In a rapidly changing world, we need entrepreneurs who are capable of questioning everything around them and changing it for the better. They challenge the status quo—whether that’s in business, industry or society—and are able to orchestrate people, resources and processes around problem-solving visions. On their journeys, they innovate, seek a positive impact and build valuable businesses.
Spatial design activities and the vast global construction industry are also in the midst of a deep transformation—motivated, among other factors, by a shifting business culture, new technology, and urgent environmental and social pressures.
But for intrepid and creative minds — and designers are among the most gifted in this respect — changes ALWAYS imply OPPORTUNITY.
If you work in architecture, landscape, construction, urban design and planning, interior design, civil engineering or other related fields, this challenge is for you.
We are seeking optimistic and young entrepreneurial professionals with less than 10 years of experience, who have identified a relevant problem in their industry and would like the chance to solve it.
Before inventing or designing solutions, the first two steps of any entrepreneurial journey are:
1 communicating the problem you discovered to the world with eloquence;
2 explaining why there is an opportunity to create value and build a business around it.
Being a successful entrepreneur in this field requires applying spatial design creativity and skills that go well beyond spatial production itself. This entrepreneurial approach contributes to making our industry more impactful, diverse and rewarding for all.
DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT
Managing and motivating creative teams, optimizing operations to efficiently and profitably deliver good design, and dealing with complex projects with multiple stakeholders all imply numerous challenges.
SUSTAINABILITY
This is one of the most urgent challenges of our time, and demands that humanity transforms all industries, regions and mindsets. We are still largely inefficient at reducing waste, soil and water pollution or energy investment in construction, and also make environmentally-poor design decisions.
URBAN LIFE & URBAN SPACE
Cities are arguably the greatest and most complex human invention. dysfunctional cities generate inequality, insecurity, unhealthy lifestyles and environments, wasted time and greater energy consumption, to name just a few problems.
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND INNOVATION
Brick and mortar construction needs to evolve according to different contexts and regions, becoming more efficient and locally grounded. we need technology, prefabrication or new materials and systems.
MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT IN DESIGN
Spatial design companies (including architecture firms) often use poor strategies and tools, and dedicate little time to communicating the value of design to society, attracting new clients and differentiating themselves in the market.
11 October
Challenge Launch
03 December
Material submission
13 December
Jury deliberations
16 December
Finalists Pitch event
17 December
RESULTS ANNOUNCED
1st
Five (5) 1ST PRIZES will be awarded consisting of:
2nd
Three (3) 2ND PRIZES will be awarded consisting of:
Jerónimo Van Schendel
Director of the Master in Business for Architecture and Design
CRISTINA MATEO
Associate Dean at IE School of Architecture and Design
(Master Juror)
MAXIMILIANO ARROCET
Director at AL_A Architecture Studio
(Master Juror)
MAURICIO TESSI WEISS
Investment Manager at CEMEX Ventures
(Master Juror)
Download MEC21_competition brief.pdf
