WASHINGTON—March 7, 2007—The American Architectural Foundation (AAF) and Target have officially launched Redesign Your School − A Contest of Scholarly Proportions. Open to 9th through 12th grade students, this national ideas contest asks students to submit their vision of ideal places to learn in the 21st century. Scholarships up to $10,000 and other prizes will be awarded to winners, eight of whom will also be invited to Washington, D.C., to present their ideas. The contest runs from March 1 to June 30, 2007.
The Redesign Your School Contest is a component of AAF’s Great Schools by Design, and aims to generate innovative ideas for 21st century learning spaces while encouraging a more collaborative discussion among students, educators, parents, designers and the media. Individuals or teams of two are asked to utilize background resources and engage with a community member to create original ideas for the design of a school, classroom, or other learning environment. Submissions may be in the form of drawings, video, model photos, PowerPoint, or other media, so long as they fit in one 11” by 17” envelope. A written description of the student’s proposal is also required.
All 9th through 12th grade students enrolled in U.S. high schools—including public, private, religious, charter, or recognized home school programs—are eligible to participate. Students are asked to register their intention to participate. The registration form and other rules, instructions, and resources are available online at www.redesignyourschool.org.
“Target is proud to expand our partnership with the American Architectural Foundation by sponsoring the Redesign Your School Contest,” said Laysha Ward, vice president, community relations, Target. “It is exciting to help foster a dialogue with students around how great design can enhance the learning experience and have a positive and lasting effect on quality of life in our schools and communities.”
“The time is now for high school students across the United States to add their voices to the national dialogue about how the schools of the future will support student achievement and encourage innovative learning,” said Ronald E. Bogle, president and CEO of the American Architectural Foundation and founder of Great Schools by Design. “The Redesign Your School Contest seeks to tap into the creativity, experience, and energy of our nation’s students to discover how to better serve future generations of learners.”
Kerry Leonard, principal at OWP/P Architects and immediate past chair of the AIA Committee on Architecture for Education, and adviser to AAF, added, “Planning schools for the last 25 years, I have heard countless voices, including those of students, that have shaped the design of schools. However, it is a rare opportunity for students to be able to speak so freely about their learning environment, and with such great potential for impact, as they are being given in the Redesign Your School contest. This is an opportunity to gather thoughts and ideas from a wide cross section of student voices; to be able to draw from their creativity and unique perspective.”
Awards
The following awards will be presented to winners or divided among winning teams:
Jury
The Jury for the Redesign Your School Contest will include prominent architects, designers, and members of the educational community.
Selection Process
Winners will be chosen based on both a written design overview and on the creativity of the design ideas. The eight winners will represent each of four geographic regions, and will include four at-large winners. For more information, please visit www.redesignyourschool.org.
About Great Schools by Design
Launched in 2004, the American Architectural Foundation’s Great Schools by Design program supports improved quality in America’s schools by promoting outstanding design of the learning environment, encouraging collaboration in the design process and providing leading-edge resources that help schools and communities transform themselves. Target is the presenting sponsor of Great Schools by Design. Target’s involvement with Great Schools by Design has made numerous AAF publications, resources, and events possible. McGraw-Hill Construction and Herman Miller are co-founding sponsors of the Great Schools by Design program. KnowledgeWorks Foundation, OWP/P and the AIA’s Committee on Architecture for Education are advisers to AAF and partners on the Redesign Your School Contest.
About AAF
The American Architectural Foundation (AAF) is a national nonprofit organization that seeks to educate individuals and community leaders about the power of architecture to transform lives and improve the places where we live, learn, work and play. Through numerous outreach programs, grants and educational resources, AAF seeks to inspire people to be thoughtful and engaged stewards of the built environment. For more information, please visit www.archfoundation.org
About Target
Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at 1,487 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today’s best retail trends at affordable prices. Target is committed to providing guests with great design through innovative products, in-store experiences and community partnerships. Whether visiting a Target store or shopping online at Target.com, guests enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly differentiated items.
Target (NYSE:TGT) gives back more than $3 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.
Media Contacts
Helen Wechsler
(202) 626-7372
hwechsler@archfoundation.org
Target Media Relations
612-696-3400
1799 New York Avenue NW · Washington DC 20006 · 202.626.7318 · Fax 202.626.7420 · info@archfoundation.org