This international one-stage architecture ideas competition invites all architecture students, young architects and young professionals with a degree in architecture studies (≤ 40 years old) to develop and submit compelling ideas for the design of a Site Tower located in the beautiful scenery of Monsaraz (Alentejo), Portugal.

The village of Monsaraz and the great lake of Alqueva are significant landmarks located within a remarkable territory; a beautiful landscape scenery where the remains of the rural hermitage nestled amongst rolling hills with sporadic vegetation and slate stone are notable natural features within this setting.

When generating a vision for an intervention located within such a remarkable place, it is essential that each design proposal emphasises, respects and celebrates the site and existing ruin, while providing a unique and memorable experience.

SITE TOWER

The Site Tower is a secluded landmark, a place to capture the history of the site and engage with the landscape and beautiful scenery of the Alqueva lake. Mediating between exterior and interior spaces from the ground to the emptiness above, it is an embodied experience of light and air through movement and places of rest; a contemplative journey through memory, time and place.

Entrance *
Provide a space of transition between the natural landscape and the Site Tower.

Resting / Viewing *
Provide an intimate ascending / descending path (with spaces to rest, allowing visitors to experience moments of silence and solitude, open and / or enclosed to the natural elements.

Information Space *
Area designated to provide visitors with information about the history and memory of the place; it can be a singular space or a sequence of spaces, open and / or enclosed to the natural elements.

Look-out point *
Provide an intimate place for contemplation with breath-taking panoramic views of the landscape and the beautiful scenery of the Alqueva lake, offering visitors a unique experience within the immensity of the place; it can be a singular space or a sequence of spaces, open and / or enclosed to the natural elements.

* Areas to be determined by each participant’s design proposal.

Total area of the Site Tower to be determined by each participant’s proposal.

The overall design of the Site Tower must be sensitive to the surrounding context. There are no limitations in height or excavation. The ‘São Lázaro’ Hermitage may or may not be included within the Site Tower design proposal. Because this is an ideas competition, urban planning and building regulations will not be applied to the design proposal.

PRIZES

1st Prize   2000€ (two thousand euros)

2nd Prize 1000€ (one thousand euros)

3rd Prize   500€ (five hundred euros)

7 Honorable Mentions

Publications

All submissions will be published on the ArkxSite website.
All reasonable efforts will be made to publish and promote the winners and honorable mentions in architectural magazines and blogs worldwide; however, such results will rely on agreements made with the publication entities.

SCHEDULE