CRAFTITECTURE A Pavilion for Electric Picnic

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CRAFTITECTURE
A Pavilion for Electric Picnic
A competition designed by the Crafts Council of Ireland and the Irish Architecture
Foundation in association with the Electric Picnic and Greencrafts to promote creativity and
collaboration between architects and crafts people.

In association with:

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Contents
1) Craftitecture
Aims
Context

2) Process and Collaboration

3) Site/Area

4) Design Requirements
Design Requirements
Budget & funding
Timescale

5) Competition and logistics
Format
Submission Requirements

6) The Jury

7) Payment schedules and Programme

8) Supporting documents

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1) Craftitecture
Aim

The aim of this competition is to establish an innovative project that will realise the design
and build of a re‐usable temporary structure at Electric Picnic 2011. The structure or Pavilion
(as it will be called in this document) will house small intimate events for Year of Craft 2011
during Electric Picnic. The Pavilion must raise awareness and demonstrate the links between
architecture and craft. The initiative aims to increase skills level and understanding of
materials by both craft and architecture.

The structure must inspire, excite and innovate.

The winning team must be an equal representation of architect and craft person and the
winning design must reflect an equal contribution from both professions. This project is a
partnership between the Crafts Council of Ireland and the IAF to encourage creative
collaborations and test the ground for future initiatives.

Context

This competition forms part of the programme of events to celebrate Year of Craft 2011 on
the island of Ireland. The year marks the 40th anniversary of the Crafts Council of Ireland,
(CCoI), and will be celebrated through a diverse range of dynamic events and programmes to
showcase the very best of Irish craft. The craft industry which has an estimated output of
€498m is a dynamic and vibrant sector in Ireland. The industry encompasses a range of
different skills including textile making and clothing, pottery and ceramics, jewellery, glass
and woodworking and furniture.
The Crafts Council of Ireland is responsible for fostering the growth and commercial strength
of the crafts industry in Ireland, communicating its unique identity and stimulating quality
design, innovation and competitiveness.

The Irish Architecture Foundation is a vibrant and passionate organisation that seeks to
excite people about the cultural value of architecture. The IAF is an independent, open and
accessible organisation whose purpose is to encourage a better‐built environment. We aim
to communicate the shaping of space and the effect that shaping has on its user. We aim to
provide a platform to communities to exchange knowledge and experience. We are aware of
current and future trends and issues related to architecture both nationally and
internationally, and use this to create a programme that is visionary, inspirational and can
have impact on the future of the built environment and the people that use it.

Electric Picnic is an annual arts‐and‐music festival, which has been staged since 2004 in
County Laois in Ireland. It is organised by Pod Concerts and Festival Republic, who purchased
the majority shareholding in 2009.The Picnic has received widespread international acclaim,
being described as "Ireland's version of Glastonbury" and is renowned for its vibrant arts and
crafts programmes. The dedicated ‘Greencrafts’ area in the Global green highlight a
sustainable approach to a wide range of traditional hand‐crafts while many of the large scale
installations in the Body and Soul area are made using craft‐based techniques. Electric Picnic
2010 won several awards including the inaugural IMRO Music Festival of the Year Award and
Best Medium Sized Festival in Europe at the European Festival Awards. The US magazine
Billboard describes it as "a magnificent rock n roll circus, a textbook example of everything a
festival should be" and Rolling Stone states it is "one of the best festivals we've ever been
to".

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2) Process of Collaboration
This competition has been developed in order to highlight the overlaps and synergies
between the fields of craft and architecture. Throughout history skilled craftspeople have
worked closely with architects to realise landmark buildings encapsulating exquisite design
and attention to detail.

Perhaps most recognised is the collaboration between William Morris and architect Phillip
Webb in the UK during the arts and crafts movement. The Modernist era brought to bear
many design and craft movements through the work of Eileen Gray, Pierre Chareau in Paris,
de Stil and the Bauhaus, and or course, Charles and Ray Eames. Work by architects Frank
Lloyd Wright and Eero Saarinen furniture designers in their own right show a mastery and
awareness of material.

More recently the big budget, dramatic architectural sculpting of form and attention to
surface detail by architects such as Frank Gehry and Daniel Libeskind or designers such as
Thomas Heatherwick have all referenced a craft aesthetic.

The incredible craftsmanship in the work of Joseph Walsh is recognised by South American
architect Rafael Vinoly who purchased a table from the ‘Enignum’ series at the opening of
the Design Miami fair earlier this year.

More modest budgets can create impact, like in 2006 a temporary structure designed by 6a
architects and Eley Kishimoto fashion designers in London, the HAIRYWOOD project played
with ideas of defining space and creating place through the interaction of architecture and
fashion.

