AIA Austin in partnership with Design Voice propose Force-Majeure, a design competition that addresses contemporary issues that are impacting our lives.
This competition is meant to serve as a tool that prompts intense thinking and tough discussion on how design can help mitigate crises. This year’s ideas competition is a multi-brief format that will challenge teams to think critically of how to design spaces that build community and provide support for our homeless neighbors in Austin, TX.
Austin is currently responding to a large-scale crisis resulting from a rapid increase in housing costs that has left many of our neighbors unhoused. The issue is coming to a head after the city voted in May to pass an ordinance that makes it a criminal offence punishable by a fine for anyone to sit, lie down, or camp in public areas and prohibits panhandling in certain locations. There is a desire from both sides of the election to support and house our unsheltered neighbors, and the city is in need of realistic long-term solutions.