BLNKA URBAN EXPLORATION COMPETITION

- BUEC -

IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE

The competition was held on BLNKA JAM ‘19 [11.01.2019] at Downtown Lubbock (Broadway & Avenue J).

The competition showcased multiple visions of Lubbock’s Downtown Community by the year 2040. BLNKA’s goal was to focus on local property and business owners to re-imagine areas of downtown as preeminent stages through design proposals for properties on Broadway between Ave J & K (A-H). An open community dialogue between investors and entrepreneurs to connect and collaborate between locals to bring change to the area. The participants’ challenge was to develop the 2040 vision of urban exploration for Lubbock’s local culture, daily life, and/or nightlife to create that change.

The JUDGES -

DAVID J. ISERN, ARdP, Assoc. AIA, Architecture Design Faculty

REBECCA BARNS Project Manager. MWM ARCHITECTS [Local Architecture Firm)

LEAN FATHI M.Arch TTU, Graduate Ambassador of Texas Tech University

COURTNEY BISHOP M.Arch., Graduate Assistant at Texas Tech University

THE WINNERS:

1st place - DUST.

“The simple geometry of the design that takes into consideration both a major and well transited street that connects the city of Lubbock, as well as an alley starts to create a conversation of what Lubbock downtown can be. The introduction of the green roof, open spaces that faces courtyards and the simple vertical transition, allows for the building to be success for many year to come. The presence of the façade is simple, but the interior of the is open and contrast in a positive manner allowing the building to engage activity and the community.”

- David Isern

2nd Place - Generation of an Urban Ecology

“The building takes an existing building in a prominent corner of downtown Lubbock, opens it up allowing for more transparency into the building, opening it to the public and the street and bringing ecology into the building itself; making the building less austere and allowing the activities of the inside to be reflected on the outside. This proposal sets a great precedent to the possibilities of using current buildings in Lubbock, repurposing them and bringing back the vitality that has been lost.”

-David Isern

3rd Place - Urban Toolkit 

“Flexibility of the space allows for great optimization of not only the space but the activities that engage with the community. The versatility that comes through the design and the use objects like containers that are transform into urban spaces and canvases, provides a great sense of power to the public spaces.”

-David Isern

CONGRATULATIONS, WINNERS!

We are so proud of each one of you. We also want to commend ALL the other participants in this competition. You guys all did great work!

Until our next competition …