About Competition
This multi-site Idea Competition seeks architectural concepts using African design principles, creative placemaking and world-class destination planning. Winning designs should: honor the Africatown story; anchor current and future redevelopment plans; preserve Africatown’s unique cultural identity; and spark community economic revitalization.
Designs should incorporate the latest digital technologies, imbued with “Wakanda Forever” Afrofuturistic sensibilities. Additionally, LEED® architectural standards and ways to produce sustainable green energy solutions are encouraged.
The Africatown International Design Idea Competition’s 16-member jury panel (8 design professionals, 8 local leaders and professionals) is headed by Jack Travis, FAIA NOMAC. The architect, author and educator deeply explore Afri-cultural mores, specializing in architecture and interiors fused with African iconography. He founded The Studio for Afrofuturism in Architecture and Design. He runs workshops on Afrocentric design themes and on black communities, with a focus on social directives.
THE AFRICATOWN INTERNATIONAL DESIGN IDEA COMPETITION is not about a single site in Historic Africatown. Rather, it is an interdisciplinary, multi-site design competition that breaks boundaries to organize around FOUR Competition SITES described as: (1) The Africatown Historic District;(2) The Josephine Allen Site; (3) The Africatown Connections Blueway; and (4) The Africatown USA. State Park. Thus, the Competition Is not near-sighted, rather it is a far-sighted impulse that soon will produce designs for 4 SITES and 16 Venues that ultimately will define the BIG Idea- The Africatown Cultural Mile.
Competition Website: https://africatowndesign.com/
Submission / Key Dates
- SEPTEMBER 19, 2022: FINAL DAY TO REGISTER
- JANUARY 19, 2023: FINAL DAY TO SUBMIT DESIGNS
- FEBRUARY 19, 2023: INITIAL JURY REVIEWS
- MARCH 19, 2023: WINNERS ANNOUNCED
JUNE 19, 2023: JUNETEENTH/WINNERS WILL BE INVITED to join us in Mobile, Alabama, for 1st Annual International Conference on African Monument Design and Heritage Tourism.
