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In the 125 years since William Le Baron Jenney’s 10-story Home Insurance Building in Chicago became the world’s first skyscraper, the spectacle of soaring towers has become increasingly common wherever land is scarce, allowing cities to stack life ever taller, denser and more dynamic. Like cathedrals and palaces of the past, skyscrapers today define their cities’ identities as they shape the skyline. As the late critic Herbert Muschamp wrote of these modern wonders, “Contemporary architects reveal the inner world in the process of adorning the outer one.”

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WELCOME TO

MOCK FIRMS

STUDENT-BASED ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN COMPETITION

2011 INTERNATIONAL SKYSCRAPER CHALLENGE

"ARCHITECTURE THAT WORKS"

Twisting Torso - Malmo Gothenburg Proposed hotel - Stockholm

INTRODUCTION

In light of the volatile nature of the current global economy, businesses in urban centers are trending towards sustainable policies and practices which they hope will enable them to work more efficiently. One key component leading to the achievement of this goal is the commitment to smart architectural design. "Architecture that Works" is the theme of 2011 Mock Firms International Skyscraper Challenge which seeks to focus student-design groups on issues involving improving the urban work environment through innovative uses of space, structure and sociology. The desired outcome is the creation of "hyper-vertical communities of commerce" which inspires in form and "works" in function for both internal and external people populations.

THE COMPETITION

Just in its 3rd year, the Chicago-based Mock Firms Architectural Competition is already highly regarded on the landscape of student-based design competitions. The Mock Firms model aims to help facilitate the formation and function of simulated architectural design firms by collegiate and secondary school students. The purpose is to challenge them to conceive, coordinate, construct and even commercialize a tall building project for Stockholm, Sweden which will be interactively judged by top industry professionals against a field of their peers. Teams or "firms" can consist from between 2 - 4 partners (an additional one can be an instructor) Additional classmates are encouraged be involved in the overall process as skilled "employees."

Top Entry Presentation

Top Marketing Firm

Top Mock Firm Organization

Top Building Project

Top Conceptual Platform

Top American Mock Firm

Top European Mock Firm

PREVIOUS YEAR RESULTS

Nearly 40 registered student-firms

Over 100 individual participants

Out of over 25 academic institutions

From 7 countries

Over $2,000 in prizes distributed

FACULTY & ADMIN - AVAILABILITY FOR STUDIO DESIGN PROJECT

If you are administrating or instructing studio classes within your school or college of architecture, consider utilizing the design criteria for the 2011 International Skyscraper Challenge as a semester studio assignment. In addition to the benefit of availing yourself to this ready-made design brief, your class can benefit from the measurement against the best among their peers as well as the rare personal evaluation of their work from leaders in design profession.

SOA & COA STUDENTS - CONSIDER FOR INDEPENDENT STUDY PROJECT

Undergrad and graduate architecture students take this opportunity to put your talents and abilities into the marketplace through participating in this years' International Skyscraper Challenge. In utilizing the 2011 Mock Firms Competition as a classroom studio, independent study project or a personal project among friends, you can position yourself to be recognized among the some of the world's top collegiate prospects to firms seeking to take on the best and the brightest! Take advantage today of this unique opportunity to show you have what it takes to play a meaningful role in a firm as you organize your team (firm) to advance a design project through from start to finish. Then get to experience our exclusive one-on-one interaction with the nation's top design professionals who'll advise you and your team on what it takes to get to the next level. Find a faculty sponsor and register today!

NEW FOR 2011!

We are excited to announce a number of changes for this year's presentation event.