This said, increased advances in technology, the prevalence of CAD programmes and ease of
access to mechanised production have facilitated a shift away from skills based learning and
collaboration over the past few decades. During the boom time, in particular for architects,
values such as quality of materials, of design, attention to detail, of the unique and the
handmade were pushed aside as quantity, deadlines and budgets became the dominant
factors.

‘Craftitecture’ is an opportunity to reconnect the disciplines of craft and architecture. To
explore in partnership the unique vision and skills that each architect and crafts people team
brings to bear. To experiment with materials, to learn from each other and to create an
innovative and inviting space that reflects the best of both worlds.

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3) Site/Area

The site is non‐specific vis a vis dimensions; it is basically a grass plot on which the pavilion
of no more than 40m2 will be situated. Exact site location will be determined once the
successful proposal has been selected.

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4) Design Requirements
Aesthetics

   ‐The pavilion must demonstrate a union between the craft of design and use of
   materials, in relation to form and function.
   ‐Incorporate the use of recycled / sustainable materials wherever possible
   ‐ The pavilion must be innovative and demonstrate the contemporary field of design in
   both craft and architecture.

Technical

The Pavilion structure must conform to the following technical requirements:
    - A space with at least 2 entrances, that can be secured and locked at night
    - Space up to 40 people seated for events, approx 40m2
    - Suitable for outdoors and all weather conditions.
    - Suitable structure to be erected safely on all surfaces (soil, concrete, tarmac)
    - The structure must conform to public safety and have regard to Heath and Safety
        issues.
    ‐ A structure that could be easily installed and de‐installed
    - Ease of assembly is important
    - Easily transported and stored.
    - Provision for use and consideration of external appearance during both day and night.
    - Possible provision of a Platform/stage/performance area and display area
    - Include possibilities for branding of CCoI and IAF.
    - The design life of the pavilion should run for minimum until the end of Year of Craft
        2011, and the structure should be made to withstand 4/5 assemblies. .

Budget and Funding

For the purposes of the competition, entrants should work to a maximum budget of €16,500
Breakdown:
€12,500 for construction, materials, installation, on‐site project build manager
€4,000 fee will be paid to the architect and craft person team

Proposals need not be fully costed, but inclusion of an outline budget is mandatory and
designs must be realistic in relation to the budget.

Team Responsibilities

The winning team will project manage the build, installation and de‐installation in
consultation with a representative appointed by the Crafts Council of Ireland. A number of
site visits will be required. Responsibilities include sourcing materials, management of the
construction team and budget, regular communication with CCoI, IAF, and representatives
of the Electric Picnic. The winning team must provide a method statement, risk assessment
and Health & Safety policy. A fire retardant cert will be required for any cloth/drapes.

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Timescale Competition

Competition launch              Wednesday       6 April 2011
Questions Deadline              Tuesday         12 April 2011 at 12 noon
Answers Circulated              Wednesday       20 April 2011
Submission Deadline             Thursday        12 May 2011 at 12 noon
Assessment/ Shortlist           Tuesday         17 May 2011
Interview                       Wednesday       18 May 2011

5) Competition
Client body

The competition is funded by CCoI as part of Year of Craft 2011 events in partnership with
the IAF.

Competition format

The process will be as follows:
    - Proposals are invited from collaborative teams of RIAI registered architect(s) and
        registered craft person(s).
    - There will be a Q+A period, all questions will be answered and circulated to all parties
        who submitted a question by the IAF.
    - The Jury (TBC) will comprise of CCoI and IAF representatives and experts from both
        sectors.
    - A shortlist of minimum 3 entries will be invited to interview by the same jury.
    - The Jury will decide short list of entries will be publicised by CCOI and the IAF to
        maximise interest in the project.
    - The winner will then be announced.

Submission requirements

Submissions must include all of (and no more than) the following:

Hard copy: 4 x A4 pages containing the following:

‐ Explanation of the entrant’s proposals, emphasising the process of collaboration between
craft and architecture.
‐ The entrant’s response to the brief’s requirements re: site, programme, and budget
‐ A simple 3d concept model no more than 25cm3
‐ Sketches to illustrate the concept and form
‐ A Plan and Section each at 1:50 scale
‐ A drawing and description to show how it would be constructed and its structural viability
describing the basic structural concept, structural materials and outline proposals for
fabrication and erection.

NB: Text should be concise and clear, using bullet points where possible. It is recommended
that submissions contain no more than 800 words in total.

CD: containing the above and three high‐ resolution press images to be used should the
submission be shortlisted for web exhibition, any press interest.

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Questions and Answers

All  questions     related    to      the     competition     should     be     emailed     to
info@architecturefoundation.ie.

The IAF will not respond to inquiries by telephone or to any entrants on an individual basis.

