تاریخ : يکشنبه 9 شهريور 1404
کد 2625

 

The Rab’-e Rashidi International Award Competition: “Lasting Heritage”

Creativity and Innovation in the Revival of Endangered Historic Buildings in the Islamic World

1. Competition Introduction

The international competition “Lasting Heritage” is held with the aim of identifying and encouraging creative and innovative ideas in the field of the revitalization and regeneration of prominent historical buildings in the Islamic world. This scientific and specialized event invites all interested architects, restorers, designers, students, and researchers to contribute to the preservation and revival of valuable architectural and historical works at risk within the realm of Islamic culture and civilization by presenting novel designs aimed at conservation, restoration, structural strengthening, and functional rethinking.

The competition is held in two sections: “Open” and “Special.”

Open Section
The focus of this section is on the revitalization of historical buildings and contexts that have been damaged or have deteriorated due to war, natural disasters, or mismanagement, and are at risk of destruction or oblivion. The submission of designs in this section is not limited to a specific location; any prominent and registered historical building or context within the domain of Islamic culture and civilization can be the subject of the participants’ design.

Special Section
The special section is dedicated to the ideation and regeneration of the resilient city of Gaza. Participants in this section may select any building or any part of the valuable historical fabric of the city of Gaza. Considering the historical, cultural, and spiritual status of this city in the Islamic world, and in collaboration with the Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture (IRCICA), the works submitted for this section will be judged exclusively, and one group will be announced as the winning group of the special section.

General Requirements
Participants in both the Open and Special sections are required to adhere to the points stipulated in clauses 1-1 to 1-4 of the competition’s regulations in the preparation and submission of their works.

1.1. Creative Conservation and Restoration

  • Presenting innovative solutions for the restoration of damaged historical buildings and complexes

  • Using local materials with new technologies

  • Ensuring continuity of use and compatibility

  • Paying attention to ritualistic and symbolic approaches

  • Respecting tangible and intangible values

  • Considering environmental and economic sustainability

1.2. Structural Reinforcement and Strengthening

  • Designs to improve structural performance against earthquakes, fire, war, floods, natural erosion, etc.

  • New methods for structural reinforcement without compromising the authenticity of the building

1.3. Functional Reinterpretation of Historical Monuments

  • Reviving contemporary functions for abandoned or underused buildings

  • Adapting new uses to the cultural and architectural identity of the monument

1.4. Digital Conservation and Modern Documentation

  • 3D laser scanning

  • Digital photogrammetry

  • Building Information Modeling (BIM)

  • Digital databases and electronic archives

  • Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

  • Digital analysis and simulation tools

  • Recording and mapping the current status and damages

  • Collaborative and interactive documentation

2. Judging Criteria

The jury will evaluate the submissions based on the following criteria:

  • Understanding the Value and Authenticity of the Building: 20 points

  • Historical and Damage Documentation: 20 points

  • Appropriate Use of Restoration and Reinforcement Methods: 20 points

  • Consideration of Cultural, Social, and Environmental Issues: 15 points

  • 3D Designs and Animation Presentation: 25 points

Other aspects considered in the evaluation:

  • Creativity and Innovation: utilizing new and practical solutions in the field of architectural heritage conservation

  • Respect for Cultural and Local Architectural Values: adherence to authenticity, cultural context, regional materials, and style

  • Technical and Implementation Feasibility: the practicality of the design for real-world and climatic conditions

  • Social and Cultural Impact: positive influence on the local community and regenerating the connection with the people

  • Environmental Sustainability: use of sustainable materials, energy efficiency, and climatic compatibility

3. How to Register

Group registration is open until September 21, 2025, exclusively via the competition’s email address:
📧 LastingHeritage@tabrizrru-ac.ir

4. Submission Guidelines

  • An animation of the 3D spatial designs

  • A minimum of two A1 sheets, submitted digitally in PDF or JPG format, including:
    • Plans, sections, and elevations (before and after intervention)
    • 3D images and proposed details for reinforcement or restoration
    • Analytical diagrams and a written explanation (maximum 500 words)

Note: an innovative and creative presentation is highly encouraged.

