Architectural Competition

Concours dArchitecture

[DAKAR] Temporary Cinema ///

12

October 2014 ///

INTRODUCTION ///
Dakar is the capital and largest city in Senegal. It is located on
the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland.
Its position, on the western edge of Africa, is an advantageous
departure point for trans-Atlantic and European trade; this fact
aided its growth into a major regional port.
Cinematography is the art or science of motion picture photography. It is the technique of film photography, including both the
shooting and development of the film.
Cinema: A film theatre (also refered to as movie house, film
house, movie theater or picture house) is a venue, usually a
building or desiginated space for viewing films for entertainment. Most film theatres are commercial operations catering to
the general public, who attend by purchasing a ticket.
The history of film began in the 1890s, with the invention of the
first motion-picture cameras and the establishment of the first
film production companies and cinemas.
Senegal has a number of filmmakers such as Ousmane Sembene who wrote and narrated the film Borom Sarret in 1963.
The film received wide recognition in Africa and internationally.
Today, downtown Dakar, a city of 2.5 million people, has almost
no films theatres with many of the old theatre if not all closing
their doors in the last decade.

................................................................................

#02

ABOUT THE COMPETITION ///

The aim of this International Competition is to design a Temporary Cinema within the city of Dakar
in Senegal. This competition hopes to achieve the following:
_Encourage and reward design excellence which integrates function, structure and details.
_Analyse how the thoughtful development of the cinema within the surrounding neighborhood helps
to create a livable community.
_Research, respond to and highlight the unique aspects of designing a temporary structure.
_Build knowledge of design principles related to cultural development within an urban area.
_Encourage the employment of sustainable design in all aspects of the proposal.

..............................................................................................................................
COMPETITION OBJECTIVE ///
The main objectives of this competition is to encourage a sense of community by providing a space
where people of all backgrounds can convine to watch films on a large screen together.

SITE SELECTION ///

And also highlight the cultural benefits of local cinemas as a social space and entertain venue for
escapism which may in turn help foster future film directors, producers, scriptwritters and actors in
Senegal.

There is no selected site for this competition as participants are free to select any location for within
Dakar with enough space to accomodate the proposed temporary cinema.

..............................................................................................................................

However, if participants cannot find a suitable site, then a generic site may be used with the context
of being located in Dakar taken into account in the design.
This site should be in a flat urban area with a clear space of 500 m2 minimum. The structure should
be demountable and movable.

COMPETITION STRUCTURE ///

This is a single stage Competition with the aim of identifying the most appropriate proposal, which
best satisfies the general and specific objective of the contest.

..............................................................................................................................
#03

#04

.............................................................................
THOSE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE ///
Architects, Architecture Graduate, Students or Engineers.
Interdisciplinary teams are also encouraged to enter the
Competition.

.............................................................................
THOSE INELIGIBLE AND CAN NOT PARTICIPATE ///
Employees, staff, consultants, agents or family members of
[AC-CA] personnel.
Employees, partners, friends, family, personnel, office practice or studios associated with any of the jurors.

.............................................................................
COMPETITION PROJECT DISCLAMER ///
This is an open International Competition hosted by [AC-CA]
to generate progressive contemporary design ideas.
There are no plans for the Temporary Cinema to be built.

.............................................................................
#06

..............................................................................................................................
RESTRICTIONS ///
There are no restrictions for this International Competition.
Registration and participation in the Competition implies an immediate acceptance by entrants of all
terms & conditions governing the site and Competition.

..............................................................................................................................
SPECIAL CONDITIONS ///
There are no special conditions, however, the design should sit comfortably and harmoniously with
the chosen site
Submissions can be the work of an individual or a group up to 4 members. There is no age limit,
however, entrants under 18 years of age must be lead or entered by someone over the age of 18.

