Transforming Places: Design Competition

The Big Draw 2008

'I have tried to create a big open space using mirrors. I based it on a Dali Museum in Barcelona - a flies eye. I was impressed by the way he optically used space.'

Shape wanted to find young people who are interested in the places they live and have ideas for how to make them better. The competition was open to all young people.

Shape East’s Student Design Competition was an opportunity to understand and experiment with different ways of drawing commonly used in the design process. Each style of drawing can be described as a unique language, this competition invites students to experiment with these different languages to investigate and talk about the places in which they live.

The entries were judged by Kieran Perkins from 5th Studio and Adam Peavoy from RMJM. They commented on all the entries: 'It's great to see students thinking about how they can change their environment for the better'

Winner (ages 11-13)
Christopher George (13)
'an impressive set of drawings'
'a creative take on a cricket pavilion'

Winner (ages 14-16)
Kimberly Simmons (14)
'an intelligent and sophisticated approach to transforming an exterior space'
'we enjoyed the looseness of the drawing and the multiple views'

I have tried to create a big open space using mirrors. I based it on a Dali Museum in Barcelona - a flies eye. I was impressed by the way he optically used space.'

Runner up (ages 14-16)
Sophie Clarke (15)
'a clear and elegant idea for transforming an underused art of the school into a delightful, inspiring space.'

'Outside our BTEC art room is a space that is never used. I would like to make it spacious and a place where you can relax and do art to get all of your ideas down. The roof is made of glass so in the day you can open it and let all of the sun in and when it is raining you can listen and watch the rain fall on the roof. The floor would be glass with different colour cushions underneath so it look like you are standing/sitting on the cushions.'

Winner (ages 17-18)
Katie Rand (17)
'very sophisticated'
'very good environmentally - reusing an existing building rather than knocking it down'
'we liked the scale and ambition of the proposal, whilst still being plausible'
'deals with an important issue in the urban environment'

Runner up (ages 17-18)
Rupert Sage (17)
'we liked the range of drawings, from location to details, and the sketch book quality'
'shows understanding of how a designer approaches and investigates ideas'

“In the design process, drawing is the act of thought.”
– Sir Richard McCormac, Architect and Campaign for Drawing Patron

Downloads:

• Info for Students
• Competition Poster
• How to Draw Notebook