National Philharmonic of Moldova 
Philharmonic after 2020 fire
Sponsor: Government of Moldova Ministry of Culture
Type: Open, International, RfQ
Eligibility: Registered Architects/Landscape architects
(Applicants should be able to show expertise in preservation)
Language: English
Fees: none
Timetable:
February 2023 – Submission deadline (Registration now underway)
Jury: The international jury will be made up of architects, musicians and specialists in the field of acoustics.
History:
The first information about the building of the Philharmonic dates back to 1912. The building was firstly intended as a place for theatrical and circus performances. The construction was completed in 1913. The building endured several interventions throughout the exploitation period. In the period between 1920-1930 it was also assigned the function of a cinema, exhibition and polyvalent space.
During the years 1957-1968, extensive works were carried out to rehabilitate the Philharmonic building. A new block with three levels and a partial basement was annexed to the existing block, as well as the semi-polygonal colonnade at the main entrance. The project was carried out by the architect Valentin Voițehovski within the Design Institute ”Moldghiprostroi” (actual Urban project).
(The Philharmonic has been closed since the fire in 2020. Thus, the need for a major renovation and updating of the structure(s).) 
Aerial showing fire damage
Design challenge:
The main purpose of the competition is to design the architectural concept for the building of the Chisinau “Serghei Lunchevici” National Philharmonic Hall, with a footprint of about 2500 m2, which will meet the country’s need for a modern building for acoustic concerts. The concept will present an architectural design of exceptional quality, contributing to the further development of the city’s image.
The design should pay great attention to using culture and the musical arts in order to stimulate a sense of shared experience. It is expected to be able to integrate the national cultural activity and attract both the public and local and international artists.
The participants are asked to develop a concept that will include parts of the existing building, taking into account the need for their rehabilitation.
The concept should:
• Create a building of exceptional value, which will be the main host of acoustic concerts, with the aim of raising public awareness towards acoustic music and musical arts in general;
• Provide a favorable environment for musical creation;
• Ensure that the access and the course of the edifice will be equal for everyone, including people with special needs. For more information and to register:
https://rising.philharmonic.md/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/taskbook.pdf |
Perkins & Will
Carrying the label, “Artistic Ideas Competition,” five firms vied for a commission to design a new National Museum of the U.S. Navy. Household names, the five were
Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) Copenhagen/ New York
Gehry Partners (Los Angeles)
DLR Group (Columbus, OH)
Perkins&Will (Chicago) Winner!
Quinn Evans (Ann Arbor) With a site not yet identified, it is possible that a final design will look quite different from the present submission. the Navy has expressed a preference for M Street SE and 6th Street SE, near the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. Young Architects in Competitions When Competitions and a New Generation of Ideas Elevate Architectural Quality 
by Jean-Pierre Chupin and G. Stanley Collyer
published by Potential Architecture Books, Montreal, Canada 2020
271 illustrations in color and black & white
Available in PDF and eBook formats
ISBN 9781988962047
What do the Vietnam Memorial, the St. Louis Arch, and the Sydney Opera House have in common? These world renowned landmarks were all designed by architects under the age of 40, and in each case they were selected through open competitions. At their best, design competitions can provide a singular opportunity for young and unknown architects to make their mark on the built environment and launch productive, fruitful careers. But what happens when design competitions are engineered to favor the established and experienced practitioners from the very outset? This comprehensive new book written by Jean-Pierre Chupin (Canadian Competitions Catalogue) and Stanley Collyer (COMPETITIONS) highlights for the crucial role competitions have played in fostering the careers of young architects, and makes an argument against the trend of invited competitions and RFQs. The authors take an in-depth look at past competitions won by young architects and planners, and survey the state of competitions through the world on a region by region basis. The end result is a compelling argument for an inclusive approach to conducting international design competitions. Download Young Architects in Competitions for free at the following link: https://crc.umontreal.ca/en/publications-libre-acces/ Six Firms Competed to Rethink the Future of a Major Museum 
Aerial view of winning design ©Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos (courtesy Malcolm Reading Consultants)
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Courtesy Malcolm Reading Consultants, ©Kengo Kuma & Associates
A UNESCO World Heritage Site Again on the World Stage How does one approach a challenge when creating a design worthy of a park with a history dating back to antiquity? This was what four design teams faced when shortlisted for the design of a Visitor Center for the Butrint National Park in Albania. The park’s history is illuminating in this regard.
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Chungji National Heritage Museum Competition
Image ©Ona Architects + Jongjin Lee architects + Laguillo Arquitectos
For those unfamiliar with Korean Heritage and its symbols, the choice of the jury for a new complex to house artifacts, now located at various scattered sites, would seem to beg more information, especially when one views the designs of the non-selected finalists—all quite modern. Some of this can certainly be explained by the subject matter of the new museum’s holdings, another by the site in broader terms. Some might say that emphasis placed on the heritage element in the design brief fostered an interpretation leading to the choice of the winning design: “The site chosen for the new Chungji National Museum is logical: Chungju, located in the central part of the Korean Peninsula, is the center of the so-called ‘Jungwon culture,’ which has played an important role geographically and historically since ancient time. Jungwon culture developed around the Namhan River, which runs through the central region from east to west, and the relics showing this are currently scattered and stored in various museums.”
Read more… University of Florida’s College of Design Construction and Planning’s New Addition 
Development phase image courtesy ©Brooks + Scarpa
If architects have had one complaint concerning the planning and realization of a project, it has been with planners and especially construction managers, both of whom often display a lack of knowledge about architecture. The survival of a well-conceived design can hang in the balance when there is a knowledge gap at the planning and realization end.
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