A more, simplified and specified scoring rubric
Non-attending firms will be able to submit additional physical material
Instructors' Breakfast Gathering
Tour of a major firm for early registrants
An Instructors' Breakfast Gathering
Awarded participants will have complimentary entry to the National Skyscraper Museum in New York City
Sky-Riser's Awards Banquet for Future Designers

TARGET DATES AND VENUE

Our tentative date for the competition is May 6, 2011 on Chicago's exciting and historic Michigan Avenue. Additionally, we are looking to continue at the Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center just steps from Millennium Park and Willis (Sears) Tower. The due date schedule is as follows:

Registration Forms are due with and are to be submitted together with competition fee

Early Registration - August 30 through September 30, 2010

Regular Registration - October 1, 2010 through January 15, 2011

Late Registration - January 16, 2011 through March 15, 2011

Concept Sketches - February 16, 2011

Video Presentations - April 2, 2011

Submission Deadline for Non-attendees - April 22, 2011

Project Presentation - Friday, May 6, 2011

PLAN FOR CHICAGO-STYLE FUN IN THE AMAZING ARCHITECTURE RACE!

Regular Architecture Race registration Deadline - Mar 7. 2011

Late Architecture Race Registration Period - March 8 Through April 30, 2011

Amazing Architecture Race - Saturday, May 7, 2011

REGISTERING

Students looking to participant in the 2011 installment of the Mock Firms International Skyscraper Challenge only need to secure the following:

2-4 student participants
submit registration form by deadline
submit registration fee by deadline
submit a 1-3 page brief or summary of the proposal by deadline
submit 1-3 8 1/2" x 11"-sized conceptual sketches by deadline

DOWNLOAD MOCK FIRMS REGISTRATION FORM

REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW

The basic required submissions for the competition are as follows: for a more detailed description of each item, please refer to the design brief which can be downloaded below

An organizational chart or description outlining the hierarchy and functions of all contributing members of your team
Promotional materials i.e. brochures, business cards, etc for your building project
A video presentation introducing your firm (all partners), location, and your project
Board presentations showing plans, perspectives & sections of your building
CAD drawings consisting of the primary elevation, a site plan, office plan, sections, and a 3-D perspective view.
A scaled physical model of the building and its surrounding environs.
A 10 minute oral presentation selling company and building proposal which should include descriptions of materials used, architectural styling, amenities, features, innovations, sustainability and LEED design goals, creative financing, and community benefits.

ENTRANT QUALIFICATIONS

Mock Firms competitions are open to all registered or enrolled collegiate students whether undergraduate or graduate level. Qualifying institutions do not have to be accredited "design" programs but can also include community colleges and liberal arts schools. Individuals who are currently not enrolled but are not employed or interning at a design firm and are no more than 2 years removed from their last attendance or graduation date can also qualify but should seek to retain a faculty sponsor or advisor from their affiliated school. Because Mock Firms is a wholly collaborative enterprise, entrants must register a team of no less than two (2) partners to qualify for competition. A "firm" should consist of students from the same institution or not enrolled at any institution at the time registration.

PRESENTATION PARTICIPATION

All competition registrants will be eligible to make final presentations. Multiple "firms" from a school, program or class is acceptable. Sponsors or instructors do not have to accompany student-participants. Final project presentations will take place for 1 day in Chicago on the first weekend of May. However, we understand that coming to Chicago may not be a realistic option for some participants. Therefore, project materials can be sent to Chicago in lieu of your being present there.

PROCEDURE FOR NON-ATTENDEES

As previously mentioned, it is anticipated that some registrants will not be able to make the trip to Chicago for a variety of reasons. In consideration of this, we want those of you to whom this might apply to know that our determination is to make every effort to assure your project receives an equal assessment with those present. One of the ways we seek to accomplish this is to permit non-attendees the use of additional materials to help fill in the gaps which might result from not being able to vocally explain your design. Details of what the these exceptions are will be available upon registration.

TARGET SITE

The target site for the collegiate division of the 2011 Mock Firms Internal Skyscraper Challenge is the Scandinavian country of Sweden. Situated in Northern Europe, Sweden lies west of the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Bothnia, providing a long coastline, and forms the eastern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. To the west is the Scandinavian mountain chain (Skanderna), a range that separates Sweden from Norway. Finland is located to its northeast. About 85% of the population live in urban areas, and it is expected that these numbers will gradually rise as a part of the ongoing urbanization. Sweden's capital is Stockholm, which is also the largest city in the country (population of 1.3 million in the urban area and with 2 million in the metropolitan area).

