A spin-off from Le Corbusier's words, "I don't want to talk about architecture", this year's theme seeks to explore modern asian architecture and the built environment by not talking about it. Not directly at least.

We believe that architecture is more than just the product of a singular vision by an architect or a planner. It is shaped by the society that uses it, the political and economic forces surrounding it, the media landscape in the country, its cultural influences, historical context and much more. The interplay of these various forces gives form to our built environment and this is the interest of mAAN*Y Singapore 2010.

Singapore is a brilliant example of a truly global and cosmopolitan city in Asia. It is fertile ground for the transnational convergence of global cultures emerging out of and working with Asia. It is also home to a diverse range of communities, all seeking a place to call their own. Being an open economy, it must also compete with other major global cities, constantly working towards making itself attractive for businesses. At the same time, while fulfiling its economic ambitions, the city state also faces the challenge of creating a singular urban environment with distinct cultural and heritage identities that must co-exist with the constructed, cosmopolitan cityscape.

How does the global city react to the specific culture and context of its locality? How will it mitigate the building of economically motivated iconic structures and the living vitality of public spaces? How will it deal with the influx of new cultural influences and ideas?

mAAN*Y Singapore 2010 thus seeks to explore new ideas and solutions to the challenges inherent in the design and use of space; and the creation, protection and preservation of identity in a global city such as Singapore. It also hopes to place renewed emphasis on creating real-world impact rather than just operating in the domain of words.
A three-step process has been created for the competition brief. Each of these steps is not to be conceived in a chronological way but should be read as a manual in approaching the project.

Step 1: Let's Hear It
Seeking out your surroundings to identify issues
Firstly, what is an interesting condition of the city that you are from that you think defines your community? This condition has to fit into one of the following themes:

1. Architectural Heritage: How does your community deal with its architectural heritage?
2. Urban Gentrification: How is your community tapping onto the opportunities and challenges of gentrification?
3. Contestation of Spaces: Are different communities (local and foreign) contesting to create their own spaces? How are these spaces used and can they be integrated?
4. Displacement of Community: How can your community be reintegrated after being displaced?
5. Building for the poor or disadvantaged: How can you devise spatial strategies to empower them?
6. Multi-generational common spaces: How do you create common spaces for different generation of people to interact?

Next, chose a site that is approximately 400m x 400m to work with. This could be an existing neighbourhood or the part of the city/ neighbourhood that you intend to work on.

Step 2: Let's Cook It
Plan methods of collaboration & engagement with relevant community group

Choose a specific group within your community to work with collaboratively in addressing your selected condition. The main emphasis of the competition will be on exploring methods of collaboration through your spatial intervention. While this is not a typical architectural design competition per se but you will still be required to provide Plans, Elevations and Sections where necessary to explain the rationale of your intervention.

For example, if a public square is too large and underused one possible intervention could be by adding market stalls to provide more programmatic density for the area. Such a form of intervention should be reflected in your Plan drawings.

Step 3: Let's Taste It
Revealing areas of design interventions

Finally, prepare action plans and design schemes projected onto a feasible time schedule. Review also how your design intervention is able to empower the community that you're

working with. While this is a theoretical project, you are strongly encouraged to attempt to implement the project should you have some initial leads. The implementablity of the project will be a critical aspect of the judging process.

Timeline
01 Mar 10 - Official launch of competition
15 May 10 - Registration Closes
31 May 10 - Deadline of submission
15 Jun 10 - Finalists announced
05 Aug 10 - Winners announced