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LE:NOTRE // The Akamas Landscape Competition

Submission: January 31, 2016
Registration: January 31, 2016
Language: English
Location: Akamas, Cyprus
Prizes: N/A
Type: Students & Young Architects

 

The LE:NOTRE International Student Competition aims to support integrated and holistic landscape approaches through multidisciplinary student teams elaborating planning and design proposals at various scales. This competition is implemented in close relation to the ‘Akamas Action Plan for Sustainable Development of the Pensinsula’ developed by the Akamas Peninsula Project (A. Theodosiou).

Tourism is Cyprus has typically developed along its coasts with the consequence of concentrating both environmental impact and economic development in these areas. In contrast, the rural hinterland changed in a much different way, facing an ongoing transition of rural lifestyles towards a still uncertain modernity. The objective of this competition is to conceive a landscape narrative from the sea to the rural hinterland. The proposed transect starts at the coastline following the Avakas Gorge to the Pano and Kato Arodes Villages, situated at 500 m above sea level. Participating students will explore the natural, cultural and socio-economic layers of this landscape, as well as its spatial and aesthetic values.

A concept should be developed around the overall themes of sustainable tourism and cultural heritage. However, wider interpretations of how a sustainable development of this landscape can be enhanced are welcome. The detailing task is to design a park for amateur astronomy and star-watching, for which the area west of Kato Arodes village is reportedly very suitable.

The proposals should be developed around the following aspects. Participants are invited to interpret those and to set individual emphasises:

  • Sustainable visions balancing the interplay of landscape scenery, habitat management, visitor flow and settlement development
  • Enhancing, interpreting and integrating heritage elements and historical layers
  • Concepts for nature-oriented tourism and environmental education focussing on the exploration ofnatural phenomena (i.e. geology, ecosystems, astronomy) and their translation into the landscape
  • Sustainable traffic concepts, connectivity, enhancing modal shift and increased landscape experience by alternative means of transport
  • Enhancement of ecological functions and ecosystem services of both the protected areas and the surrounding agricultural land
  • Introduction of green infrastructure elements based on a conceptual framework
  • Exploring any possible landscape-based assets creating possibilities for small enterprises in order to foster the landscape’s socio-economic foundation

Participants are asked to submit three posters (1x A1 double length + 2 x A1 regular) presenting the following contents:

  1. Overall Concept and FrameworkThis poster will cover the entire transect and represent the overall strategy and key interventions. The working and presentation scale is 1:10,000. Aspects to be covered: landscape elements and their enhancement, functional zones including natural areas and open space typologies, connectivity, sustainable traffic. The overall 1:10,000 plan should be combined with conceptual diagrams (i.e. spatial and functional layers, wider regional context, bird eye view sketches, historical analysis). Keep explanatory notes short and concise. Format: A1 double length, normal height
  2. The landscape of Kato and Pano ArodesThe second poster will show a spatial concept for the villages of Kato and Pano Arodes and their direct environment. Working and presentation scale is 1:5 000 with additional conceptual graphics and visualisations. Aspects to be covered: enhancing landscape character and landscape experience with reference to thematic routes and heritage elements (pre-concept exists), sustainable traffic for tourism and recreation, enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services in the village landscape.
  3. The Astro Park

    The third poster will give a detailing for an amateur astronomy area at scale 1:1 000, hereinafter referred to as the ‘Astro Park’. The site could be developed on a descending plot at the western edge of Pano Arodes, where old millstone boulders can be found and possibly reused for this new purpose. However, it is also possible to look for alternative spatial interpretations of an Astro Park. Aspects to be covered: conceptual idea with 1:1000 plan, one detailing at 1:100 scale and visualisations.

The competition organisation is looking for reflexive and innovative approaches, giving value to the identity of the place and showing a strategy for project realisation.

REGISTRATION AND SUBMISSION

The full set of background documents and plans is accessible after online registration. Registered participants will receive a neutral login ID which will also be used for submitting the proposals in an anonymous way. This ID needs to be shown on all submitted posters.

PARTICIPANTS

The competition is open to students and recent graduates of landscape-related disciplines, in particular landscape architecture/planning, urban/regional planning and architecture as well as related disciplines such as arts, geography, agricultural sciences, dendrology, economics, environmental psychology, forestry, hydrology and water management, IT, archaeology, ecology, social anthropology, sociology or tourism. Levels of study may be bachelor, master or PhD. Recent graduates can participate if they are still in their professional training phase (stage or similar). Employees or relatives of the jury members may not enter the competition.

Both individual and group submissions will be accepted. Each student or group is allowed only one entry. Interdisciplinary submissions are welcome. However, the design should still focus on the configuration of the landscape, so consultation from and cooperation with landscape related disciplines is very important.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

A colloquium in the form of a web conference will be held on Wednesday, 18th of November 2015, at 18 pm CET. Registered participants will be able to submit questions for the colloquium in advance.

AWARDS

The LE:NOTRE Institute will award three prizes and select another three submissions for being honourably mentioned. The award winners will get the possibility to present their project at the LE:NOTRE landscape forum to a group of international professionals and local stakeholders. The results will also be documented on the LE:NOTRE Institute website.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Poster size and format

The submitted project must comprise one overlength poster for the 1:10 000 transect (double length and normal height of A1) and two normal A1 posters (841mmx594mm, landscape format). The submission format is PDF. The submission is only online.

Submission ID

Each participant or participating team will receive a unique and anonymous ID upon registration. This ID needs to be put into the top left corner of each submitted poster. Size and format for the idea are: Arial, font 72. The posters must be numbered to be seen in that order during the selection.

Written information

Entrants must also submit a brief description (250 words maximum) in a separate PDF file, identified only by the anonymous ID (DO NOT include the names of the students or the name of the university).
This description must be a clear and concise text explaining the key aspects shown in the concept design proposal. The text is not to be justified, left aligned and double spaced, in Arial, font 12.

Competition language

All submissions must be entirely in English, which is the official language of the LE:NOTRE Landscape Forum. Local names and specific conditions of each country may be included in the local language. This is to ensure that all material can be understood by the jury, who conduct their reviews in English.

Go to the competition’s website

Date: October 28, 2015