Democratic Umbrella Challenge

Deadline: 2019-02-15
Award: €24,000
Open to: Student and Professional Architects, Designers*

For the Democratic Umbrella Challenge Frei Otto’s visionary concept for utilization of the Multihalle is to be updated as an experimental urban laboratory and open space for an open society where Mannheim’s citizens can come together for sports, leisure and cultural activities.

The Multihalle’s construction should not only provide the necessary setting for this visionary use, but also symbolize the idea of a “Democratic Umbrella” in public perception through its iconographic architecture.

The objective of this competition is therefore to design new utilization options for the Multihalle and to express these through its architecture. Future utilizations should comprise permanent and temporary elements and also offer usage options that build on the individual design idea – in the spirit of Frei Otto, Carlfried Mutschler and Joachim Langner, who already envisaged the social and architectural future from their contemporary viewpoint.

The designs should take into account not only the urban landscape around the hall and its leisure uses, but also the social integration of the neighbouring districts and Mannheim's vibrant cultural scene.

A total of €24,000 of prize money
1st Prize: €10,000
2nd Prize: €7,000
3rd Prize: €4,000
Two honoraria: €1,500 each