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Design Competition Launched to Aid Developing Nations

The competition is open to the public.

Mairi Beautyman -- Interior Design, 10/30/2007 12:00:00 AM

Nonprofit organization Architecture for Humanity is seeking designs for an international competition spanning three continents. The AMD Open Architecture Challenge asks participants to design a sustainable multi-purpose facility for a location in South America, Africa, and Asia. Submissions are due January 15, 2008.

Among other uses, the facilities will supply affordable Internet access--and as a result, educational, social, and economic opportunities--in areas which are currently underserved. The three projects are: A health care center catering to the districts of Achham and Doti, Nepal; a chocolate factory, fair trade exchange, and off-site satellite technology hubs in the Napo Province of Ecuador; and a technology media lab and library in Nairobi, Kenya. The competition is open to the general public and participants may submit designs for one or all three sites.

Each of the three winning entries will receive the proceeds from the $25 entry fees ($30 after December 16) for each site. One grand-prize winning design will be built, and the designs for the remaining two sites will be built when funding becomes available. All designs will be published online on the Open Architecture Network.

The competition is sponsored by Advanced Micro Divices (AMD), which will provide one years' operating costs for the built facility--or up to $250,000. Visit Open Architecture Network for more information.