(CPV) – The Cultural Development and Exchange Fund (CDEF) of the Embassy of Denmark on March 13 launched the Talent Prize Competition 2013 with the theme “Architectural ideas for improving urban spaces”.
The Talent Prize 2013 is based upon the Danish architect Jan Gehl’s notion that an urban area is normally created by a set of buildings, and its real value lies in the spaces between those buildings. Buildings contribute to defining value and feature of the space. Characteristics of buildings in terms of usefulness, appearance, materials, colour, style or kind of openness and closeness, solidness or hollowness have large impacts on the value of public spaces.
In this competition, CDEF would like to represent a basic concept of urban planning: buildings are an instrument, but not a goal, of urban planning. The space between buildings, where communities actively exist is of greater importance.
Architects, construction engineers, urban planners and landscape architects are welcome to participate. They will choose a particular Vietnamese urban area, analyze the relationship between the buildings and the public space and propose a redesigning plan for the buildings by adding, deleting and/or changing the buildings to create more attractive public spaces.
“The competition seeks to find original and creative architects and to promote projects that are innovative and contribute to improving public spaces in cities in Vietnam. We also want to initiate involvement from public in judging the importance of public places and the role of architecture in designing public activities in cities”, said Danish Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr John Nielsen.
The applications will be assessed by a Review Board including Danish Ambassador John Nielsen, Vietnamese architect Mr. Pho Duc Tung, Mr. Nguyen Huu Thai and Danish architect Hans Peter Hagens. The Jury Prize for the winner is a one-week visit to Denmark early 2014.
Additionally, a competition website will be available for the public to comment on and vote for the initiatives. The initiative receiving the highest votes will get the Audience Prize, valued at VND10 million.
Established in 2006, CDEF aims to provide support to contemporary cultural performances in Vietnam and to cultural exchange activities between the two nations.
It has supported so far more than 100 projects in Vietnam and Denmark, and organized 4 Talent Prize competitions for young Vietnamese artist within art sectors such as experimental music, contemporary dance, performance art and paintings as well./.
