Question 1

Could you please tell me what type of entries you are expecting to receive for example 3D computer renderings, architectural plans and drawings, or three dimensional sculptures? Do they have to be architectural style machetes or drawings? Or can they take the form of photograph or video? Is there a written component to the application? Can the proposal take the form of a written document?

The participant is free to choose the form of visual representation – architectural drawings, 3D renderings, photos of models etc. Two A1 panels are required for each site with the exception of Fleetwood where only one A1 panel is required. Each submission does include a written component. Still photos of a video can be presented but a video itself would not be permitted. A written submission only could be permitted, however as a design competition for the built environment the judges would be tasked to evaluate the merits of the submission in this regard. All submissions are to be uploaded electronically to the webpage (no hard copy printed submission is required).

Question 2

Why the surrey gateway & city central area not included in the townshift contest? And I do not understand & need clarify why the cloverdale area called as building affordability, Is the houses there more affordable compare to other area in the lower mainland ? Fleetwood is the gateway identity ?, Guildford is mall edge I understand Guildford because there is a Guildford mall, ok & newton as new town connects density to transit ok but there is no rapid transit to newton, probably after 2020 unless take the bus 321 & semiahmoo has town centre plaza & highrise building similar to surrey city central... right ?

Surrey Central City is, by definition, more than just another Town Centre, but is the locus for the entire city and hence has not been included in the competition. For Cloverdale, wood frame construction is generally seen as a more affordable construction methodology than concrete hence its inclusion in the design criteria for the site. Yes, the design challenge for Fleetwood is to design a new gateway marker. Various forms of public transit do currently exist at Newton mostly in the form of buses. A new transit hub is planned as well as an inter-urban heritage tram and express bus service up King George Highway. Yes the Semiahmoo design challenge includes a high-rise building and a public square.

Question 3

What are the dementions of the cloverdale site?

The dimensions of the site can be obtained from the downloaded CAD drawings.

Question 4

Hi, I am working on the contest, and i would like to have the measurements of the Cloverdale site, Thank You.

The dimensions of the site can be obtained from the downloaded CAD drawings.

Question 5

Do you have a basic fees for registration and prizes for the projects submit to you?

The fee for registration is $50.00 Canadian. This allows the participant to submit a proposal for one site, all sites or any combination thereof.

Question 6

I was wondering how the competition worked. It has 5 Items to work on. We can choose to work on only 1? And if we win, how does the prize work? We are three in our group, but only one person can subcribe of the group or the three of us should? Could you clarify this it is a bit confusing.

Each participant (or team) is permitted to submit a proposal for one site, all sites or any combination thereof. One individual of the team registers on behalf of the team. When the submissions are uploaded each member of the team is then identified.

Question 7

Good afternoon, we would like to update our contact information. Please let me know whether this is the correct procedure to do so.

Please sign on again to the webpage (using your registration name and password) and you can update your info directly.

Question 8

(Question from participant from Hungary): is it possible for us, to take part on the competition?

Yes you can participate. The competition is open to all countries.

Question 9

My question is regarding the Cloverdale brief. The marked site covers a road section intersecting the Cloverdale bypass, which acts to connect 58 Ave with 58A Ave. Does that mean it can be removed?

Yes the road can be removed if so desired.

Question 10

Does the registration fee cover the participation in the all five tasks, or its 50 CAD per task. If it's for all the design tasks, should we submit all of them, or we can choose some to work on.

The fee for registration is $50.00 Canadian. This allows the participant to submit a proposal for one site, all sites or any combination thereof.

Question 11

– Must a two person team answer to the 5 proposal? Can we choose only one?
– What is the medium to answer (graphics and texts)? Printings documents (paper) or electronic files (pdf)?

The fee for registration is $50.00 Canadian. This allows the participant to submit a proposal for one site, all sites or any combination thereof.

Question 12

I would like to know just one thin about the competition. do we have to submit our entries online or by post. please clarify.

All submissions are to be uploaded electronically to the webpage (no hard copy printed submission is required).

Question 13

Can you please advise me regarding the competition submission format.Are all competition submissions to be on-line or do you require hard-copy submissions? Also regarding on-line Competition submissions what file format do you require .Jpg or .PDF or both?

All submissions are to be uploaded electronically to the webpage (no hard copy printed submission is required). PDF and JPG files are acceptable.

Question 14

i) I believe the zig-zaggy building immediately adjacent to the rec centre is no longer there, but the competition documents (and sketchup model) indicate that we need to keep this building. Could you please clarify? Is there a new building there, or an intention for this site?

