San Antonio’s 300th anniversary in 2018 has inspired the city to re-imagine its river barges.
The city is partnering with The American Institute of Architects, San Antonio Chapter (AIA San Antonio) to run a competition to design new sustainable river barges to be used on the San Antonio River. The competition will open Friday, Oct. 30 to local, national and international teams.
“The San Antonio River is an iconic community feature,” said Nicole Marrone, AIA San Antonio President. “Our chapter is honored to partner with the City of San Antonio on this project to transform the River Walk experience. Local architects applaud the City’s commitment to make the river barge a more sustainable, passenger-friendly experience for tourists and locals alike.”
The first phase of the competition is an open call for teams to submit a narrative explaining their concept along with detailed renderings. A nine-person jury will select three finalists who best design an economically-feasible electric fleet.
The three finalists will move on to the second phase and receive $7,500 for design development, which includes a 3D physical model, renderings, technical specifications, cost estimate, branding and material samples. The teams will also receive a $2,500 travel stipend to present their concept to the jury in San Antonio and participate in an open house for the community to view the designs. The top three teams will each receive a cash prize. More competition details and requirement are available here.
Upon selection of the winning design, the City will release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for manufacturing of the barges, purchase the fleet and lease to an operator. The City will issue a second RFP for operation and programming of the barge fleet.
“This innovative approach will relieve the financial burden of a potential operator having to secure the upfront capital to purchase the barge fleet,” said Mayor Ivy R. Taylor. “Not only will we be able to offer an outstanding transportation option, we will encourage more competition through the RFP process.”
The competition winner will be selected in February 2016 and both RFPs for manufacturing and operation of the fleet will be issued in March 2016. Registration for the competition will be available beginning Oct. 30 on the AIA San Antonio website.
Related Stories
| Aug 30, 2013
Local Government Report [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Building Design+Construction's rankings of the nation's largest local government design and construction firms, as reported in the 2013 Giants 300 Report.
| Aug 30, 2013
A new approach to post-occupancy evaluations
As a growing number of healthcare institutions become more customer-focused, post-occupancy evaluations (POE) are playing a bigger role in new construction and renovation projects. Advocate Health Care is among the healthcare organizations to institute a detailed post-occupancy assessment process for its projects.
| Aug 30, 2013
State Government Report [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Stantec, Jacobs, PCL Construction among nation's top state government design and construction firms, according to BD+C's 2013 Giants 300 Report.
| Aug 29, 2013
Is it possible to build a LEED Gold prison?
Why yes, of course it is. Correctional design exerts from Shive-Hattery and the Iowa Department of Corrections will demonstrate how at the upcoming BUILDINGChicago conference and expo, September 9-11 at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza.
| Aug 29, 2013
First look: K-State's Bill Snyder Family Stadium expansion
The West Side Stadium Expansion Project at Kansas State's Bill Snyder Family Stadium is the largest project in K-State Athletics history.
Sponsored | | Aug 29, 2013
Nichiha USA panels selected for unique mixed-use project in Cambridge, Mass.
Peter Quinn Architects specifies Nichiha’s Illumination Series Panels for a progressive look for a work/live/play development in the heart of the Harvard community.
| Aug 28, 2013
Focusing on the total client experience
Although firms commonly use client satisfaction surveys and interviews to assess how well their teams are performing, a new article from Harvard Business Review suggests these tools might not provide an accurate picture of the total client experience.
| Aug 28, 2013
Standards for BIM improve reliability of data downstream, but what does this mean for us today?
I’m encouraged to see progress being made to make BIM more useable and reliable downstream. These are all good steps in the right direction, but how can we leverage this additional clarity today? Does it require us to have all stakeholders and team members in the model to collaborate and share information? It appears as if this is the ultimate goal.
| Aug 28, 2013
Building owners to speak out at BUILDINGChicago conference and expo
Real estate professionals from Crate and Barrel, Jones Lang LaSalle, Baxter, Siemens, and Advocate Healthcare are among the building owner representatives that will be attending and speaking at BD+C's new conference and expo, BUILDINGChicago, September 9-11.
| Aug 27, 2013
Industrial Sector Report [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Building Design+Construction's rankings of the nation's largest industrial sector design and construction firms, as reported in the 2013 Giants 300 Report.
