FAQ - Rural Housing - TerraViva Competitions

FAQ – RURAL HOUSING

What is happening with the Pergola, will this also be demolished? The pergola will not be demolished. It will be possible to renovate it and reuse it, or to redesign it, changing the materials and function, but always as a semi-covered/outdoor space. It will not be allowed to replace it for new closed volumes on the same spot.

Is it possible to design some underground spaces under the Porch? (-1 floor) Yes, it could be possible to design a -1 floor under the Porch. Bear in mind that if you design housing units they must be properly ventilated and illuminated (with natural light). Make sure that any decision you make in terms of design, should be justified by the general concept behind your project.

Is it possible to change the Stables's roof from gable to shed? Unfortunately it will not be possible to change the Stable's roof configuration. Feel free to change the materials, to open windows on the roof, but in this case (and this applies to all the other buildings) it must be maintained the original shape and height.

Can the manor be lowered by one floor to align its roofline with that of the farmers house ? Similarly, can the semi-covered space of the Stable be partially demolished to “reveal” the building's shape for formal coherence? Regarding the Manor House, unfortunately, it will not be possible to lower its height, since this is a historical building and its original configuration should be maintained. In the case of the Stable's semi-covered space, it will be possible to do some demolitions as long as they are partial and do not change the original configuration of the building.

Would it be possible to provide functions inside buildings G and H used for agriculture (laboratories, spaces for processing raw materials), technical rooms (plants), meeting room, laundry, etc.? Yes, it will be possible to provide complementary/common use activities within the G & H buildings. The program can be defined by the designers themselves and must be consistent with the concept of the general project. Keep in mind that future users will not have to deal with the management of the surrounding fields so the additional functions in these two buildings do not have to be necessarily related to agriculture.

Is it possible to extrude a volume that comes out of the roofs of the buildings as a merely formal gesture? According to the design guidelines: “it will not be allowed to raise any of the existing roofs or increase the height of the buildings”. So if the proposed intervention involves raising the roofs height, then it will not be allowed.

What are the different alternatives for the interventions in the Pigsty and Garage buildings?

– Not to rebuild them: simply leaving an empty space/green area/facilities, etc.

– To fully rebuild them: in this case basically it is asked to respect both the same original placement of the buildings (meaning occupying the same location in plan and not to go beyond) and to replicate their shape and volumetry (including height and roof inclination).

– To rebuild them partially: always respecting the previous guidelines, but rebuilding the volumes partially and leaving some unbuilt/empty/green parts.

In general, it will be possible to choose any type of material, to foresee different openings, to experiment with the structure and to propose a new interior distribution.

The building named “Manor House” reports, an interior height of 2.4m on the first floor and 2.35 on the attic floor. According to the indications of the national standards a habitable room must have as a minimum height 2.70 while for a mezzanine you can go up to 2.4m. In view of these specifications how do we deal with residential units? In this case it is possible to maintain the original height and ignore the regulations. Since this is the current state of the building, as long as the original height is not reduced and keep it as it is, there is no problem.

The guidelines state that the structures may be rebuilt partially or not at all but if reconstructed their original volumetric form must be respected. Would a design intervention proposing partial rebuilding undermine the original form? For the pigsty and garage buildings participants are free to decide whether to rebuild these structures fully, partially or not at all. If rebuilt, it will be required to keep the same volumetric shape of the buildings and not to design something that has a completely different form.

Is it possible to propose alternative quantities of units for each building? For example, three instead of two units in Building B (Farmer’s House). Yes, it is possible. Feel free to adjust the number of units according to your own project.

Is it possible to propose alternative uses for the buildings, different from those indicated in the guidelines? For example, using one of the buildings for shared areas instead of housing units. Yes, each designer is free to introduce/mix a different function in one of the buildings (such as common uses programs). Remember that any of these decisions should be justified by the general concept behind the project.

For the Farmer's House, the prompt states that this is a one-story volume, but it looks like it is 2-stories in the photographs. Should it be divided as one duplex with two units or two duplexes with four units? The farmers' house has a ground floor + 1 storey. So you basically have the entrance level floor and then one floor above.

For the Porch, “to enhance the double-height of the original building” does this mean that the new units should be 2-stories? The Porch building is 6,25 metres on the highest part and 4.95 on the lowest (see corresponding section). Naturally, it is a very height space and you can think of solutions like mezzanine, loft, etc. that uses that height in the best way. Feel free to decide how to divide that space.