The building has been removed and an addition to the rec centre is currently under construction. For the sake of the competition assumed that the building is as per the competition documents.

ii) The sketchup model identifies the cinema in black and groups it with other buildings to be removed. But we are to keep the cinema. It might be a good idea to clarify this with participants.

The cinema is adjacent to the building indicated as black in the Sketchup model. The cinema is to remain.

Question 15

i) Just wondering if we are allowed to submit drawings/images beyond the bare minimum submission requirements, and if there is a limit to this (apart from the 2 A1 pages).

The cinema is adjacent to the building indicated as black in the Sketchup model. The cinema is to remain.

ii) Also, if we deviate from the minimum submission requirements due to their irrelevance with a particular design (for example, say we are asked to do a section from east to west looking at a certain direction, but a section from another perspective/axis is more interesting and valuable...will our entry be disqualified if we do the latter?

Each participant is encouraged to submit the information as requested on each site (for ease of judging). However, the competition is primarily interested in the ideas submitted by the participants. If so desired by the participants to alter required views the submission will not be disqualified.

Question 16

I'm not exactly clear on how submissions are to be entered. On the website it says in PDF format. I have done my designs in google sketchup and have rendered them into JPG's.

JPG format is acceptable

Question 17

We have a question concerning the NEWTON location within Surrey (TOWNSHIFT).
Our task is (mainly) to create new blocks of housing, re-ordering of civic elements (like the Cenotaph and ice arena), and the re-design of public spaces.
We were wondering if it's allowed to add other functions/program to the given program, like commercial ones (shops, work-live-dwellings et cetera)?

Yes additional program elements would be acceptable.

Question 18

Regarding the Assited Living units in Cloverdale, we are a little be confused what design to attempt. The question is how many units should serve one community center (medical, social and meal). Should it be for a small number of appartments (3-5-10), or for a large (30-60-100, or even more). Is there any design rule, or its up to our design?

The competition does not dictate any requirements – it is up to the participants to decide.

Question 19

I am writing to inquire about the prizes available for the competition. Media accounts report $75,000 in total prizes. How will this be broken down?

There is one overall prize (chosen from all submissions) of $15,000.00. In addition there is a first prize award for each of the five site of $10,000.00 and a second prize of $2000.00 for each of the five sites.

Question 20

Questions related to the Newton site:

i) How do we include names of other team members?

Each member of the team can be identified at the time the submission is uploaded.

ii) What are the presentation poster submission requirements in addition to size?

See the required drawing section for Newton on the webpage

iii) Are there any restrictions to building underground?

No – participants are free to suggest construction underground.

iv) What are the future plans for the proposed new transit site?

The transit authority for the greater Vancouver area is currently planning the proposed transit hub on the indicated site. Plans are not yet finalized.

v) Does the city control the entire transit site along with its ultimate land use?

No - the transit authority controls the site. The development is being done in consultation with the city.

vi) Will the current location of the bus stops be removed to the new transit site? Will that mean the area could be rezoned?

The current functions of the bus exchange on 72nd Avenue will be relocated to the proposed new transit hub. The participant is free to suggest new function for the site on 72nd Avenue.

vii) Can the railway right of way be considered as a future transit corridor?

Yes

viii) Is there a chance that the current skytrain system might be extend to or near the Newton Site, and if so... where would it occur?

Discussions have occurred but it is not anticipated that this will happen in any foreseeable time frame.

ix) The new building under construction beside the community swimming pool was not designated. Is it a building to be saved?

There is an addition to the rec centre is currently under construction. For the sake of the competition assumed that the building is as per the competition documents.

Question 21

Do every team member have to register for the townshift competition?

One member is required to register on behalf of the team. At the time of submission upload, each team member can be identified.

Question 22

i) If a team is submitting proposals for multiple sites, will they be considered as one entry and be read as one entry addressing multiple sites? For example can there be a single analysis board for all sites submitted.

Each participant is encouraged to submit the information as requested on each site (for ease of judging). However, the competition is primarily interested in the ideas submitted by the participants. If so desired one entry could be considered for all five site - it must be clearly indicated as such on the submission material.

ii) Submission format. We are assuming that teams submit PDF files electronically. Are they any other preferences regarding file size or resolution?

Entrants can determine the resolution based on their experience; reasonable minimum is 300 dpi.

Question 23

Is the competition eligibility is international ?? or only for American designers?

The competition is international.

Question 24

Semiahmoo:

i) The area of the 2 siteplots total to 7380 sq.mt. The brief calls for a max FAR of 4 which calls for a proposal of a an area not to exceed 29520 sq.mt. What is the maximum height/no. of floors permissible in the proposals?

