Architecture competition organiser Bee Breeders has launched a US$20,000 (€18,500; £15,500) spa design competition in Latvia.
The Blue Clay Country Spa competition is inviting architects of all experience to present ideas for a rural spa and guest house in Kurzeme, Western Latvia. Kurzeme is rich in blue clay, which the spa’s treatments will use, and is noted as one of Latvia’s many ecotourism hubs.
Invitees are asked to create designs for a guest house complex that is capable of providing overnight accommodation for one family, including accommodation for staff and other ecotourism elements, such as a small farm to house local animals.
Designers will have to bear in mind, however, that physical entry to the competition site is limited, with only one dirt road in that passes through natural forests – meaning equipment and resources will need to be somewhat restricted during the development process.
The winning entrant will receive the US$11,000 (€10,000; £8,500) first prize and be put forward for consideration for construction of the spa.
The total prize money remainder will then be split among the runners up, with USD$6,000 (€5,500; £4,500) going to the second placed entrant and US$2,000 (€1,800; £1,500) to the third placed entrant.
The final US$1,000 (€933; £785) will be split evenly between the winning student entrant (BB student award) and the entry deemed best for sustainability practices in construction methods, materials used, logistics, maintenance and innovation (BB green award).
Entrance fees start at US$100 (€93; £79) for students and US$120 (€112; £94) for architects, enthusiasts and companies. The registration deadline is 25 January 2017 and the project submission deadline is 11:59 GMT on 15 February 2017. The winners will be announced on 8 March 2017.
