typology – the bivouac – essentially based on a temporary accommodation in close connection with wild nature. Nowadays, it is commonly believed that living the high mountains should be intimately linked to a more contemporary design approach.
GUIDELINESThe competition involves the design of a self-sufficient bivouac for 8-10 people, located near the original site of “Rifugio Bernasconi” (Valfurva, Stelvio National Park), interpreting the essentiality of living in the mountains by reducing any superfluous comfort to the minimum. Intended primarily for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, the building will be designed as an autonomous and sustainable organism, proposing an alternative model to traditional bivouacs (often outdated), responding in the most innovative way to the critical issues of the place and to the needs of the new generations of mountaineers.
REQUESTED MATERIALParticipants must submit:• Two A1 panels (59,4 x 84,1 cm) landscape oriented.• A brief text describing the proposal (250-500 words).
JURYThe jury panel features distinguished architects:• Luciano Bertolina (Valfurva, Italy) | CAI Valfurva• Andrea Federico Toccolini (Tokyo, Japan) | Kengo Kuma & Associates• Matteo Ruta (Milan, Italy) | Arketipo + Polimi• Lula Ferrari (Milan, Italy) | Lula Ferrari Studio• Aldric Beckmann (Paris, France) | Aldric Beckmann Architectes• Martin Šenberger (Prague, Czech Republic) | Mar.s Architects• Yilin Zhang (San Francisco, United States)| STUDIOS Architecture• Alberto Cervesato (Udine, Italy) | UNIUD
SCHEDULE• Competition Opening: November 11th 2024• 79 € “Early” Registrations: November 11th – January 17th• 99 € “Standard” Registrations: January 17th – March 14th• 129 € “Late” Registrations: March 14th – April 11th• Submission Deadline: April 11th (3:00 pm CET)• Winners Announcement: May 12th 2025
The aim of this competition is to creatively address the experience of living the high-altitude lands, exploring historical, marginal and extreme situations of the alpine environment, rethinking the canons of the relationship between man and nature, based on concepts such as responsibility, respect and sustainability. The project aims to explore a unique architectural typology – the bivouac – essentially based on a temporary accommodation in close connection with wild nature. Nowadays, it is commonly believed that living the high mountains should be intimately linked to a more contemporary design approach.
Link to Registration form
PRIZES & MENTIONS• 1st Prize: 5.000€• 2nd Prize: 2.000€• 3rd Prize: 1.000€• 4 Golden Mentions: 500€ each• 10 Honorable Mentions: coupon for a free competition• 30 Finalists: published on TerraViva channels• All Participants: 10% discount on a Mapo Tapo travel
Open to the public/Minimum requirements (Open to anyone that complies with the requirements), Single stage (Winners selected immediately)
REQUIREMENTS & ELIGIBILITYThe competition is open to architects, landscape designers, interior designers, students, enthusiasts, engineers, artists, makers and anyone interested in the fields of architecture and design. Participants can join the competition either individually or with a team.
Registration Opens November 11, 2024Registration Closes April 11, 2025Deadline to Submit Project April 11, 2026Winners announcement Date May 12, 2025
Location of Project (if developed)
