Restless travelers are boarding flights to nowhere, Airbnb tackles pandemic-induced obstacles, and registration has officially opened for the HD Awards virtual ceremony. All this and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
RIBA cancels 2020 Stirling Prize
For the first time since its inception more than two decades ago, the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Stirling Prize, which is awarded to the best building in the UK, has been canceled. With daily coronavirus cases rising in the U.K. and concern over judges visiting buildings in the region, the organization felt it was necessary to press pause, reports Dezeen. Judging for RIBA’s Regional and National awards has also been halted until next year. “Our awards are judged in person, and as much as our teams of judges and staff are keen to visit and select the best new buildings in the UK, now is not the moment,” says RIBA president Alan Jones. The organization did, however, name esteemed architect Sir David Adjaye of Adjaye Associates as the recipient of the 2021 Royal Gold Medal.
Homesharing platforms are having challenges, too
The travel industry has been turned upside down due to COVID-19 but the lure of escaping to a secluded private residence has continued to keep homesharing platforms, like Airbnb, viable during this tumultuous time. A recent New York Times article, however, examines Airbnb’s potential longterm trajectory and the hurdles it is currently facing. For example, with travel down across the board, landlords may choose to list their properties as long-term rentals, causing a decrease in Airbnb’s available listings even while demand is still there. Additionally, an influx in parties hosted at rentals during the pandemic caused the company to announce a global ban on party houses, limiting occupancy to 16 people, in August. But it may not be all bad news. Speaking of the global crisis, Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky (who is working to take the company public), says: “It’s kind of redeemed our vision—what I would love is to be able to help spread out travel to as many communities as possible rather than over-concentrating them in any one place.”
SOM Foundation inaugurates scholarship for BIPOC undergrads
The SOM Foundation, the charitable organization founded by global architecture and design practice Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in 1979, is launching a new yearly academic award to support BIPOC undergraduate students who are enrolled in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, and structural engineering programs. According to the Architect’s Newspaper, the Robert L. Wesley Award is named in honor of the firm’s first Black partner, who retired in 2001. Starting this year, three $10,000 scholarships will be granted in tandem with a one-year mentorship with one of the award jurors. “It is my belief that one of the greatest gifts a young person can receive from any authority, organization, or institution is an education, and this award exemplifies exactly that,” said Wesley, who will serve on the award jury. “Education is one of those indelible rights that keeps our society strong, productive, and empathetic. When used properly, all of society benefits.”
“Flights to nowhere” take off
Some jetsetters are so antsy that “flights to nowhere” have now begun to gain traction. Offered by Qantas, a seven-hour sightseeing flight to take in iconic Australian destinations from 30,000 feet sold out in just 10 minutes, reports CNN. “It’s probably the fastest selling flight in Qantas history,” states the airline’s CEO, Alan Joyce. “People clearly miss travel and the experience of flying. If the demand is there, we’ll definitely look at doing more of these scenic flights while we all wait for borders to open.” Similarly, EVA Air operated a scenic, one-off Taiwan-based flight in early August, and All Nippon Airways (ANA) offered a short 1.5-hour journey in Japan.
Registration is now open for Virtual HD Awards Ceremony
Dress to impress, have a drink, and celebrate the industry with us! This year, the HD Awards will virtually honor some of the best and most innovative achievements in project and product design from around the globe. The winners, selected by a prestigious group of industry visionaries from more than 1,000 entries across project and product categories, will be announced on October 22nd at 11 a.m. EST during an interactive ceremony. Register now to join us for #HDAwards2020!
