Lobby 7 Design Competition

Lobby 7 Design Competition

Lobby 7 Design Competition by the Class of 1954

The history of Lobby 7

The public face of MIT is 77 Massachusetts Ave. The building, with its imposing Ionic porch and lofty interior, is not only an architectural landmark in its own right, but also the gateway into the world of MIT. The lobby – officially titled the William Barton Rogers Lobby, but more popularly called Lobby 7 – was designed in 1939 by William Welles Bosworth as the culminating element of the campus that he designed and that was built in 1916. Unfortunately, ever since the completion of Lobby 7, the four plinths that define the corners of the great rotunda have remained empty. They were originally intended as the bases for statues celebrating Aristotle, Ictinus, Archimedes and Callicrates.

The competition is to illicit and present designs for filling the four Lobby 7 plinths. Designs are to be created in the spirit of MIT’s official creed “mens et manus”. They should also celebrate the past, present, and future spirit of MIT innovation.

This Competition, which is sponsored by The Class of 1954, will be held in two stages. In the first stage there will be 12 finalists, 6 in the undergraduate section and 6 in the graduate section. The finalists will be asked to further develop their designs which will be exhibited in the Wolk Gallery. Each of the 12 finalists will receive $400.00 to cover their expenses for materials. Six winners will be determined from the finalists.

There is no guarantee that any of the winning entries will be built.

Prizes and Exhibition

There will be two sections of student entrants: graduate and undergraduate. Each section will have its own set of prizes: $10,000 for first, $2,500 for second, and $1,000 for third.

In the first round, which ends Nov 1, 2010, up to 12 finalists, 6 from each section, will be chosen and asked to further develop their entries. Each entrant will be given $400.00 to cover expenses. The prizes will be chosen from this group.

The jury will announce the final prize winners on April 15th, 2011 at a ceremony that will be part of the 150th celebration of the founding of MIT.

The MIT Museum will host an exhibition of the winning entries at the Wolk Gallery in Building 7. The exhibition will take place from April 15th to May 15th, 2011.

Organization

The Lobby 7 Design Competition is co-chaired by Harvey Steinberg ’54 and Joseph Blake ’54 and directed by Mark Jarzombek, Associate Dean of the School of Architecture and Planning. The Lobby 7 Design Competition is sponsored by the Class of 1954 in partnership with the Schoolof Architecture & Planning, and the MIT Museum, Gary Van Zante, Curator of Architecture and Design.

Administered by

Duks Koschitz

The Jury

The jury will consist of members of the faculty of MIT, an alumni representative of the Class of 1954, as well as distinguished architectural professionals associated with MIT.

Eligibility

The competition is open to any registered MIT student, who is enrolled during the academic years 2009/10 and/or 2010/11. Students can work individually or in teams.

Requirements

Designs must be sited on top of the pedestalsand can extend into the vertical space above the pedestalsin accordance with this PDF. The proposed designs must be free standing self supporting and can only rest on top of the plinth.Apart from considerations about stability, health, public safety and decency there are no aesthetic pre-conditions. Electricity is available at each pedestal but there is no requirement that it be used.

Materials to submit

The proposals for all 4 pedestals need to be printed on a single 11” by 17” sheet of paper using the template in the download section. Every student can submit one proposal. Teams can only submit under the designated team leader’s ID.

The student’s MIT ID number followed “U” (undergraduate) or “G” (graduate) has to be printed on the backside of the submitted sheet (see template). Move the project title and description to fit your printer’s margins if necessary.

The printed proposals need to be dropped off and a PDF version of the proposal needs to be submitted via email.

Send the PDF to: by Nov 1st, 2010.

Drop off the print at 10-303 between Oct 28th and Nov 1st, 2010 and have it logged into the competition book and receive a receipt.

Help Desk

Questions regarding a general direction about public art and design can be by sent to XXX. The Help Desk will be open between from May 7th to Oct 20th, 2010

Q & A

Direct your questions about technical issues to

Answers will be posted on the website.

Notice of intent to participate

Send you name and student ID via email to

Schedule

Public Announcementand Official Opening of CompetitionMay 7, 2010

Q & A beginsMay, 2010

Q & A first round of posting of answersMay 15, 2010

Notice of intent to participateSept 16, 2010

Q & A endsSept 23, 2010

Submission of Stage 1Nov 1, 2010

Announcement of 12finalistsDec 15, 2010

Submission of Stage 2March 18, 2011

Award Ceremony & Announcement of winnersApril 15, 2011

Property Rights

Electronic files remain the property of the MIT Museum. The MIT Museum retains the right to keep and store any of the models and drawings that are selected for the exhibition.