The Next Landmark Contest calls submissions from young architects and designers to take on the challenge of redeveloping external areas at a nursery school, focusing on inherent issues in quality of the space, the relationship between the individual and their surroundings, and urban regeneration. The 2020 contest, entitled “An Educational Garden in Fiorano Modenese”, is aimed at a new generation of architects who graduated between 2010 and today. The winner will be announced in June 2020 and awarded a scholarship for a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Design at SOS – School of Sustainability, Bologna, Italy.

Eligibilities

The Next Landmark Contest is aimed at all young architects and designers who graduated from these disciplines between 2010 and the present day. Registration is free of charge and must be completed online.

Objectives

The objective of the latest contest is to redesign external areas at the “Casa Coccapani” nursery school in Fiorano Modenese (MO). More specifically, participants are requested to enter a project that introduces innovative and sustainable aspects relating to designing areas for growth and learning, aimed at creating a new and more integrated relationship between the individual, community and green space. The project focuses on creating a space that promotes awareness of the importance of individual and collective actions in the care and conservation of all living creatures. The new play area should, therefore, be an ecosystem that provides future generations with countless opportunities to learn, explore, and discover the surrounding world, whilst at the same time ensuring:

• Beauty and simplicity
• Physical and mental well-being
• Inclusion and accessibility
• Sharing, acceptance, and diversity
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Cost-effectiveness

Areas

The project mainly involves two areas

• Community area: Plaza/Agora, an area free of obstacles for the free movement of users.
• Outdoor area: A small garden, an area for exploring nature including various types of plants suitable for little ones.

Selection Criteria

• The Originality of the design
• Relationship between children and space
• Functional, aesthetic and conceptual innovation
• Technical and economic feasibility.