There are no restrictions on height.

ii) What kind of setbacks do we have to account for on 152nd street, 19th Avenue and the other two sides facing existing sites?

There are no building setbacks – development can occur to property line.

iii) Aerial Pics show that the site across on 152nd street is current a surface parking space. Is the idea to engage this parking lot or just the till the site boundary?

No the site boundary for the competition does not include this land.

iv) How many underground levels of parking are allowed for the site?

The participant is free to chose the extend of parking provided.

v) If multi-level underground levels of parking are acceptable can another entry/exit access be provided be on 19th ave or 152nd avenue. This would serve only the retail/office parking level.

It is anticipated that the access to the underground parking would be from 19th Ave. Another entrance off of 152nd street would be accepted is so desired.

vi) Besides a mix of residential and retail/office can we propose other functions?

Yes

vii) Is there a limitation to the file size of the 2 A1 sheets that need to be uploaded?

Yes

viii) Is it acceptable to have additional road cuts besides the one on 19th Ave to serve as pickup/ drop off for the commerical part of the project?

Yes

Question 25

i) Is there file size limitation in submitting PDF? Is it allowed to compress PDF file into 'ZIP' or any other compressed file?

There is no restriction on file size. Entrants can determine the resolution based on their experience; reasonable minimum is 300 dpi. ZIP file compression is OK.

ii) Can we alter or replace our presentations after submitting?

Yes you can upload the material multiple times if so desired. Uploading must occur before the competition deadline (midnight Pacific Standard Time on January 6, 2010). The previously uploaded material will be overwritten.

iii) Can we alter or replace our presentations after submitting?

Yes you can upload the material multiple times if so desired. Uploading must occur before the competition deadline (midnight Pacific Standard Time on January 6, 2010). The previously uploaded material will be overwritten.

Question 26

Are we allowed to submit additional drawings with the required drawings?

Yes the only criteria are the number of panels' submitted (two A1 panels for each site with the exception of Fleetwood where only one A1 panel is required).

Question 27

Are all the A1 boards to be mail to your office together with the softcopies of the designs?

No hardcopy submission is required. All submissions are to be uploaded electronically to the competition web page.

Question 28

Semiahmoo:

i) I'm writing to you in order to get some further details about the Semiahmoo competition Project, which I've found on your internet site and planning to participate.

Namely, I've read a section about Semiahmoo Project, and you've mentioned Floor Area Ratio, which I found a bit confusing since I'm European architect. I'd be very pleased if you could give me a detailed explanation of mentioned Ratio. Also, it would be very useful to get some real example how to calculate the Ratio.

The total area of the building is obtained by taking the area of the site and multiplying it by the FAR ratio.
Example: site area (10,000 ft2) x FAR (3) = 30,000 ft2 (total area of all floors)

ii) Secondly, I'd like to know if “Size of new construction”, mentioned in the same article, includes sum of all floors/stories?

Yes all floor area including the ground floor is to be included in the total area of the building. It is not necessary to include floor area below grade.

iii) As for site area, does it mean hatched area, which you gave in CAD file, or it means the area rounded with axes of nearby streets?

The site included the portions of 152nd Street and 19th Avenue adjacent to the property.

iv) The next thing I'd like to know is about car park area. Could you tell me is there a possibility of building it underground, and in that case, what would be the maximum depth of mentioned construction?

Parking can be underground. The participant is free to suggest the amount of parking and the number of stories below ground.

v) The area to be designed extends across 152nd street, is it literally – physical or just as extended program of square?

Participants are free to include the area of the streets as part of the design exercise.

Guildford:

i) Finally, considering Guildford Project, the last thing I'd like to know is about possibility of building the construction under the street.

Participants are free to suggest constructions underground. As an urban design ideas competition the participant is encourage to indicate the value of such construction to the public realm.

Question 29

i) Cloverdale: Is the Cloverdale submission confined to two A1 size panels? I didnt see a specification in the requirement write-up.

Yes Cloverdale requires a maximum of two A1 panels

ii) General: Do we need to state anywhere what entries we are providing...or do we simply "submit" everything on Jan. 6th?

When the entries are submitted you will be asked to indicate which site is being submitted. On the submit page – once login is complete – each site will appear. Clicking the "SUBMIT" button will bring up space to browse for each file to be submitted. Entrants will be asked to submit three files (2 A1 panels + 1 text/WORD file) and a space to enter the names of the entrants/team members and any other information about the entrant. Clicking the SUBMIT button will send the files to the website. Each site has an area to submit files.

iii) General: Do we put out entrant names on the boards? If we work for a professional design firm – do we need to put their names on the boards – even if we are just entering on our own?

