Oculus 2008 Editorial Calendar
If you are an architect by training or see yourself as an astute observer of New York’s architectural and planning scene, note that OCULUS editors are looking for writers for the Fall and Winter issues. The themes:

Fall OCULUS: Practice. Focus of this year’s Practice issue is on the architectural office — the culture and decision-making structure of NY-based practices, how the office’s design reflects the culture, along with the views of key players in the firm.

Winter OCULUS: Competing for Space. Explore the growing competition between expansionist institutions on limited sites and the interests of adjacent communities, many in residential areas with moderate-income families.

If you’re interested, please contact OCULUS editor-in-chief Kristen Richards. with a brief outline and full contact information.

Spring 2008: closed
Summer 2008: closed
Fall 2008: closed
08.01.08 Winter 2008-09: Competing for Space

04.30.08 Call for Entries: LONDON 2008
Arquitectum presents its eighth international contest, an exhibition hosted by the Architectural Association School of London. The theme calls for a movable architecture gallery that travels across the River Thames to connect the various art spaces and collect visitors along the river, especially in the South Bank. The exhibition space should adapt to the movement of the river, to the different requirements of an exhibition and the artist, and to the weather in London. Early registration deadline is 04.30.08; final registration ends 06.30.08.

05.30.08 Call for Entries: USGBC 2008 Natural Talent Design Competition
This competition — which provides an applied learning experience in the principles of integrated design, sustainability, innovation, and social consciousness — calls for a proposed design for the Empire Fulton Ferry Art Center & Middle School. Participants will compete in a local competition, then the first place winner will compete for a national award at GreenBuild Boston in November 2008. Awards include Green Building Scholarships as well as travel and registration to GreenBuild, where finalists’ entries will be displayed and where final judging will occur.

05.30.08 Call for Entries: NYC Green Building Competition
Launched by the Mayor’s Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability and Environmental Protection Agency Region 2, this national competition seeks projects and ideas that promote NYC as the pre-eminent cultural and sustainable urban epicenter. Design projects are encouraged that integrate whole-building principles, employ the tenets of green building construction and end-of-life considerations, anticipate post-occupancy concerns, and complement the community in which they reside.

06.01.08 Call for Entries: 2008 World Habitat Awards
Established in 1985, the World Habitat Awards seek to identify practical, innovative, and sustainable solutions to current housing issues, which are capable of being transferred or adapted for use elsewhere. A panel of international judges assesses entries and awards £10,000 to two winning projects at the annual United Nations global celebration of World Habitat Day. The competition is open to all individuals and organizations, including central and local governments, community-based groups, NGOs, research organizations, and the private sector from any country.

06.01.08 Call for Entries: AIA New Hampshire IDID Awards
The fourth Integrated Design/Integrated Development (IDID) Excellence in Sustainable Design and Development Awards program honors work that contributes to the creation of a sustainable world. Awards are to be presented to outstanding buildings; urban, regional, and rural planning; landscape design; interior design; historic preservation; renovation; and rehabilitation projects. Submissions will be accepted for projects by New England design professionals, or projects in New England by design professionals elsewhere.

06.02.08 Call for Entries: Best Private Plots 08
This competition highlights the garden as a place of innovation, creativity, and action. Award criteria includes: ideas, artistic and conceptual quality, use of plants and materials, relationship between inside and outside, organization of open space, and technical and ecological planning. This is an open competition; candidates can include: landscape architects, architects, garden owners, designers, florists, gardeners, artists, and nurseries. First prize: €7,000; second prize: €5,000; and third prize: €3,000.

06.05.08 Call for Entries: Schiphol Sound Barrier Design Contest
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is organizing an international competition for the design of a sound barrier, to be built parallel to Runway 18R-36L (Polderbaan). The aim is to achieve a reduction in ground noise by at least seven decibels. The barrier must present an innovative solution for the complex problem of ground noise produced by aircraft taking off. Design agencies, businesses, universities, and private persons are invited to enter. The winning design will be awarded a prize of €750,000, with €1,250,000 in prize money to be distributed in total.