The Bohemian Flats is a historic parcel of land located on the Mississippi River's west bank south of the I-35W bridge and directly under the Washington Avenue bridge in Minneapolis, MN. It was once a populous "shanty town" for European immigrants working in the Minneapolis flour mills. However, since the late 1950's the site has been a grassy, open park for the city.

Thousands of people commute by the small swath of land everyday by foot, bike, car and boat. However there is no formal structure or landmark at the Bohemian Flats Park to call out to everyone passing by. This competition is seeking a solution to that problem.

By locating a small park pavilion and boathouse at the Bohemian Flats Park, the site will once again become the destination for the city's residents and visitors. In addition to the boathouse, landscape planning and additional signage may be implemented within the design.

By utilizing vinyl building products in the design of the new Bohemian Flats Boathouse, designers will be able to ensure the building is not only cost effective, but energy efficient and resistant to the drastic climate changes, among the other benefits offered by vinyl building products. In developing an efficient and creatively designed facility, the boathouse may endure as a landmark on the river front for years to come.

Sponsored by The Vinyl Institute and administered by the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), the program challenges students to learn about building materials, specifically vinyl building products and systems in the design of an efficient and creative boathouse for the Bohemian Flats Park in Minneapolis, MN. The competition is designed for architecture and design students of all levels. Total prize money is $7,675, including $2,500 for the first place winning design.

The objectives of this competition are:

• To encourage and reward design excellence at a small-scale, which integrates function, aesthetics, structure, details and fun
• To research, respond to and highlight the unique aspects of designing a boathouse that serves the selected site and community
• To build knowledge about materials, products, and assembly (primarily vinyl building products) contributing to sustainable and safe design
• To implement the "Connections" theme of the AIAS FORUM 2009 in Minneapolis into the creation of the boathouse, allowing the structure to serve as a public setting
• To encourage designers to employ sustainable design principles in all design work

Competition participants will have the opportunity to:

• Investigate applications for both existing and new construction materials with the goal of contributing to sustainability
• Change perceptions of vinyl building products
• Develop an awareness of the recyclable nature of vinyl building materials
• Develop an awareness of the comprehensive life-cycle criteria to be used in the evaluation of all building materials
• Investigate new building materials, systems, and methodologies
• Understand the impacts of construction methods, joinery, and material choices on function and aesthetics

Additional information on the site can be found on the resources page or in the quick links to the right.

Contact the AIAS Office to find out more about the competition or learn how you can sponsor your own student design competition.

1735 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006

T 202.626.7472

F 202.626.7414

competitions@aias.org

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