Sweden's Skyscrapers

The tallest building in Sweden is the 57-story Turning Torso building, which rises 190.5 m (646ft), in Malmö and was completed in 2005. It also stands as the tallest building in Scandinavia. The second-tallest building in the country is the Kista Science Tower, which rises 117 m (384 ft) in height. It stood as Sweden's tallest building from 2003 until 2005. The third-tallest building in the country is the 84 m (276-foot) DN-Skrapan, which stood as Sweden's tallest building from 1964 until 2003.

The history of skyscrapers in Sweden began with the completion of Kungstornen on Kungsgatan in Stockholm. The twin towers are each 60 m (197 ft) high and were completed in 1924 and 1925 respectively. During World War II, the construction of high-rise buildings in Sweden was limited because of the prevailing economic depression. After the war, the high-rise buildings increased, and skyscrapers such as Wenner-Gren Center, Skatteskrapan, Hötorgsskraporna, Folksamhuset, and Kronprinsen were built.

In recent years, the interest for skyscrapers increased in Sweden again, mainly represented by the completion of Turning Torso in Malmö and the Kista Science Tower in Stockholm. Scandic Kista is a 146 m (476 ft) high proposed skyscraper that is scheduled for construction in 2008 and 2009. It will be Sweden's second highest building when completed. Mölndal Tower is another proposed skyscraper that is not scheduled for construction for now; it would be Sweden's third highest building at 122 m (400 ft) when completed.

Many Swedish skyscraper projects have been canceled because of conservative groups fearing any change., or because the plans were proved economically unsustainable. A 200 m (656 ft) high skyscraper, called Tell Us Tower, was planned for construction in 2010 at Telefonplan in Stockholm's southern suburbs, but the plans were canceled in 2007. There were plans to construct a 325 m (1,066 ft) high skyscraper, Scandinavian Tower, in Malmö, but they were canceled in 2004. If built, the Scandinavian Tower would have been the tallest skyscraper in Europe. A taller skyscraper is planned to be finished in Moscow in 2011.

Skyscrapers in Stockholm has been proposed several times, but has always been stopped, or reduced to a high rise building instead. But, on a more positive note, there are groups which want to promote the building of skyscrapers in greater Stockholm.

Excerpt from Wikipedia

DOWNLOAD THE DESIGN BRIEF HERE

MOCK FIRMS

CHICAGO 2010 REVIEW

COLLEGIATE

INTERNATIONAL

SKYSCRAPER

CHALLENGE

GLOBAL CHALLENGES: ARCHITECTURAL SOLUTIONS

The Mexico City 2010 Initiative

Cal-Poly's Metous with juror architects Ross Wimer and Joel Berman

Well another year is in the books for the Mock Firms International Skyscraper Challenge held in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Over 30 total firms competed in several divisions to be ultimately selected as the top student-firm for 2010. Competing student-firms were asked to conceptualize a residential tall building design for Mexico City. Not only were the quality of projects which were brought to Chicago amazing, but the representatives of each firm were just as impressive in appearance and approach. Unfortunately, as with any competitive undertaking, there will be a limited numbers of winners. Yet, we want to recognize each participating firm which took their projects to completion and the winning effort and excellence which went into them.

We also want to thank our all-star collection of jurors which included the following:

Antony Wood, Executive Director, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

Jan Klerks, Research Specialist, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

Joel Berman, Principal, Berman Architecture, Chicago

Michael Gelick, Professor of Architecture, University of Illinois - Chicago

Ross Wimer, Partner, Skidmore Owings Merrill, Chicago

Terry Guen, Principal, Terry Guen Design Associates, Chicago

Stephen L. Monaco, AIA | Director of Design and Construction, Steinco Studio

And a special thanks to our sponsor - IMAGINIT Technologies

Look for competition photos on our Flickr Page!

RESULTS FOR THE 2010 MOCK FIRMS COMPETITION

[ Listing includes recent corrections. Our apologies for any incomplete postings ]