Frequently Asked Questions
Use the online form to submit a question.
REGISTRATION | ELIGIBILITY | SITE | IMAGES | OTHER
REGISTRATION
Can I modify my registration information or add a team member later?
The Update Registration page is currently unavailable, but will be working very soon. As soon as that page becomes available you will be able to change any of your registration information (including the names of team members) except your registration number.
What additional information will I receive after I register?
After registering and paying the registration fee, you will receive online access to high resolution photos and maps, as well as Adobe Illustrator and PDF versions of the maps. Thumbnails of these maps and photographs are posted on the Images page.
Why is the registration fee higher than previous Van Alen Institute competitions?
In previous competitions entrants were required to print, mount, and ship their entries to our offices; for this competition entrants will submit all files digitally. The two boards per entrant will be printed, mounted, and laminated by the competition sponsors to be used for both the jury and a public exhibition of all entries. By printing the boards at the same time we will be guaranteeing uniform high quality and preventing shipping damage. This process will eliminate all printing and shipping time and expenses for the registrant. The registration fee was raised to help cover this cost.
May I submit more than one project and with different team members?
You may register and submit as many projects as you like. Each submission requires its own registration and payment. Each registration will have a different username and registration number. Different registrations may include either the same or different team members.
When I try to register, I receive an error message stating “This username/password is already in use. Please try another”. What should I do?
Most likely this happened because you started to register before, but did not complete the payment process. The registration, payment and activation processes must be completed together. Either contact Van Alen Institute to remove your incomplete registration, which will allow you to use your intended username and password, or you may choose to register with a different username.
I received my degree from a European school. Am I eligible?
Yes, as long as your degree is equivalent to one of the degrees in the registration form (MArch, BArch, BLA, MLA, MAUD, MUP) or you have an advisor with an equivalent degree, you are eligible.
I am not a current student, nor do I have a professional design degree. Do I need an advisor?
Yes, anyone who does not have a professional design degree (MArch, BArch, MLA, MAUD, MUP or equivalent) from an accredited school must have an advisor who does.
I have a degree in architecture history. Am I eligible?
You must have a professional design degree (MArch, BArch, MLA, MAUD, MUP or equivalent) from an accredited school to enter without an advisor. Anyone may enter with an advisor who has a professional design degree from an accredited school.
Are we allowed to register in the 2nd phase of the competition if we didnt participate in the first?
No. In the first phase of the competition, up to five finalist teams will receive $5,000 each to continue on to the next phase of the competition.
I will receive my professional design degree before the submissions are due but after the registration deadline. Do I still need to include an advisor on my team?
As long as you have your degree before the submission deadline, you do not need an additional advisor.
What will be the first place award for the second phase?
The winner of the second phase of the competition will receive a monetary award (TBD) and the opportunity to work with a team towards possible implementation.
What is the site for this competition? Will registered entrants receive maps for a specific site?
The site is the vacancy found throughout the entire city of Philadelphia; there is no specific site for this stage of the competition. The competition sponsors are seeking ideas that are specific enough to take advantage of Philadelphia’s resources, while still being flexible enough to be applied to any neighborhood in Philadelphia suffering from urban vacancy. In the next phase of the competition finalists will be given a specific site to work with.
What is the ownership status of the vacant lands?
The lots are in a variety of ownership states ranging from city to private ownership, depending upon the location and history of the specific area. For this first phase, ownership should not be a primary factor in preparing a design response.
In the 2nd phase, is there only 1 specific site or the 5 finalists can choose their own sites?
The sites for the second phase have not been determined. The organızers will work wıth the finalists to select the most suıtable site/s for their proposal.
What's the typical size of a street block in Philadelphia? How tall are the typical row houses? How wide are they per house? What's the size of the vacant lots on your photos?
Street blocks in Philadelphia are usually 400x400ft. This “block” is the major block cell in Philly divided by main streets. This block cell is then composed of 3 smaller blocks of 400x115ft divided by alleyways. This pattern is clear throughout the city (check out an aerial of north Philly) Typically you find 2-story structures on alleyways and 3-story structures on main streets. This was designed according to the block cell described above. Width goes from 10-12ft wide on alleyways to 15-24ft on main streets. Lots are usually 10-12ft x 45-55ft (length) on alleyways and 15-24ft x 55-75ft (length) on main streets. Of course, you get all possible combinations of the above (especially in highly vacant areas). In addition you have other patterns in lower density areas such as the northeast and northwest sections of the city.
Could you, please give us the exact units your "Vacancy lot density" map is measured in? Is it the amount of vacant lots per mile, or per 10.000 sq meters, or any other?
The map is just the number of vacant lots by neighborhood. It is not a ratio of any kind.
Can I receive access to the high-resolution images before registering?
No, only registered entrants can access the high-resolution images.
Will additional maps or drawings (Sanborn, topography, CAD, etc.) be provided after registration?
We have provided general maps and aerial photographs, and encourage registrants to utilize any additional resources that they feel are necessary to communicate their idea. The competition partners anticipated a variety of map/information requests, and have provided an extensive bibliography which includes specific links to additional data sources.
Will I receive additional information in the mail?
No, all information is available on this website. There is no additional print information.
What scale should my submitted drawings be?
There is no required scale, although you should clearly mark scale and/or dimension on any scaled drawings. You should choose the drawings, scale and layout that best communicates your design idea. Board A must include a single large image (of your choice), the text of your project description (250 words or less), and your registration number. It may also include an additional small image. Board B must include your registration number, and may include whatever drawings, details, or images you decide are necessary to explain your concept. The important thing is that your idea is clearly communicated.
Where can I find a copy of the May 5 town meeting notes [hopes + aspirations] and the river corridors workshop and its resulting theme discussions, as well as the neighborhoods session with the list of assets, liabilities, maps, hopes and wishes?
This information is on the Philadelphia LANDvisions site (Link on top left corner of page).
Use the online form to submit a question.