Designed by Victorian architects Joseph & Smithem, Affinity Sutton’s Bethnal Green estate in East London, one of Europe’s first social housing developments, celebrates its 100th birthday this year. Originally home to some 400 people, Bethnal Green offered an escape from London’s East End slums and a decent home to its inhabitants.
The competition is open to Part 2 architectural students who are enrolled on (or have recently completed) a RIBA validated course at a UK-based school of architecture. Students are challenged to generate design ideas on what could be built on the Bethnal Green site today, taking into account the 21st century sustainability agenda, modern building technique and architectural approaches, together with the financial constraints of the affordable housing sector.
A judging panel will identify 10 finalists who have responded best to the challenges set out in the competition brief. The winner will be selected following presentation of design proposals to the judging panel at final interview in late April 2010. The overall winner of the competition will be offered a year’s Stage 2 Professional Experience with one or more of RIBA’s architect partners, with Affinity Sutton contributing GBP19,000 ($31,177.02) toward the cost of the placement. It is anticipated that the winner’s placement will be taken up between July 2010 and June 2011, with the student employed by the architect/s for the period of the placement.
At the conclusion of the competition, Affinity Sutton and RIBA will showcase the ideas submitted to Make Bethnal Green via an online gallery. Best practice examples may also be incorporated in future editions of Affinity Sutton’s Design Guide. Once anonymity has been lifted, authorship of design ideas will be duly credited and recognized in all such materials, publicity etc.
With a portfolio of over 54,000 dwellings, Affinity Sutton is one of the largest providers of affordable homes in the country. The Royal Institute of British Architects is the UK body for architecture and the architectural profession. It provides support for over 40,500 members worldwide in the form of training, technical services, publications and events, and sets standards for the education of architects, both in the UK and overseas.