The prompt states that the units of the stable can be distributed above and below or as duplexes, but wouldn't that distribution already be a duplex? How many individual units should fit inside this structure? A duplex would be a unit that has a ground floor + 1 floor, so this means that you divide the units having them in both levels. In case you do not design duplexes, you can have some units only on the ground floor and the others only on the first floor. The amount of units requested are 2 or 3 (you can find more information on the Design Guidelines inside the download package).

What does the following sentence mean? ''Farmers house can be divided horizontally or vertically as duplexes.'' What do you mean duplex exactly? In the sentence, “Farmers house can be divided horizontally or vertically as duplexes,” it means that the layout of the house can be separated into distinct living units. This can be achieved through vertical division, which involves dividing the building into different duplexes, or through horizontal division, which entails stacking apartments on top of each other on a single level. Each unit functions as an independent living space within the same overall structure.

If we convert the entire Cascina in a complex with only residential units, who will manage the agricoltural fields? Are they now dealed by people living not in the Cascina Lossano? Or have we to think the new homes for people who will work in the property agricoltural fields? Since the Cascina is now abandoned, the agricultural fields are currently leased. The future users will not need to deal with the management of the fields. This means that the new users could be any kind of people (families, students, couples, etc.).

What is the nature of the fields surrounding the site? Are they rice fields or used for other types of crops? The fields around the Cascina are used for different crops, such as rice, corn and soy. Basically, they rotate them every season.

In addition to building C (Portico), is there also the possibility of introducing other uses other than residential for buildings A, B and D? In buildings A, B, and D, the main intended use is residential. However, it is possible to incorporate some common-use functions, which could be shared among the occupants of the buildings, such as common areas, recreational spaces, or service areas. Nevertheless, it is important to emphasize that the predominant and primary use must still be residential.

Is there a particular group of people that will live in the housing units? It has not been established a particular group of people to live in the housing units. the idea is that each participant imagines with total freedom who could be the typology of user/users according to their design.

Can some of the units be proposed to be as temporary houses/rental units? Even if the majority of the units should be for permanent houses, a few units can be conceived as temporary ones (rental units). Feel free to propose a mix of permanent and temporary homes, and remember that any decision should be justified by the concept behind your project.

What are the specific guidelines for the Pigsty and the Garage buildings? The Pigsty and the Garage buildings will be completely demolished. If a designer decides to rebuild them, their original volumetric shape must be maintained. It will NOT be possible to relocate them to another part of the property, they must be placed exactly on the same original area.

Is the introduction of apartments the only programmatic option for the Porch building? No, the program for the Porch does not strictly has to be residential. Each designer is free to introduce/mix a different function in this building. Remember that any of these decisions should be justified by the general concept behind the project.

Is the competition site boundary occupied currently by the Cascina limited strictly to the one indicated on the plan? Can landscaping extend beyond that to bind the farm with surroundings? The limit indicated in the plan corresponds to the land that now is used only as green space around the Cascina. The fields around are part of the same property but they are currently used as agricultural fields. However, it is up to each participant to decide whether to stay within the boundaries or to extend his/her landscape design to the surrounding fields. Both ideas will be accepted.

At what time are the deadlines for registrations and project submissions? What does 11:59 AM CET mean? The deadlines are set for 11:59 AM CET (Central European Time), which is the time zone used in cities like Rome, Paris, and Berlin, it means that the deadline is actually at midday.

It's important to remember that the 24-hour clock used in Central European Time counts hours from 0 to 23. When you see a deadline of 11:59 AM CET, what it really means is that you have until the end of the morning to submit your work. Once the clock strikes noon, the deadline has passed.

It's always a good idea to double-check the time zone and any specific guidelines for deadlines to make sure you're on track to meet them.

Who can participate in the competition? The competition is open to students, architects, designers, urbanists, engineers, artists, makers, activists and anyone interested in the architectural design.

Is it possible to participate in a team? Participants can join the competition either individually or with a team and there is no restriction or limit in the number of members that can compose a team.

Why registration fees? Registration fees are used to cover the running costs of the competition and to improve customer care services. The registration fees cover taxes, web services, database services and everything related to computer security and the processing of personal data. Registration fees allow us to organize new initiatives to promote creativity and to feed the debate on present and future issues regarding climate change, natural-based solutions and social engagement.

