RDS and Leinster Rugby have announced an open international two stage architectural competition for a new and outstanding multi-purpose arena in the heart of Dublin 4. The ambition is to create a signature venue that will increase the current stadium capacity from 18,500 to 25,000 and greatly enhance the current facilities for the benefit of Leinster Rugby home games, the RDS Dublin Horse Show and all other events and concerts.

Competition Objectives
The objective of the competition is to select an architect based on a concept design which may be subject to change during the development of the design, in parallel with the development of the detailed brief.

The competitors are requested to present concept design proposals for a new viewing stand, substantially on the site of the existing Anglesea Stand, with ancillary facilities to support the range of uses proposed and to provide for and enhance spectators ‘ use and enjoyment of the RDS.

Whereas the competition site is limited to the area of and around the Anglesea Stand, competitors should consider their proposals in the context of an RDS/Leinster Arena, in the longer term. Further details are available in the Technical Brief.

The architectural competition is an open, two-stage competition, administered by the RIAI.

The intention is to engage the premiated entrant [“the Architect”] to provide full architectural services.

For the later stages of the project and subject to proceeding to construction, the Joint Promoters reserve the right to procure the completion of the design and the construction by “novating” the Architect’s commission to a Contractor and proceeding by way of a “Design-Build” contract.

Competition Budget

€20 million, nett construction cost excluding loose furniture and equipment, professional fees and value added tax (VAT)

Eligibility

The competition is open to architects holding a qualification listed in the EU Qualifications Directive 2005/36/EC

Persons outside the EU/EEA area should include confirmation of registration with a national registration body and/or a UIA recognised professional organisation.

It is the function of the Competition Registrar to decide on eligibility and equivalence.

Please note that the winners of the competition will be asked to begin the registration process (to manage the project in Ireland) if they are not already on the Irish Register of Architects. For more information on routes to registration, please see here; www.riai.ie/admissions/architects/

An entry may be submitted by an architectural practice.  In this case the name and address should be give and the official entry form signed by a partner.  In this context the practice is defined as;

• a partnership properly established for the purpose of an architectural competition or
• an association of architects for the purpose of entering the competition.

Competition Jury
The members of the Jury [“the Assessors”] are:

Professor J. Owen Lewis    RDS Nominee and Chair
Brendan Hickey                     Leinster Rugby Nominee
Francisco Mangado              International Juror (to be confirmed)
Seán Harrington                    Architect
Joan O’Connor                      Architect

In the event that an Assessor cannot act for any reason, the Joint Promoters shall appoint another Assessor whose name shall be communicated to all competitors.

Prize Fund / Honorarium
Each Stage 2 entrant shall be paid €10,000 as an honorarium for a valid Stage 2 submission. The payment to the winner shall be regarded as an installment on fees for the project

Competition Programme
Competition registration opens:                                  11 July 2014
Closing date for receipt of competitors’ questions:  01 August 2014
Circulation of answers to competitors:                       15 August 2014
Registration closes:                                                        08 September 2014
Final date for submission of Stage One entry:          15 September 2014
Stage One Assessment:                                                30 September – 1 October 2014
Stage Two opens:                                                            6 October 2014

Competition Registration
Competition registration can be made only on the official registration form, which is available here

Each registration must be accompanied by a registration fee of €123 which includes VAT at 23%.

Competition Pack
The Competition Brief, reports, drawings, site photographs and regulations will only be available once entrants have registered. Download Registration form here

Further enquiries email – competitions@riai.ie

International Architectural Competition for the redevelopment of RDS Arena is NOT an IAF event and is delivered by RDS and Leinster Rugby for more information please visit this website.