Ghost Town Challenge

Homemade Dessert is excited to invite you to participate in our latest architecture vision competition „Ghost Town Challenge” on Karosta, a former soviet military town about 10 km North from Liepaja city centre, Latvia.

Karosta translates as War Port (or Navy Harbour). It is used to be a closed secret military town for the Russian Empire, and later for the Soviet military. As Latvia regained its independence in 1990, the Soviet military had to leave Karosta. As a result the population dropped dramatically from 25 000 to 6 000, leaving many abandoned buildings behind which have fallen into a state of partial or complete disrepair.

Homemade Dessert in collaboration with Liepaja City Council and a number of local artists has created a design brief on Karosta´s revitalization. Before exploring the brief in depth we would suggest you to familiarize yourself with this unique urban context. There are number of impressive historic monuments as St. Nicholas Ortodox Marine Cathedral in the central part ofKarosta, the Horse Arena or Manege and Karosta Prison. Specific and unique poetic value can also be found in brutalist architecture „soviet style” apartment buildings.

The Brief will more closely examine development of Karosta´s urban core by planting a building complex that will be the main attraction of the town and would help to bring back the life to this part of Liepaja city. You are asked to present your architectural vision for a multi-purpose cultural centre that would include museum, library, and conference centre with possible entertainment as retail zones and a restaurant.

This competition is the first competition in the competition series on Liepaja city. This international architecture vision competition is open to everyone. Teams must have no more than 4 people, no professional qualification is required.

• Introduction video - vimeo.com/67714411

• Title: Ghost Town Challenge
• Sponsor: Homemade Dessert
• Type: Open for all
• Registration Deadline: 10/11/2013
• Submission Deadline: 01/12/2013
• Open To: ALL
• Entry Fee: Early entry registration fee: US$ 60 / Regular entry registration fee: US$ 90 / Late entry registration fee: US$ 120
• Awards: US$ 10 000 + 6 honourable mentions will receive complimentary cash prize which will equal to the double registration fee.
• Jury:

Website: homemadedessert.org