SONA DESIGN COMPETITON 2022

A Social Initiative

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 SONA DESIGN COMPETITON 2022
A Social Initiative

URBAN BUS STAND

FOR KATHMANDU VALLEY OR OTHER URBAN AREAS

1 INTRODUCTION:
The Society of Nepalese Architects (SONA) is pleased to announce a social initiative in the form an
architectural design competition of Urban Bus Stand, proposed for the urban areas in in Kathmandu or other
areas.
Urban public transportation is an important part of urban infrastructure construction. With the rapid
development of the urban economy and the continuous expansion of the urban landscape, the role of public
transportation in the development and operation of cities has become increasingly prominent. From improved
community health to affordability, public transportation systems create the foundation on which cities become
more livable and prosperous in a variety of ways. Bus stand is an important and essential component of the
public transportation. The main characteristic of bus stand is their convergence function, because they serve
as important nodes of transfer between different modes. These nodes are the focus of passenger activity,
which is a potential ingredient for a vibrant city space.

THE BRIEF:
Over the years, our society has begun to address the issues of discriminations due to caste, creed, colour, sex,
profession as well as physical abilities and is aiming to become a more inclusive one – where all are included
and perceived as equals.
Throughout the world it is being realized that there need not be an exclusive design effort to suit the needs
of people with differences. For example, if a door is wide enough to allow passage of wheelchair or crutch
users that door is good enough for all persons. Designing therefore should focus on being universal rather
than fulfilling separate needs. A single design not only helps in controlling space and expense but also reduces
exclusion and promotes inclusion. Simply put, a universal design means there are no differences between
people. It integrates and does not differentiate.
This competition focuses on applying these principles of universal design on a very challenging site. It is hoped
this center will serve as an example and help raise the awareness of both designers and the society as a
whole

INTENT
The objective of Design Competition is to prepare Design of the Bus stand covering (but not limited to) the
following:
Regional Characteristics: Design shall be full of innovative sprit but also reflect Kathmandu’s rich
architectural heritage.

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 SONA DESIGN COMPETITON 2022
A Social Initiative

Design need to reflect the rich architectural heritage of the valley but does not need to be strictly
traditional.
Sustainability: The design shall be innovative and cost effective with integration of best practices
followed in the world including local climatic conditions, green features etc.
Safety: Design need to be inclusive for all passengers including elderly, specially-abled, children,
users with luggage. Having facilities such as Ramps, Handrails, Lighting, Signages, Braille for visually
impaired passengers etc. with all weather protection.
DESIGN PROGRAM:
Replicability: The design must be made as prototype base and shall have key entity of replicability
in other urban areas of Nepal.

DESIGN CHALLENGES
The appearance of urban bus stops can play a role in identifying the image of the city. The appearance of
urban bus stand can play a role in identifying the image of the city, allowing people to form a cognitive
transformation between the look of the bus station and the image of the city in a subconscious way, to make
a direct and efficient connection between the outlook of the bus station and the local city.
The look of urban bus stops can represent urban culture. A successful urban bus station design often goes
beyond its own practical value, but becomes the business card of the city. As the first stop of communication
with outsiders, the station has been endowed with cultural background and charm. This cultural value is often
reflected in the following three aspects:
Commercial culture: The commercial culture of bus stations is largely reflected in the commercial
advertisements displayed on them
Public welfare culture: Besides commercial advertisements, more and more public welfare
advertisements appear on the information boards installed at bus stops. In addition to spreading the
spirit and culture of public welfare, they also told the city’s unique humanism care wordlessly.
Regional culture: The bus station, which represents the city’s culture, is further enlarged, and it is also
a manifestation of regional characteristics.

2 DESIGN PROGRAM
The bus stop stand should function as a functional space for people waiting for the public bus while addressing
the new challenges as inclusivity, urban safety and others.
Designer have liberty to integrate necessary programs in the project within the limited site as provided.

SITE
Site in front of Bir hospital is chosen for the competition as it is located in between two of the most prominent
Bus stops in Kathmandu namely NAC and Ratna Park.

The site is given for the reference only, however designer must consider the replicability of the design in
other urban areas.

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 SONA DESIGN COMPETITON 2022
A Social Initiative

For design consideration the site dimension as kept as 10m x 3m.

3 DESIGN SUBMISSION CRITERIA

• A design concept notes of 200 words describing the project and intentions.
• Max 3 Numbers of A3 sheet - Plan, Elevation, Section, 3D views, Material specifications.
• Well-presented master plan, all floor plans, 1 section, 2 views, and a short animation of up to
60 seconds.