..............................................................................................................................
ARCHITECTURAL CONTRIBUTION ///
[AC-CA] sees its competitions as providing an opportunity for architectural experimentation, discussion and speculation.
Shadowboxing exhibition by Slowscape Collective

We are interested in motivating architects to provide their own point of view or vision, which very often
may lead to the pushing of the boundaries and rules defined by the Competition.
In other words, entrants are free to explore how far they can push the rules and guidelines set for
Competition without breaking them, to avoid being disqualified.
#07

#08

PROGRAM AND SPACE USED ///

The new proposed Temporary Cinema design should create a friendly and inviting space incorporating the following within the program:
VIEWING ZONE : A minimum 350 m2
_Auditorium: An enclosed, semi-enclosed or open space with rows of comfortable tiered seating
including a professional projection screen and surround sound system.
_Projector room: Located opposite the screen, this space is private with a projector window into the
Auditorium.
SOCIAL ZONE : A minimum 150 m2
_Waiting area A social space with tables, seats etc.. a place to meet, to have drinks or snacks before
or after a film with Information disply for film showing schedules and film posters.
_Ticketing counter: Dimension is open to individual participants design. This should directly connect
to the Waiting area.
_Cafe and snack bar area: Dimension is open to individual participants design. This should directly
connect to the Waiting area.
TOTAL AREA: approximately 500 m2

Note: Due to the fact the Cinema is temporary, no proposal for toilets and catering kitchen facilities
is to be included. Electricity will be provided by connection to a local supplier.

Open-air cinema by Csutoras & Liando

#10

..............................................................................................................................
DESIGN CRITERIA ///
Access: All access must also meet the disabled access standards.
Spatial organisation: Slight variations in the surface area and the free combination (m2) of the different section and uses will be accepted. It is also left to the discretion of participants on how best
to occupy the proposed site.
Structure: Although no engineering calculation is to be presented, an architectonic structural design
is to be suggested as the basis or foundations for the buildings final structural criteria. This means
that the structure should be clearly represented both in plans and sections.
Volume: There are no height restrictions, The volume must relate harmoniously with its context, but
also being unique and original.
Materials: There is no restriction with regards to the choice of materials, however thought should be
giving to the idea of sustainability.
Image: The Structure should project a contemporary image of the Cinema. Consideration should also
be giving to night time illumination of the space.

..............................................................................................................................
#11

#12

AUDITORIUM DESIGN ///

_Every member of the audience requires an unobstructed view of the whole picture area on the
screen, without visual and physical discomfort and picture distortion.
_Picture sharpness and luminance need to be uniform and satisfactory.
_The size and shape of the screen must be related to the shape and rake of the auditorium floor.
_Direct projection from the rear of the auditorium onto the screen.
_For uniform focus a large screen should be curved to keep its surface equidistant.
_The sound track is an integral part of the audience experience, therefore the speakers need to be
located behind the screen, firmly fixed to the platform or screen frame.

The Cineroleum by Assemble

DESIGN OF THE AUDITORIUM SEATING ///

The traditional seating arrangement allows a maximum number of 22 seat in a row. if there are
gangways at both ends of the row then, 11 seat for gangway at one end. Thus in all but the smallest
auditorium the gangways divide the seating into blocks.
Traditional seatings minimum clearance for passage along rows is 300mm and this dimension increases with the number of seats in a row with general seating the passage clearance being not less
than 400 mm and not more than 500 mm. Legislation also dictates the minimum row-to-row dimension at 850 mm for traditional seating.
Gangways are essential escape routes and as such their widths are determined by the number of
seats served. The minimum width is 1100 mm and can be increased by up to 10%

Information on page 13 & 14 are for guide only.

..............................................................................................................................
#13

Folly for a Flyover by Assemble

#14

SCHEDULE ///
_Competition Officially Announced - 01st November 2014
_Start of Competition and Early Bird Registration - 06th to 28th November 2014
_General Registration period 29th November 2014 to 30th January 2015
_Late Competition Registration 31st January to 27th February 2015

..............................................................................................................................

_Deadline for Questions - 15th February 2015

AWARDS ///

_Closing Date for Submissions - 02nd March 2015

Winning participants will receive prizes totalling US$ 6,000 with the distribution as follows:

_Jury Evaluation - 10th March - 17th March 2015

1st PRIZE: US$ 3,500 (THREE THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED US DOLLARS)

_Announcement of Winners and Publication at www.ac-ca.org - 23rd March 2015

2nd PRIZE: US$ 1,700 (ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED US DOLLARS)

Note: All deadlines are 11:59 pm - 00:00 GMT (London).

3rd PRIZE: US$ 800 (EIGHT HUNDRED US DOLLARS)

There will also be 7 honorable mentions.

..............................................................................................................................
PUBLICATION ///
1st Prize, 2nd Prize and 3rd Prize will be published in a number of magazine press and blogs as
well as on the [AC-CA] website.
Please see the list on [AC-CA] website.

