Trespa, manufacturer of paneling for façade cladding and interior applications, will honor the winners of its student architecture competition that explores the challenges and opportunities for urban mixed-use projects. Trespa sponsored the contest, which was organized by the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS). In addition to a reception on January 19th, winners will have their submissions on exhibit at the Trespa Design Center in Soho until the end of the month.
The program begins with the premise that mixed-use entertainment and retail centers can contribute to sustainable cities. Typically comprising restaurants, theaters, bookstores, cafés, and retail spaces, these developments are intended to create vibrant mini-communities within the larger city—not only as commercial destinations, but also as ways to establish a new visual identity and architectural precedent for future buildings. In addition, entrants used colorful, durable Trespa solid composite products to add durability and striking aesthetics for these city entertainment centers.
Each participant had to select sites that were at least two blocks and located in an actual city of more than 25,000 people with public transit. The AIAS and Trespa also wanted the program to encourage the use of sustainable design, which focuses on environmental considerations, as well as universal design, which improves accessibility for older citizens and those with physical challenges. The competition further required that occupied and significant buildings on the proposed site could not be demolished to make way for the new entertainment centers.
