RIBA launches international design competition for the development of a Private Island in The Bahamas

In September 2022, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) launched a competition for the design of a new luxury resort on a private Island in the Bahamas.

[edit] In brief

The client is looking to create a highly sustainable destination that will attract diverse groups of travellers, the yachting community and residents, whilst preserving the natural beauty of the island.

The island, that was once home to a pineapple plantation, currently has no formal residential infrastructure, no roads, no power and no water supply. It features a shallow inland lagoon in the centre of the island and a thin peninsula which juts out 11 km (7 miles) east. The site for the planned development is a total of 107 acres.

The project revolves around three key areas to be developed on the island: a beach club, a marina, and fully equipped bookable accommodation. Entrants will have the opportunity to submit designs for one or more of these categories.

[edit] Process

The competition is a two-stage process:

• The first stage will include the anonymous assessment of concept design ideas and selection of a longlist of up to 10 concepts for each category.
• The second stage will include a shortlisting process, whereby those selected will be asked to refine their ideas following feedback and the shortlisted designers will be invited to present their refined concepts to the Evaluation Panel.

A prize of £25,000 will be awarded to the overall winner with another £25,000 prize fund distributed amongst other prize winners as agreed by the Panel.

Kirsten Lees, Managing Partner at Grimshaw acting as the RIBA Competition Architect Adviser said: “This is an exciting opportunity to use innovation and creativity to create a high-end resort experience that simultaneously protects and enhances this beautiful location through the promotion of genuinely sustainable and net carbon positive proposals.”

[edit] Deadline

The submission deadline is 12:00 midday (BST) on Thursday 27 October 2022.

Further information can be found on the competition webpage at: https://ribacompetitions.com/privateisland/

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