Artisan Fair - A hotspot for cultural traders and enthusiasts - An Artisan Market

Submission: December 14, 2021
Registration: December 14, 2021
Language: English
Location: Sydney
Prizes: $24000
Type: Open Competition

Due to commercialization and the emergence of big brand stores, artisans are unable to compete with them with their small-scale (individual) setup. Markets can help the artisans come together to network and promote their business. The challenge is to design a setting for an artisanal marketplace that functions only for a limited amount of time at regular intervals.

The market must be built to accommodate local artisans. The market setup will be temporary so the impact on site must be minimal. Artisan’s market breathes new life into the public realm and so its design must have a connection with surroundings while having unique features. The culture of the city can be used for inspiration.

A model market design has to be well-organized, easy to navigate, and self-sustaining. Comfort must be achieved in the open or semi-open setup. The site can be used for public gatherings by providing space for events and artists viewing.

Design Objectives

Agile: The design must not be a permanent installation but rather a transformative one (or temporary), which would allow for the use of space at other times, for a variety of activities.

Adaptable: The design must have the potential to be operated or built upon by individuals, part of the community, as and when the need should arise.
Upgradable: The design must have the capacity to adapt or accommodate new scenarios. The future needs of the market must also be anticipated and taken under consideration, in design.

Context: The design must respond to the (existing) site conditions. The wider socio-cultural, economic and environmental settings are to be considered in the design approach.