STORY and GE are searching for someone to help design an iconic window installation during the MAKING THINGS program. The design should illustrate how technology is influencing the way we make things today and work to visualize the themes of rapid prototyping, advanced manufacturing (industrial 3D printers, CNC Mill, robotic solutions, etc.), and software integration. Located on 10th Avenue in New York City and facing the High Line, the large storefront window and adjacent interior space (see provided drawings for more detail), are highly visible to the public. The installation should be a spatially innovative and visually stunning experience for passersby and visitors to the store, hosted events, cocktail parties, panel discussions, and workshops. Think about the look inside and out. The GE Garages program makes stops at key cities and events around the US, introducing participants new and old with some of the latest manufacturing technologies, while igniting a passion for invention and making things. GE is sponsoring the competition to ask designers and architects to put the principles of MAKING THINGS/GE GARAGES into practice. The MAKING THINGS retail space is as much about participation as it is about showing the best merchandise.

144 Tenth Avenue (corner of 19th street), New York, NY, USA. STORY is a 2,000sq ft ground floor retail space with typical ceiling heights of 14 ft. The installation will be limited to the 3 windows in the north bay along 10th Avenue. See provided drawing set for detailed dimensions.

Design submissions should conceptually address MAKING THINGS rapid prototyping capabilities as applied to an architectural scale. This challenge is all about MAKING THINGS, and the design should employ the following technologies and materials (entries are not required to use all of the following):

• 3D printer: MakerBot Replicator™ or similar model
  Materials: ABS plastic
• Laser cutter: Epilog Helix or similar model
  Materials: acrylic, glass, paper, cardboard, leather, stone and much more
• Injection Molder: Morgan Industries G-100T or similar model
  Materials: ABS plastic, Thermoplastic PolyEthylene (TPE)
• CNC Mill: Tormach PCNC 770 or similar benchtop model
  Materials: acrylic, wood, glass, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium

Functional needs:

• View - the installation should not completely hinder pedestrian view into the store.
• Stability - the installation needs to be stable and safe in all conditions, natural or other.
• Billboard - the installation should be a visual beacon to passersby.
• Merchandising (Optional) - MAKING THINGS will have a retail component. Although the bulk of that merchandise will be displayed via traditional retail display methods, the proposals may provide shelves and hanging opportunities for displaying products.
• Interactivity (Optional) - Although the installation does not need to physically engage visitors, designers can suggest opportunities for seating or other ways for the public to physically engage with the piece.

Constraints and Considerations:

• No brand names, logos or slogans outside of GE brand integration.
• No depictions of any persons or characters, real or fictional, living or deceased.
• No exterior modifications.
• No puncturing of floor or ceiling slab permissible.
• Plywood-backed gyp board walls can be used for anchoring, but not ideal.

Fabrication: The winner will receive a USD 20,000 grand prize for the execution of the design. The design can be executed via local third parties or by the designers themselves - as long as it is ready for opening day on October 5, 2012.

Applicants should submit their proposals to Architizer via email, with subject heading MAKING THINGS, to competition@architizer.com, with the following items attached in 1 (one) .pdf file formatted to landscape 11x17” to contain:

• Information page: Firm Name, Participants, Firm Location, Architizer profile URL and a brief (500 or fewer words) description of the proposal. Be sure to address issues of materiality and build-ability.
• Preliminary budget proposal that allocates the $20,000 stipend and a work proposal that explains building materials and schedule, transportation and lodging (if you don't live in NYC), labor (paid labor, friends, etc.), and timing (applicants are encouraged to build off-site, leaving a 1 week period only for installation).
• Renderings, sections, plans and details as necessary to fully explicate the proposal.
• Diagrams as necessary (not required).
• Proposals must be technologically feasible and reasonable enough to complete in the given time frame.
• 5MB maximum PDF file size.

Applicants must upload a firm profile to Architizer. Past work will play a role in the selection process - we must be certain that winners can carry out their proposed vision.

There is no entry fee for this competition. Employees or contractors of GE, Sub Rosa, Story and TechShop are not eligible for the competition. Otherwise, the competition is open to all people over 18+ with the ability to design and fabricate the space. If awarded, winner must be able to coordinate with STORY and GE Garages production teams as needed, from results announcement through store opening. Entrants not in the NYC area will need to clearly outline their execution plan for fabrication and install. All submissions are subject to the Terms and Conditions. In the event of any inconsistency between the Terms and Conditions and the content of this document, the Terms and Conditions shall control.

• Andy Goldberg – Creative Director, Global Advertising and Experiential, General Electric
• Yves Behar - Founder, Fuseproject
• Ben Kaufman - Founder, Quirky
• Sherry Huss - Maker-in-Chief, O'Reilly Media
• Marc Kushner - Co-founder, Architizer

One (1) winner will receive $20,000 inclusive of all travel, materials, fabrication and other costs associated with the timely execution of the design.

Photos of the space can be found here
GE Garages: www.ge.com/garages/
STORY: www.fastcompany.com/1802401/can-startup-store-change-retail-business