Entrants must not petition the IAF, Crafts Council of Ireland, any of the project consultants,
or any members of the competition Jury during the competition period.

Eligibility

Entries must be from architect(s) and crafts person(s) team(s) only.

It is recommended that entrants ensure that their team include sufficient technical expertise
to deliver design work on the project.

The winning team must demonstrate a strong ability to project manage the build,
installation and de‐installation (source materials, manage the construction team) and
budget in consultation with a representative from CCoI.

You must demonstrate you have the ability to deliver on time and within budget.

Professional indemnity insurance requirements

The winning entrant will be expected to operate as an appropriately defined legal entity
(partnership or other structure), and will be required to carry Professional Indemnity
Insurance appropriate to the scale of the project.

Press and publicity

Entrants must not talk to the press about the competition and matters relating to it in
advance of the announcement of the shortlisted schemes.

Shortlisted teams must not release any information on winner prior to CCoI and IAF
announcements.

The competition organisers, in connection with promoting or publicising the competition,
may use material submitted by entrants.

Copyright

Any individual(s) or team entering the competition will be deemed to have given the
competition organisers an irrevocable free licence to use and reproduce any designs or
other material provided for all purposes connected with promoting the competition. The
design teams shall retain copyright of their design proposals.

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Criteria for selection

‐ Quality of concept and collaboration
A creative and intelligent response to the issues raised by the competition brief especially
the collaboration between architecture and craft.

‐ Delivery/achievability
An approach that can be delivered within realistic budgets and within the practical
constraints of the site and client body.

‐ Practicality
Your idea/proposal must be buildable and feasible, within budget, time and safety
constraints. It must show durability even for temporary use can be installed easily and
efficiently, dismantled and transported, fit for purpose.

‐ Quality of design
The ability to translate concept into high quality three‐dimensional design, ranging from the
overall approach to smaller scale decisions on detail and materials.

‐ Understanding of context
 Awareness of the special qualities of the event and various user groups, other uses beyond
Electric Picnic, and a creative response to the clients needs.

‐ Compliance with the brief
 Submission must reflect an understanding of the brief and delivery of all priorities and
objectives outlined in the brief.

‐Environmental sustainability
A sustainable approach to materials used, construction techniques and energy consumption
in use.

6) The Jury
The Jury will be announced once the questions and answers deadline has passed.

7) Payment schedules and Programme
Payment Schedule
Architect(s) and craftsperson(s) team must supply a current tax clearance certificate.

Irish Architecture Foundation will administer fee of €2,000 each to successful architect(s)
and craftsperson(s) team.

CCoI administer balance of funding relating to the design and build as follows:

€12,500 to winning team to cover all costs relating to the build, including materials interior
fit out and transport to agreed site at Stradbally, Co. Laois by the end of August 2011. The
winning team must be self sufficient with regard to project management and report
regularly to CCoI representative on progress and logistics.
Payment of €12,500 will be made as follows:

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    •   50% of payment once full design development is underway and on receipt of valid
        invoice
    •   25% stage payment in July 2011 or on reaching mid stage of build process
    •   25% Final payment on successful completion of brief and installation of structure at
        Electric Picnic 2011 and on receipt of report including images documenting
        collaboration, design and build process.

Programme

Assessment/ Shortlist                    Tuesday           17 May 2011
Interview                                Wednesday         18 May 2011
Winner announced                         Friday            20 May 2011

Exhibition of short list on website
Team meetings with CCOI etc

Technical site visit                     May 2011

Design development                       6th June – 3rd July:
Construction                             4 – 31st July:
Delivery & Assembly                      *1 – 21st August
Interior fit‐out                         22nd – 31st August
Festival opens                           2nd September

* Information and site access and timetable will be circulated to winning team, this is just an
estimated date based on knowledge known at the time of the circulation of this document.

8) Supporting documents
Please download supporting documents and appendices from
www.architecturefoundation.ie
http://www.electricpicnic.ie
http://en.expo2010.cn/c/en_gj_tpl_4.htm
http://paperalchemy.blogspot.com/2008/01/paper‐cut‐architecture‐in‐poland.html
http://www.eleykishimoto.com/photo‐blog/hairywood/
http://www.dezeen.com/2010/03/31/uk‐pavilion‐at‐shanghai‐expo‐2010‐by‐thomas‐
heatherwick‐2/
http://www.aaschool.ac.uk/PORTFOLIO/microsite.php?title=Design%20and%20Make&url=d
esignandmake.aaschool.ac.uk/
http://www.electricpicnic.ie/

Competition and information address:

Irish Architecture Foundation
8 Merrion Sq
Dublin 2
Ireland
Email: info@architecturefoundation.ie