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:
17:00, 10 JANUARY 2023

WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT DATE:

15 JANUARY 2023

CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES:

- All entries will be given a certificate of participation. The three winning entries shall be awarded
cash prizes as per the following:
- 1st Prize – Rs. 25,000
- 2nd Prize – Rs. 15,000
- 3 Prize
rd
– Rs. 10,000

SUBMIT AT

Participants are kindly request to submit all the documents in one pdf and video file at
[email protected]

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 SONA DESIGN COMPETITON 2022
A Social Initiative

4 DESIGN GUIDELINES
Competition Guidelines as laid by the Society of Nepalese Architects (SONA) protects and safeguards the
interest of both the promoter and the competitors. While ensuring the promoter a design of high standard, it
also ensures that each competitor competes on like conditions and within the same limitations.
Both the promoter and the competitor are assured by these guidelines that the entries will be judged only by
those who are qualified to interpret the competitors' presentations and to judge if the design selected meets
with the promoter's requirements. The guidelines therefore lay considerable emphasis on the mandatory
requirement of jury and their qualifications.

ELIGIBILITY:
• Architects and architecture students are eligible to participate in the competition.
• The competition shall be conducted in English.
• All competition designs shall be submitted anonymously.
• Participating architects must submit a proof of qualification, copy of his/her valid registration certificate
issued by the Society of Nepalese Architects (SONA).
• Student Participants have to submit the photocopy of Student ID attested by the Head of the
Department, along with this Declaration Form.
• The anonymity of the competitors shall be maintained until the final award of the jury and in
the interest of the competition, rigorous measures shall be taken to ensure that this principle
is adhered to. No competitor shall terminate his anonymity in any way whatsoever till the final
award. The anonymity of each competitor shall be guaranteed by adopting suitable measures.
• Each competitor shall retain copyright in his/her own competition design. Each competitor
shall retain the right of reproduction of his/her own competition design.
• The promoter shall have the right to use the winning design for one time execution only. Any
use of the other submitted designs by the promoter is only allowed with written consent of the
respective competitors.

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A Social Initiative

5 REGISTRATION FORM

Title of Competition

SONA Registration number of Team leader (Not required for Architecture students):
.............................................................................................

Competitor (s)/ Name (s)

(Team leader1) Mr. / Ms.............................................................................................
( Surname) (1st Name) (2nd Name)
(2) Mr. / Ms. ..........................................................................................
( Surname) ( 1st Name) ( 2nd Name)
(3) Mr. / Ms. ...........................................................................................
( Surname) ( 1st Name) ( 2nd Name)
Address: (of team leader)
................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................

Declaration:
1. I/We have followed the rules of the above competition.
2. I/We shall accept the decision of the Panel of Jurors as final and binding on us.
3. I/We fulfill the minimum eligibility criteria to participate in the above competition as stipulated
in the rules.
4. The submitted design is an original one entirely created by me/us.

Signature....................................................
Date...........................................................

Notes:
i. Registration is not transferable and to be submitted during the time of submission

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 SONA DESIGN COMPETITON 2022
A Social Initiative

6 THE JURY:

1. The jury shall be set up before the promotion of the competition. Their names and those of the
reserve members of the board, if any shall be stated in the competition conditions.
2. The jury shall be composed of a smallest reasonable number of assessors which number shall
be an odd figure.
3. The size of the jury shall depend upon the size of the competition project and preferably the
number of jurors shall not exceed seven.
4. Of the total number of jurors, the number of jurors who shall be Architects and registered with
the Society of Nepalese Architects (SONA) shall be in a majority of at least one.
5. Each member of the jury shall examine and approve the competition conditions before they
are made available to the competitors.
6. It is essential that at least 2/3rd of the voting members of the jury shall be present at all
meetings of the jury. The jury shall elect a Chairperson from among its members.
7. No promoter of the competition and no jurors nor any partner, associate, or employee of either
shall compete or assist a competitor, or act as architect or joint architect for the project.
8. This regulation shall not be applicable to:
• Staff or present students of an Institution of which a member of the regular teaching staff is on
the jury provided he/she is not the sole juror and the jury consists of two or more jurors of
whom only one is a member of the teaching staff of this or any other Institution.
• Employees of a Government, Semi-Government or a Public Sector organization of which one
of its employees is on the jury provided he/she is not the sole juror and the jury consists of
three or more jurors of whom only one is such an employee.
8. Any drawings, photographs, models or other documents not required by the competition
condition shall be excluded by the jury before examining the competitors' entries.
9. The jury shall disqualify any design which does not conform to any of the conditions,
instructions or requirements of the competition.
10. The jury must make an award. The award shall be final and shall be made public in open
competitions, and intimated individually to all those participating in limited competition, by a
date stated in the conditions. The jury when distributing the award money shall make full use
of the amounts set aside for prizes in the competition conditions. In an idea’s competition, a
first prize shall be awarded.
11. The decision of the jury shall be taken by a majority vote with a separate vote on each entry.
The award including the jurors’ report to the promoter, shall be signed by all the members of
the jury before they disperse.

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A Social Initiative

12. The decision of the jury regarding selection and placement of competition design shall be final
and binding on the promoter and all competitors and shall be reached by a majority.
13. The jury will make its award known to the promoter in a formal statement signed by at least a
simple majority of its members. The statement will indicate the number of designs examined
and the order of the prizes awarded. This statement must be completed before the envelopes
are opened and the jurors disperse.

Signature....................................................
Name………………………………………………………
Date............................................................

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