Can I enrol to the competition with my Company or Architecture/Design firm? Yes, you can participate with your Company. To issue your invoice, we ask you to provide your Tax identification number or your VAT Number on the registration procedure. If your Company is based in Europe, we should verify the correctness of your VAT number via the EU Tax authorities (VIES VAT number validation).

How do I register a team? During the registration we only need the personal data of the group leader. The other team members will be indicated in the final submission package at the end of the competition. You will find all the instructions after registering.

Where can I indicate the name of my group mates? (in case you participate as a team) During the registration procedure it is required the information of only one of the team members.
The rest of the member/s of your group will be indicated during the submission of the project inside “Folder B”

Is there any discount for registering more than one group at a time? Regarding the registration of several groups at a time we have customised discount plans that change according to the total number of registrations. For more information, please contact at: info@terravivacompetitions.com

How many projects can be submitted? The payment of one registration fee allows the participant/team to submit one single project. In order to submit additional projects it is required to pay additional registration fees.

Where can I find the instructions for the submission of the project? All the necessary material related to the submission is available in the download section after the registration. An additional download link will be sent to you by email.

Which material do I have to include inside the submission package? The submission package must contain two folders:
Folder A_Project must contain the project submitted to the jury (A1 panels + Text) + Folder B_Group Identity
Use .zip compression to upload your submission folder in our website www.terravivacompetitions.com (upload section).

Where can I find my “Registration Code”? The “Registration Code” (ex. 12345) will be available after complete your registration. In addition will be sent also at your email address.

If I pay the registration fee today I have to submit my project the same day? Or do I still have time until the deadline? The final deadline for the project’s submission is September 22^nd, regardless of when the registration is made (this means that if you register today you have time until the end of the competition to submit your proposal). An early registration only guarantees a discounted price. However you can submit your project in advance. To upload your project please go to the “upload section” on our website.

What representation techniques can be used? Diagrams, sketches, 3D visualizations, plans and sections, collages, model photos, etc… All kinds of graphic representations will be accepted.

Is it possible to include text inside the A1 panels? Yes, it is possible to include text inside the A1 panels. Any kind of text, explanation, data regarding the project will be allowed to be written on the panels – as long as it does not contain any information revealing the identity of the participants – (ex. name, surname, office name, university, etc.).

Is it possible to submit extra material apart from the 2 A1 panels and the 250 words text? No, it will only be accepted the requested material for the submission (2 A1 panels + 250 words text). Any kind of extra material will not be accepted.

Will it be possible to submit a project that has partly being crafted during University? Yes, it is possible to submit a project that has been partially/totally crafted during University. Make sure you have the rights to present the project in case you have done it with other people in the past or the project was part of another competition. You can find more info about the eligibility rules inside the competition Brief.

Are there any restrictions on the nationality of the participants? Teams can be composed by members of different nationalities and there are no restrictions about country of residence.

Is delivery of a hard copy of the A1 panels required? Participants are required to submit the A1 panels only digitally, there’s no need to present any kind of hard copy.

Is this a design only competition? Yes, it is a design competition. This means that the winning project will not be built. The winning project will not be constructed, as the primary goal of this competition is to foster economic, social, and environmental sustainability by exploring innovative architectural approaches. The property reserves the right to further explore the design proposals at the end of the competition in order to pursue any project developments.

How can I upload my project? You can upload your project through the “Upload” page of our website. Inside the upload page you will find all the instructions to submit your project.

I didn’t receive the confirmation email. Is there a way to check if everything has been uploaded properly? If you have not received your receipt please check the spam or junk folder of your e-mail account. For any inquiry, please contact us at: info@terravivacompetition.com

Who will own the rights to the project after delivery? Please note that all rights related to the projects are outlined in the competition brief. Moreover, TerraViva recognizes the legal and philosophical basis of the moral rights of creators with respect to creative and artistic works. Moral rights are the exclusive rights granted by the law to the author in order to protect his personality. Such right of authorship may be exercised at any time by the author (art. 20 of Italian Copyright Law).

Send your questions at: info@terravivacompetitions.com
indicating the following subject: “FAQ – Rural Housing”.
FAQ section will be regularly updated.

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