SUSTAINABLE SUBURBS:

Design Competition


What do you imagine

when you see garage doors

facing suburban streets?

THE CHALLENGE: Create a design for the garage doors

that engages people in contemplating place and sustainability.

THE BACKGROUND:

“The American Suburbs” = design problem. Or place of potential?
Many have critiqued the key problems of suburbia.
Now’s your chance to make a statement about it, on a garage door.

Some trigger words:

Post-petroleum, urban metabolism, production/consumption, self-sufficiency, public sphere, symbol and metaphor, the wrapped gas station, garage band, apple computer, trompe de l’oeil.

Design considerations:

The design should be simple and evocative. Make it easy to carry out, using inexpensive materials (e.g. paint). The designer can help complete the work and will receive a modest stipend. It does not have to be absolutely flat but it should not interfere with movement of door. Each door is 8 ft. W X 6.5 ft. H.

Award:

The winning design will be displayed, on campus and/or on a website, and the designer will receive a modest stipend.

TO ENTER:

Submit two parts to describe your idea:

• the design (a visual image such as a sketch, a photo-shopped picture, etc.) and
• a narrative (a brief discussion of what it means, in essay form, 250 words max)

The contest winner will receive a cash prize ($50).

Send your proposals/designs to this address by May 15, 2009.

We are based in Syracuse, NY, and a panel of faculty and students from SUNY - ESF and Syracuse University will select the winner.

For more information contact:

Sustainable Suburbs Competition
smoran10@gmail.com