‘Under the Shelter of Each Other/Ar Scáth a Chéile’ Design Competition launches

8 August 2024

Under the Shelter of Each Other/Ar Scáth a Chéile

‘Under the Shelter of Each Other/Ar Scáth a Chéile’ is a collaboration between 9ft in Common, RSUA and JP Corry Design Competition as part of a Belfast 24 commission.

With a first prize of £1,500, it challenges designers, makers, and anyone with a good idea, to propose creative ideas for a wall-mounted, collapsible shelter in a residential alleyway in Belfast.  While the proposals should  be site-specific, concepts submitted should be transferable to other alleys and walls across the city and beyond.

9ft in Common: A Manifesto for the Alleys is a city-wide creative programme, led by Starling Start and Studio idir, which is exploring the social and spatial potential of often-overlooked spaces. It is a large-scale, collaborative investigation into the residential alleys and entries that crisscross Belfast, prompting citizens to reconsider the possibilities lying just beyond their backyard doors.

Competition Aims

The competition aims to:

  • Generate debate, interest and discussion on both the heritage and potential future uses of Belfast’s alleyways, as social spaces of connection
  • Explore what role mini design competitions can play in delivering imaginative small projects which enrich the urban environment
  • Give new life to a small piece of leftover space in our built heritage
  • Unleash and showcase the creative talents of designers and makers in Northern Ireland

The deadline for submissions is 4 October 2024.

To register, please email Kerry Campbell on kerry@rsua.org.uk. You will be issued with a unique registration number which will ensure that the submissions are anonymous for judging purposes. Please register as early as possible.

An overview of the competition, including eligibility to participate, can be viewed here.