Sponsored by VELUX

The registration for the RIAI & Architecture Ireland Student Writing Prize 2021 is now closed. 

1. Introduction

The RIAI and the Editorial Board of Architecture Ireland present the eighth edition of the RIAI & Architecture Ireland Student Writing Prize 2021. The competition is sponsored By VELUX. VELUX supports the RIAI’s aims for the RIAI & Architecture Ireland Student Writing Prize 2021 and with their support a prize fund is available for this prize.

This prize is free to enter.

2. Aim of the RIAI & Architecture Ireland Student Writing Prize 2021

The aim of the prize is to nurture and recognise the importance of writing in architecture.

3. The Brief / Prize Criteria

Students are invited to contribute an article of no more than 1000 words on a theme of their choice – whether a building or a book; an architect or a movement; both contemporary and historic subject matters will be considered.

4. Eligibility

The prize is open to students currently enrolled in any year of qualifications in architecture on the Island of Ireland as listed below and students who are currently enrolled in any year of qualifications in architectural technology which are currently accredited by the RIAI.

Eligible qualifications are as follows:

5. Assessment Criteria

• All entries will be evaluated in an anonymous manner by the jury.
• The composition of the jury is included in section 10. The competition convenor shall also participate in the jury evaluations.

6. Prize Timeline

7. Registration

Students intending to submit an entry are required to first register their interest by completing the RIAI Architecture Ireland Student Writing Prize 2021 Registration Form at the end of this page and returning it in pdf format by email for the attention of Carol Curran, RIAI Education Officer, no later than Friday 4 June 2021. On receipt of this form the RIAI will issue each participant with an individual Submission ID Number.

8. Submission Requirements

• Each individual is to submit an article of no more than 1000 words on a theme of their choice – whether a building or a book; an architect or a movement; both contemporary and historic subject matters will be considered.
• The submission will be presented in A4 format and identified only by the participants Submission ID Number on the top right corner of the first page.  The submission can be emailed in pdf format to (education@riai.ie), before Friday 18 June 2021.

9. Composition of the Jury

• Convenor.
• Up to 4 other Jury Members to be proposed by the RIAI Architecture and Public Affairs Committee and Architecture Ireland and may include a member of the BAE.

The final Jury will be approved by RIAI Council and announced before the Final Registration date on Friday 4 June 2021.

10. The Prize

A prize fund is available for this prize. Division or not of the prize fund will reflect the standard and diversity of entries.

11. Presentation / Exhibition

It is intended that the winning, commended and other entries selected for exhibition may be exhibited at the 2021 RIAI Student Award Ceremony and Exhibition to take place at the RIAI Annual Conference. The exhibition of selected entries will clearly display the student’s name and their School of Architecture or Architectural Technology. The copyright of all prize entries for the purpose of publicity and exhibition rests with the RIAI. The copyright for all other purposes rests with the entrants.

12. Terms and Conditions

• No submissions shall be accepted after the submission deadline of Friday 18 June 2021.
• Only students currently enrolled in any year of qualifications listed in section 4 above are eligible to participate in this prize.
• Group submissions will not be accepted and will be disqualified.
• Only one submission shall be permitted from each student and variant options will not be accepted.
• Submissions should be supplied an A4 pdf format displaying the students ID number.
• The RIAI acknowledges the collaborative nature of architecture and architectural technology but the student submitting the entry must be responsible for the work submitted. 
• Entries will not be returned to competitors.
• The RIAI Council reserves the right to permit or refuse the presentation of the Prize.
• The RIAI Council may direct the Jury on any matter relating to the Prize.
• It is the function of the RIAI to ensure that only eligible projects are considered.
• The Jury may recommend that no award be made or that the prize fund be divided to reflect the standard and diversity of entries.
• The decisions of the judges are final and conclusive. No discussion or correspondence will be entered into.