Indoor sports challenge: Graphisoft launches a major competition for architecture students

To date, 96 students are registered, representing most of the National Schools of Architecture.

Graphisoft has launched a competition for students, aiming to reward the best projects offering a new vision of sports facilities in terms of functionality, uses, reception and conviviality. In order to consider sport as a vector of social ties and citizenship, Graphisoft called on the association Empreintes Citoyennes. As a member of the jury, the association has notably helped to develop a territorial partnership of reference with the City of Bourges. Thus, in order to be anchored in the realities on the ground, the candidates will have to conduct their reflection from the Asnières gymnasium, a multi-sport complex located in Bourges. The city, as a member of the final jury, will be able to evaluate the adequacy of the student proposals with the needs of its citizens. This competition is also part of a societal challenge of developing access to sporting activity for the French and the existing built sports park in France.

Project characteristics

The existing project is a municipal facility consisting of a multi-sport gymnasium adjoining a youth and cultural center, located in Bourges.

Applicants are allowed to reinvent all spaces. However, the overall scope of the project must not exceed a maximum floor area of ​​4.500 m2.

The selection of winning projects will be based on the following criteria:

• Suitability of the facility with sporting practices
• The inventiveness of the functional approach
• The potential for large-scale implementation
• New expectations in terms of mix of functions and uses, sharing and use of these spaces.
• The well-being and health of urban dwellers and users
• Solidarity and inclusion
• The innovative nature of the proposal, the creativity and originality of the project
• Technical performance
• Aesthetic relevance
• Ecological and environmental relevance, including consideration of climate change, the scarcity of natural resources and new environmental requirements (bio-sourced materials, circular economy, biodiversity, pooling of uses)

The objectives and ambitions of the project

Through this competition, Graphisoft aims to reward a large-scale project led by a young talent, an architecture student. The objective is also to strengthen the support provided to architects through this large-scale action. Indeed, this competition aims to raise awareness among architecture students about the issues related to sustainable development and societal changes, by giving them a critical sense.

Thus, a real synergy is created between these students and professionals in the sector, highlighting the creativity of new generations of architects.

The next stage, the application period, is already in effect and will end on October 15, 2024 at 23:59 p.m. The finalists of the competition will then be chosen by a jury made up of professionals from the sector, including:

• Régis Juanico, Lecturer at the Institute of Political Studies in Lille
• Yohan Penel, President of the French Badminton Federation
• Alain Bouquin, Deputy Mayor responsible for Citizenship
• Guillaume Grenu, Associate Architect OLGGA
• Charlotte Pull, Architect, Architecture and Wood Project Manager, National Committee for the Development of Wood (CNDB)
• Julien Goupil, Director, Citizen Footprints©
• Massimo Demicheli, Architect, urban planner and landscaper, National Coordinator of the “Urban Projects” division of the Association Empreintes Citoyennes©
• François Favier, Senior Professional Services Consultant Graphisoft France
• Marc Seifert, Architect President A26 Equerre
• Gaétan Engasser, Architect managing Engasser & Associates Agency
• Olivier Namias, editor-in-chief AMC Architecture

Upcoming Challenge Highlights:

• October 31: transmission of a selection of files to the jury
• November 20: Jury deliberation
• December 5: Awards ceremony at the French National Olympic and Sports Committee

Find more information here: https://challengesportindoor.com