Urban-open is a two-phase, open international design competition for the design of a indoor/outdoor facility in Chicago's economically challenged East Garfield Park neighborhood. The winning entry will illustrate a design that has intergenerational appeal, enhances the residents' daily quality of life, and can stimulate and contain a variety of cultural events.
The competition seeks creative and diverse designs that will address the following programmatic criteria specific to the Bethany Brethren Community Center:
Provide opportunities for the youth program participants
Connect social service programming with innovative use of outdoor urban space
Increase community gardening activities at an intergenerational level
Create a gathering place for seniors in the neighborhood.

Additionally, the proposals are to engage the site in a dialogue with the Neighborhood and the City by providing:

Community Enhancement features to:
Promote Neighbourhood culture
Provide a creative outlet for public and local arts
Host a variety of community events
Provide opportunities for economic development for local residents

Quality of life elements to:
Provide a safe environment
Support and promote the holistic health and well being of the community and residents
Promote human activity and interaction on a daily basis
Weave site into the surrounding landscape to enliven the overall neighbourhood experience.

Intergenerational facets that:
Accommodate and provide universal access to people of all ages
Support community based mentoring programs
Expand opportunities for creative interaction between youth and senior citizens

Green strategies that:
Stimulate a 'green revolution' in the neighbourhood
Allow for the site to sustain itself
Educate residents about the broad range of benefits of greening
Demonstrate 6 features that reinforce human connections to nature, climate, community and context.

Legacy initiatives that:
Honour Chicago's commitment to sustainability and community development
Engage with the 'green revolution' in the neighborhood by providing a 'seed' for future greening.
Create an iconic presence in the neighborhood representing the vision and goals of the community.

Jury
Archi-treasures
The Bethany Brethren Community Center
USGBC, Chicago Chapter
Emerging Green Builders, Chicago Chapter
Garfield Conservatory Alliance
Young Architects, AIA, Chicago Chapter