NBA’s Inaugural Design Competition

On behalf of NBA’s Young Professionals Forum, the firm held its first ever EVOLUTION:NEXTGen Housing 2050 Design Competition! Open to all employees and summer interns, the competition gave participants the chance to come up with innovative ideas for the following brief:

“Urban migration continues to be on the rise. Urban developments struggle to catch up as nearly every major city is facing a housing shortage. What’s our responsibility as designers? As citizens? As community members? What will our built environment look like in 2050? Who will be able and allowed to live where?”

The competition challenged contestants to design a new housing typology, built on an existing city block in Southeast Atlanta, that incorporates contemporary ideas but also fits into what already exists on this block, such as surrounding buildings, vacant lots and mixed usage. The provided brief was intentionally left as open as possible to facilitate many design ideas.

Competitors had two weeks to prepare their designs, bringing to life several visions for the future 2050 through new unit ideas and typologies.

Everyone presented in front of a panel of NBA judges (Ray Kimsey, Brian Ward, Mark Oprisch, Reisha Allport-Marie, Taylor Yarbrough, Abbe Nelson and Hal Bolton). The panel offered constructive feedback for each project, and they deliberated which contenders would take home a prize: $500 for first place, $300 for second place and $200 for third place.

1st Place: Michael Mioux

2nd Place: AEon McNeal and David Trinidad

3rd Place: Ntchwaidumela Thomas

After the winners received their prizes, NBA celebrated together on a successful inaugural event! The YPF group is already brainstorming ideas for next year’s design competition. Thank you to everyone who participated!