5. Submission Deadline

Submissions must be sent by October 7, 2025, exclusively via the competition’s email address:
📧 LastingHeritage@tabrizrru-ac.ir

6. Exhibition, Judging, and Announcement of Winners

  • Exhibition and Judging: October 19–21, 2025

  • Announcement of Winners: October 21, 2025

7. Competition Jury

  • Dr. Alidost Ertuğrul – IRCICA

  • Prof. Elena Denisenko – Kazan Federal University

  • Prof. Emma Harutyunyan – Yerevan University

  • Eng. Akbar Taghizadeh – Veteran in Cultural Heritage

  • Dr. Mohammad Hassan Talebian – University of Tehran

  • Dr. Ahad Nejad Ebrahimi – Tabriz Islamic Art University

  • Dr. Farhad Akhoundi – Tabriz Islamic Art University

8. Prizes for Winning Teams

General Category Prizes:

  • First Place: 3000 USD

  • Second Place: 2000 USD

  • Third Place: 1200 USD

Special Category Prize: Reimagining the Reconstruction of Gaza City

  • Winning Team: 1500 USD

9. Specific Competition Rules

  • This competition will be held in a single stage.

  • Adherence to the intellectual and material property rights of works, based on the Law for the Protection of the Rights of Authors, Composers, and Artists (approved 01/01/1970), is mandatory for all participants and competition officials.

  • The organizer is permitted to publish or exhibit the submitted designs, works, and documents after the competition concludes, in a manner it deems appropriate, while respecting the intellectual property of the participants and citing their names.

  • For individuals participating as a group, the organizer will only recognize the person registered as the team leader for all competition procedures, correspondence, prize awarding, and other responsibilities. The team leader must hold a degree or be currently enrolled in one of the fields of Architecture, Urban Planning, Restoration, or Civil Engineering.

  • The presence of all participating teams, or the team leader as a representative, is mandatory on the designated days for the exhibition of works. They must bring necessary equipment, such as a laptop and/or physical models (if any), to present and explain their work in the provided spaces.

  • Submission of a work constitutes a declaration of ownership. If the authenticity is disproven or if plagiarism is found, the participant will be disqualified, the matter will be publicly announced, and if a prize has been awarded, they will be required to return it and will be liable for any damages. The judgment of authenticity rests with the esteemed jury.

  • Submissions received after the deadline will not be considered under any circumstances.

  • No codes, identifiers, names, specifications, logos, or similar markings should be placed on the submission sheets by the participant.

  • Participants must submit the required documents via the competition’s email by the final submission deadline.

  • Based on the decision of the competition’s policy-making council and the expert opinion of the jury, and in consideration of the time and diligence the jury members dedicate to evaluating the works—and with respect to all participants—it is announced that there will be no possibility to appeal the jury’s final decision.

  • Decisions regarding unforeseen issues are the responsibility of the organizer and will be communicated to the public accordingly.

  • According to Article 3-5 of the general regulations for competitions under the executive directive of the Permanent Secretariat for Architecture and Urban Planning Competitions, the organizer and client must ensure the independence of the jurors’ opinions and are not permitted to influence the judging process or impose conditions or limitations on the jurors. Accordingly, the jurors are independent of the client. This article affirms and emphasizes that the esteemed jury is completely independent in its judgment and ranking of the works.

  • Participation in the competition and submission of a work implies acceptance of the specific rules and conditions of the competition.

  • Any individual or group is permitted to participate in both the general and special categories.

  • Each participating group may submit more than one work in either or both sections of the competition, provided that the registration process for each work is completed independently via the competition’s email.

  • An individual is permitted to be a member of more than one participating group and, as part of those groups, may submit different works to the competition.

  • The registration process for the competition is completely free of charge, and no fees will be collected from the participants.

Director and Executive Secretary of the Competition: Dr. Parisa Ghobadi