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
| Jul 22, 2013
Top Office Sector Construction Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Turner, Structure Tone, PCL top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest office sector contractors and construction management firms in the U.S.
| Jul 22, 2013
Top Office Sector Engineering Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
AECOM, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Jacobs top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest office sector engineering and engineering/architecture firms in the U.S.
| Jul 22, 2013
Top Office Sector Architecture Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Gensler, HOK, Perkins+Will top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest office sector architecture and architecture/engineering firms in the U.S.
| Jul 22, 2013
Market gains encourage better workplace design [2013 Giants 300 Report]
The commercial office sector is finally heating up, led by corporate headquarter and medical office building projects.
| Jul 22, 2013
Top Hotel Construction Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Manhattan Construction, Structure Tone, Lend Lease top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest hotel contractors and construction management firms in the U.S.
| Jul 22, 2013
Top Hotel Engineering Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
AECOM, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Buro Happold top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest hotel engineering and engineering/architecture firms in the U.S.
| Jul 22, 2013
Top Hotel Architecture Firms [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Gensler, WATG, HKS top Building Design+Construction's 2013 ranking of the largest hotel architecture and architecture/engineering firms in the U.S.
| Jul 22, 2013
Hotel business continues to shine [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Despite some economic stressors, hotel operating fundamentals are poised to remain strong in 2013.
| Jul 22, 2013
Transportation Facility Report [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Building Design+Construction's rankings of design and construction firms with the most revenue from airport terminals and other transportation-related facilities, as reported in the 2013 Giants 300 Report.
| Jul 22, 2013
Convention Center Report [2013 Giants 300 Report]
Building Design+Construction's rankings of design and construction firms with the most revenue from convention center projects, as reported in the 2013 Giants 300 Report.