#15

Centipede Cinema by Colin Fournier, Marysia Lewandowska and NEON

#16

DEADLINES ///

FEES ///

All entry submissions must be sent via email to dakar@ac-ca.org until midnight on 02nd March 2015
(11:59 pm. - 00:00 GMT London).

_Early Bird Registration:

US$ 80 from 06th November to 28th November 2014

Participants will be responsible for the arrival of their proposals within the corresponding deadlines and
no proposal will be accepted after the deadline.

_General Registration:
US$ 100 from 29th November 2014 to 30th January 2015
_Late Registration:
US$ 120 from 31st January to 27th February 2015
Entrants may register by filling the registration form and
submitting it with the appropriate payment through our secure gateway.
Note:
It will not be possible to amend or update any information
relating to your registration including the names of team
members once validated.
Method of Payment:
Payments can be made to [AC-CA] by the following methods:
_VISA Debit/Credit Card
_Master Card
_Maestro Card
_Solo Switch Card
_Electron Card
_PayPal
#19

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS ///

A single (1) board horizontal digital image with the detail listed below must be submitted via email to
dakar@ac-ca.org:
_Subject of email: Subject of the email must be your unique registration number.
_Image Format: A single zipped or compressed JPG extension file.
_Dimensions: 3500 width x 2600 height (pixels) or 36.45 x 27.08 inches or 92.6 x 68.79 cm to 96dpi.
_File Name: The image file name must correspond to the unique registration number.
(Example: 33333.jpg where 333333 represent the unique registration number assigned and sent to
you by [AC-CA] minutes after a successful registration).
_Max. File Size: 2MB (2 Megabytes).
#19

#20

Stairway Cinema by OH.NO.SUMO

...............................................................................................................................
ADDITIONAL SUBMISSION INFORMATION ///
The presentation technique is absolutely open and at the discretion of the entrant. However, it is recommended that the submitted image include the following information which reflect the main concept
of the design:
_Plans,
_Sections,
_Sketches or perspectives
The presentation should clearly document the proposed design as well as the approach to the project.
Information relating to organisation, materials, treatment of the location and the design should be
included when considered relevant.
The total area of the project should be included on a part of the image. Any additional textual or numerical descriptions should be incorporated into the graphical presentation of the project and expressed in English only.
Entrants unique Registration Number should appear on the upper right side of the image.
(Anonymously - without any names or markings, just the Unique Registration Number).
Note:
Entrants are advised to send their submissions from the same email address used for registration
on the [AC-CA] website, as submissions from a different or an unrecognised e-mail account might be
treated as Spam. This might also prevent us from tracing you in the event we have to contact you.
#21

#22

..............................................................................................................................
JURY ///
This International Competition will be jugded by an panel of professionals including Architects to be
announced.

..............................................................................................................................
EVALUATION AND JUDGING PROCESS ///
The Jury will review the submitted entries based on the Competitions set of objectives and from a
short-list of entries, select the Competition winners with an [AC-CA] consultant overseeing each
stage of the process.
The Jurys decision will be final as stated in the Competitions terms and conditions.

..............................................................................................................................
EVALUATION CRITERIA ///
Entries will be evaluated based on the following 5 main criteria:
_Intelligent and appropriate use of all design principles.
_Use of space and perceive traffic flow within the space.
_The Designs aesthetics and originality.
_The use of sustainable material.
_Clarity and comprehensibility of the design.

#23

#24

..............................................................................................................................
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ///
We highly recommend that participants check the Questions & Answers section (FAQ) of the [AC-CA]
website for updates as this may provide vital answers to questions, additional information and also
reflect any updates and clarification to the brief.

..............................................................................................................................

..............................................................................................................................
COMMUNICATION & TECHNICAL ENQUIRES ///
[AC-CA] is responsible for the enforcement of all DAKAR [12] Competition Rules, management and
fair process. All enquiries and contact relating to the Competition must be addressed to [AC-CA] by
email at dakar@ac-ca.org.
Please be advised that any attempt to contact the jury in relation to the Contest will result in the immediate disqualification of the entrant.

..............................................................................................................................
QUERIES ///
All queries regarding registration, process, fees or payment should be sent by email to:
info@ac-ca.org

..............................................................................................................................
TERMS & CONDIDITONS ///
Please see the terms and conditions section on www.ac-ca.org.

Copyright 2011 - 2015 www.ac-ca.org. All Rights Reserved.

#25