Photo: Courtesy of vectorfusionart 

Dominican Government Launches Design Competition for New National Library 

Calling all Dominican architects: on Monday, March 28, 2022, the Government of Dominica through the Ministry of Public Works and Digital Economy launched a design competition for the New Dominica National Library, which will function as a center for learning, recreation, and culture. The competition runs from March 28 to May 4, 2022, with the deadline for submissions set on May 4 at 4 p.m.  

The government launched the design competition to ensure that the building contains valuable input from local architects (dominicanewsonline.com). According to the parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Maritime Initiatives, Chekira Lockhart-Hypolite, "The government believes, seeking the input of local architects in the design of this landmark will instill a greater sense of national pride" (kairifm.com). 

The minister of Public Works and the Digital Economy, Hon. Sen. Cassani Laville, sees this competition as an opportunity to create a lifetime impression in Dominica as well as an opportunity to incorporate design elements that may be loyal and respectful to traditional norms but correspondingly aware of the power and propensity of socialization and learning in an information and digital age (dominicavibes.com). 

According to the chief technical officer of the Ministry of Public Works and the Digital Economy, Emile Lancelot, "the proposed new library building will be located in the location of the present building of the old library, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Maria and subsequent fires. This new structure will need to host the traditional library functions, plus expanded services to include: an innovation hub, cultural and learning spaces, meeting spaces, exhibition spaces, café, and recreational area" (dominicavibes.com). 

ELIGIBILITY: The competition is open to qualified Dominican (living in Dominica) architects who submit all relevant documents specified on the registration form.  

EVALUATION CRITERIA:   

1. Suitability of design to the competition brief 
2. Spatial integration 
3. Functionality of the design solution 
4. Innovation and originality of the design solution  
5. Form 
6. Environmental considerations 
7. Reality 

The competition winner will be awarded EC$5,000.00, and the winner's name may also be engraved on the building when complete (dominicanewsonline.com).  

Sources: 

dominicanewsonline.com 

dominicavibes.com 

kairifm.com