International competition for the architecture, landscaping and access of new visitor facilities at

The British Government in Northern Ireland has launched an international projects competition, in a single stage, for the design of visitor facilities and the associate landscaping and access at the Giant’s Causeway development site, situated on the northern coast of County Antrim.

The competition is open to architects in all European Union countries. In conformity with the UNESCO-UIA regulations, this competition has been approved by the International Union of Architects (UIA)

OBJECTIVES AND PROGRAMME

In April 2003, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Investment and the Minister for the Environment decided to

launch an international competition for the development of new visitor facilities at the Giant’s Causeway, registered

on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986. This legendary site currently attracts some 400 000 visitors per annum

for its outstanding natural beauty, its geological interest and its mythological connotations. The aim of the

competition is to provide world class visitor facilities of the highest quality with regard to the architecture and its

integration in the landscape. The new visitor facilities will permit the harmonious and sustainable development, be

economically viable and provoke civic pride and community engagement.

Visitor facilities already exist at the Giant’s Causeway.

Competitors are required to design new visitor facilities totalling 1 800 m2 of floor space and including:

. Interpretation and Educational facilities;

. Retail facilities;

. Catering facilities;

. Tourism information centre;

. The services corresponding to these facilities.

Participants are also asked to consider off-site access, on-site access and transportation. Projects should take into

account the unique nature of the site and its sensitive environment and consider its conservation and enhancement.

TIMETABLE

Deadline for reception of registration applications 1500hrs (UK) 10th June 2005

Deadline for dispatching projects 29th July 2005

Deadline for reception of projects 1500hrs (UK) 5th August 2005

Jury meeting August 2005

COMPOSITION OF THE JURY

The jury will be composed as follows:
. Jochen Brandi, Architect, Germany
. Mario Cucinella, Architect, Italy (nominated by UIA)
. Peter Hunter, Architect, England
. Duncan Lewis, Architect, France
. Aidan McGrath, Architect, Northern Ireland (nominated by Royal Society of Ulster Architects)
. Juhani Pallasmaa, Architect, Finland
. Bruce Robinson Permanent Secretary, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Northern Ireland (nominated by the Project Promoter)

Deputy jury member:
. Claude Godefroy, architect, France (nominated by UIA)

PRIZES

A total amount of £24 000 will be shared between the authors of the winning projects (three prizes of £10 000,

£7 000 and £4 000 respectively and three honourable mentions of £1 000 ).

PARTICIPATION AND REGISTRATION

The competition is open to architects who are licensed to practice in the European Union countries.

Applications for registration should be sent to the competition secretariat and include:

. The competitor/team leader’s name, address, telephone and fax numbers and e-mail address
. copy of the licence or certificate of membership in a professional organisation proving the competitors right to practice the profession in his/her EU member state of residence.

There is no registration fee

DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED

The competition language is English.

Competitors must submit the following graphic documents on a maximum of three A1 size lightweight boards:

. Site plan at scale 1/1250
. Typical floor plans of the building at scale 1/100
. Elevations and sections at scale 1/100 and details in scale 1/50 illustrating significant features
. A perspective drawing
. A view of the relationship of the proposal within the context of the landscape
. Explanatory sketches.
. In addition, a descriptive report of 4 pages maximum (format A4) is to be provided.

COMPETITION SECRETARIAT

Louise Thompson
Central Procurement Directorate
Rosepark house
Upper Newtownards Roads
Belfast BT4 3NR
Northern Ireland
T. (44) 28 90 52 66 31