INFORMATIONLayers of Design is launching a brand new and exciting competition that will look into developing temporary design solutions for people experiencing homelessness, an issue that is present all around us. There are so many reasons people become homeless. Many homeless people find it difficult to fit into society and feel unwelcomed. Public spaces should be a safe and fair space where all the members of a community can coexist together. This competition aims to bring positive strategies and scenarios that could aid people get back on their feet while transforming public spaces into becoming more energetic, engaging, and welcoming to all.

DESIGN BRIEFInterested participants will be challenged with creating simple, yet innovative solutions that are able to improve the current condition(s) of people experiencing homelessness in public spaces. These solutions can be anything from design installations, furniture pieces, artwork, small devices, etc. Keeping in mind that the issue of homelessness is a universal issue, participants should consider how their proposed ideas could be adapted in different parts of the world. If the question is how to do it, flexibility and malleability of use might be tactical features that can help competitors come up with concepts! The idea is to experiment with different notions through the application and implementation of versatile designs. Taking the current pandemic into consideration, the proposed solutions should explore how we can design public elements that can be utilized by all members of the community. Participants should be imaginative and propose design concepts that not only aid people experiencing homelessness, but also take public spaces to another level.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONSMust keep temporary structures in mindMust keep the homeless population in mindMust be interactiveMust activate public spaceMust keep pandemic restrictions/guidelines in mind

ELIGIBILITYThe competition is open to students, architects, designers, urbanists, engineers, artists, makers, activists and anyone interested in showcasing their solution to the issue at hand. Participants can join the competition either individually or with a team.

AWARDS1st Prize$100.0Website Publication, Certificate of AchievementExhibition at Miami Center for Architecture and Design

2nd Prize:$50.00Website Publication, Certificate of AchievementExhibition at Miami Center for Architecture and Design

3rd Prize:Website Publication, Certificate of AchievementExhibition at Miami Center for Architecture and Design

People’s Choice:Website Publication, Certificate of AchievementExhibition at Miami Center for Architecture and Design

REGISTRATIONEarly Registration: January 22 - March 7Late Registration: March 7 - April 4Registration Closes: April 4Design Submittal: April 4Winners Announced: April 17

After registration and payment are complete, we will send you a confirmation email with your registration number. This is the number that will be used to identify your entry.

PAYMENTProfessionalsEarly Registration: $20Late Registration: $25

StudentsEarly Registration: $15Late Registration: $20

SUBMISSION Participants must submit a 1 min 30 sec video showcasing your design solution. The intent behind this deliverable is to provide everybody a fair opportunity to tell us about your proposed solution’s best features in a creative, concise, and fun way. The video should cover any information the participants believe explain their project from concept to implementation. It should not include any faces as to keep the judging process fair, but rather any supporting documentation needed to create a strong argument for the proposed design.

The file name of the video must be your registration number. Your submittal email must include your registration number.

All videos must be submitted to: layersofdesign.co@gmail.com with the subject:"S000 - Rethinking Public Spaces" by April 4, Midnight- (UTC-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).

RESULTSThe five shortlisted finalists will be announced on April 11, 2021. Competition winners will be announced on April 17 during the virtual design seminar. All submissions will be available on this website.

FAQAll the questions related to the competition can be mailed to us at: layersofdesign.co@gmail.com with the subject: “FAQ – Rethinking Public Spaces”.