Launch of Make Bethnal Green : RIBA Part 2 Student Open Ideas Competition

RIBA Competitions is pleased to announce the launch of Affinity Sutton’s 2009 Design Challenge - Make Bethnal Green.

With a portfolio of over 54,000 dwellings, Affinity Sutton is one of the largest providers of affordable homes in the country. Designed by Victorian architects Joseph & Smithem, Affinity Sutton’s Bethnal Green Estate celebrates its one hundredth birthday this year. It was one of Europe’s first charitable social housing developments, offering an escape from London’s East End slums and a decent home for its inhabitants. Bethnal Green has survived the rigours of time (including two World Wars) well, and remains a fundamental part of Affinity Sutton’s affordable housing portfolio.

The competition is open to Part 2 architectural students who are enrolled on (or have recently completed) an RIBA validated course at a UK based School of Architecture. Students are challenged to generate design ideas which would make a positive contribution to the environment and Make Bethnal Green. What could be built on the same site today, taking into consideration the 21st Century sustainability agenda, modern building techniques and architectural approaches, together with the financial constraints of the affordable housing sector?

As well as providing an opportunity to showcase design ideas to the affordable housing audience, (up to) ten finalists will be invited to finesse their proposals during a week-long placement with one of Affinity Sutton’s architect partners. These will take place during the Easter 2010 recess and include some of the leading practices working within this sector in the UK. The overall Winner of the competition will be offered a year’s Stage 2 Professional Experience with one (or possibly more than one) of these architect partners, with Affinity Sutton contributing £19,000 towards the cost of the placement. It is anticipated that the Winner’s placement will be taken up between July 2010 and June 2011, with the student employed by the architect/s for the period of the placement.

For details of how to register for Make Bethnal Green and to view the full Competition Brief please visit http://www.makebethnalgreen.com Please note that registrations will close on 3 February 2010, and the deadline for the anonymous Stage 1 design submissions is 2.00pm on 10 February 2010.