Sebastopol, Cailf., invites designers to submit ideas for renewing city center

The City of Sebastopol, together with The Redwood Empire Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and a group of local business sponsors, is hosting The Core Project, an international design competition to generate innovative ideas for renewing the city center. A small town with a population of approximately 8,000 people, Sebastopol is the hub of western Sonoma County. It provides commercial and community access for roughly 50,000 people in outlying rural and residential areas but it retains a desirable small town feel.

The goal of The Core Project is to explore how the physical presence of Sebastopol can become a more economically thriving and aesthetically vibrant place, reflecting the naturally beauty of the region and the character of the community. Each entry should emphasize one or more of the following key elements: traffic, commerce, and strengthening the connection between built and natural landscapes. Additionally, entrants are urged to submit innovative, challenging but feasible proposals to implement real, comprehensive changes.

International entrants from diverse disciplines including student and professional architects, landscape architects, developers, engineers, urban planners, transportation planners, and artists are invited to participate. Multidisciplinary and collaborative design teams are strongly encouraged.

The competition is juried and cash prizes will be awarded. There will be a public exhibition and online publication of top award winners. A follow-up forum to determine possible implementation of design ideas is planned for early 2012. Cash prizes will be based upon number of entries and will be awarded at sole discretion of the jury.

The registration period is August 29 through October 17, 2011. The submission deadline is October 24, 2011 by 5 p.m. PST. Winners will be announced November 6, 2011.

For more information, to become a sponsor, or to enter, visit http://www.the-core-project.org.

Multifamily housing asking rents remained the same for a second straight month in February 2023, at a national average rate of $1,702, according to the new National Multifamily Report from Yardi Matrix. As the economy continues to adjust in the post-pandemic period, year-over-year growth continued its ongoing decline.

Three multifamily projects that had challenges to overcome

Affordable Housing | Mar 14, 2023

3 affordable housing projects that overcame building obstacles

These three developments faced certain obstacles during their building processes—from surrounding noise suppression to construction methodology.

Healthcare Facilities | Mar 13, 2023

Next-gen behavioral health facilities use design innovation as part of the treatment

An exponential increase in mental illness incidences triggers new behavioral health facilities whose design is part of the treatment.

Student Housing | Mar 13, 2023

University of Oklahoma, Missouri S&T add storm-safe spaces in student housing buildings for tornado protection

More universities are incorporating reinforced rooms in student housing designs to provide an extra layer of protection for students. Storm shelters have been included in recent KWK Architects-designed university projects in the Great Plains where there is a high incidence of tornadoes. Projects include Headington and Dunham Residential Colleges at the University of Oklahoma and the University Commons residential complex at Missouri S&T.

Mixed-Use | Mar 11, 2023

Austin mixed-use development will provide two million sf of office, retail, and residential space

In Austin, Texas, the seven-building East Riverside Gateway complex will provide a mixed-use community next to the city’s planned Blue Line light rail, which will connect the Austin Bergstrom International Airport with downtown Austin. Planned and designed by Steinberg Hart, the development will include over 2 million sf of office, retail, and residential space, as well as amenities, such as a large park, that are intended to draw tech workers and young families.

The cube-like Perelman Performing Arts Center will bring new artistic life to New York's downtown.

Performing Arts Centers | Mar 9, 2023

Two performing arts centers expand New York’s cultural cachet

A performing arts center under construction and the adaptive reuse for another center emphasize flexibility.

Architects | Mar 9, 2023

HLW achieves Just 2.0 label for equity and social justice

Global architecture, design, and planning firm HLW has achieved The International Living Future Institute’s (ILFI) Just 2.0 Label. The label was developed for organizations to evaluate themselves through a social justice and equity lens.