For projects which are still in their concept stage, where innovative planning solutions have been identified through which existing challenges in a given space may be addressed. The plan needs to highlight the likely positive impact it may create on the environmental quality of a place and the beneficial social impacts it has the potential to bring about.
Eligibility Criteria
• The projects must not have a development application that is being processed or is covered by a development permission.
Compulsory Entry Requirements
• Drawings and images of the proposed design; Details of proposed features that have the potential to raise the sustainability credentials of the project and its surroundings by contributing to national and local economic, social and environmental goals;
• Details of how the project fits within the overall context and the transition between the project and its surroundings (consideration will be given to aesthetics and visual impact, contribution to local wellbeing, enhancement of the local economic climate, environmental impact)
• What measures are proposed to reduce the project’s overall environmental impact.
Judging Criteria
- Form: Through its spatial layout, materiality, and detailing, is the proposed project clearly recognizable and relevant in its response to its site, audience and intent?
- Function: Does the design positively contribute to making the project work well for the intended use, including for its client, users, and the public at large?
- Technical: Is the concept project technically viable and feasible? Does it provide technical solutions that meet the project’s objectives
- Environmental consideration: What active and passive means are being proposed to make the concept project more efficient in the use of energy and minimise the negative impacts on the ecological environment? Does the design respond to climatic challenges?
- Innovative: Does the project have originality of concept and thinking? Will the design enable the project to take a fresh approach? Does it work to improve existing practices? Does it push material and conceptual boundaries? To what extent were the users or community included in the design process? Was there an element of public participation?