No names are to be indicated on the panels - at the time of the submission upload on the competition web page, a unique identification number is automatically given to the submission material linked to the participant's names. Once adjudication is complete the names of the winners will be identified by the submission number.

iv) General: Do we need to put a date on the boards?

No

v) General: Do we need to put the Townshift logo on the boards?

No

vi) General: Is there a minimum DPI resolution you are looking for?

No

vii) General: Is there a file naming system we should be following? Or do we simply submit files as per our system? OR Is there an entrant number we should be referring to for naming files?

ie. Entrant27_Newton_text.doc
Entrant27_Newton Board1.pdf
Entrant27_Newton Board2.pdf

No – at the time of the submission upload on the competition web page, a unique identification number is automatically given to the submission material linked to the participant's names. Once adjudication is complete the names of the winners will be identified by the submission number.

viii) General: Are there restrictions to PDF file sizes?

No

ix) General: Are all submissions submitted online or do you also require that hardcopies be mailed...if so, what address?

No hardcopy submission is required. All submissions are to be uploaded electronically to the competition web page.

x) General: If you are an individual entrant but have also said what company you work for in your user name setup; will awards be issued in your name or your company's name? Is there someone people should email to make changes for this?

You can log onto the webpage and make revisions to your contact information. At the time of submission you can also indicate the names of the team and any company name to be credited.

xi) General: Are the A1 boards the only deliverables we are allowed to submit; unless specified otherwise (i.e. the text file for Newton)

Yes

xii) General: Are additional sketches, sections, etc permitted to be on the design boards beyond the deliverables requested?

Yes

xiii) General: Are working files (i.e. AutoCAD, Sketchup) required to be submitted with the final graphic boards?

No – just the final A1 presentation sheets are to be submitted.

xiv) General: Will winning submissions be used in real life? Will portions of non-winning submission be used...or are design submissions copyrighted?

The submitted material can be used for exhibitions and publications. As an ideas competition there is no commitment to realizing any of the submitted ideas into the built environment. Participants will be contracted separately if any built commissions are realized. The designers maintain copyright on the drawings submitted.

Question 30

Only one site in Cloverdale is identified although 2 are stated... please clarify.

The site for Cloverdale is that as indicated in the documents on the webpage. There is only one site but in contains multiple streets and properties.

Question 31

Have you considered extending the deadline to the end of January? A competition submission due immediately after the holidays is unfeasible for many.

No

Question 32

We have some questions for the CLOVERDALE site, following:

i) Could you please clarify the term “affordable strategies”, does this refer to any specific Canadian policy?

For Cloverdale, wood frame construction is generally seen as a more affordable construction methodology than concrete hence its inclusion in the design criteria for the site.

ii) What are the Canadian standards for residential floor areas regarding; senior citizens-assisted living, affordable families and affordable singles.?

Participants are free to set the design criteria as they see fit.

iii) What are the realistic options for renewable energy and ground source heat exchange in this part of Canada.?

Participants are encouraged to include sustainable features as part of the design ideas. Ground source heat exchange is commonly used in the Surrey area.

iv) Could you please clarify the term “linkage space attractive to the broader Surrey and visitor's community”. For which visitor's and Surrey people would this space be intended.

The space can be used by the general public, not necessarily just by residents of the development.

v) What are the size requirements for shared facilites of the senior citizens (places for meals, medical, social,etc.?

Participants are free to set the design criteria.

vi) What are the physical noise mitigation requirements to reduce the impact of the trucks?

Participants are free to suggest mitigation strategies.

vii) Required drawings: what is the printable size of the submitted material, and how many sheets/panels may we submit?

Two A1 panels are required for each site with the exception of Fleetwood where only one A1 panel is required.

viii) What will the following steps be after the competition, will the designs be used in the further planning process and will they be instrumental in the development of the site?

As an ideas competition there is no commitment to realizing any of the submitted ideas into the built environment. Participants will be contracted separately if any built commissions are realized.

Question 33

About Guildford: Cornered

Can we improve the existing street (104th avenue) in concert with our design?

Yes

Question 34

Questions for Town Shift Competition, Site Semiahmoo:

Is the FAR in relation to the competiton site shown in CAD file (including the streets), or to property?

FAR is to be calculated using the property area (not including the streets).

Question 35

Should the Fleetwood and Newton submissions be made in portrait or landscape format?

Fletwood and Newton submissions are preferred as portrait to match the other submissions if possible.