Rochester Design Competition

designRochester is proud to announce the third annual Rochester Design Competition.  Modeled after AIA Minnesota's St. Paul Prize, the Rochester Design Competition focuses on a transitional site in the heart of downtown Rochester. 

Aerial view of downtown Rochester with competition site highlighted

Aerial view of downtown Rochester with competition site highlighted


The 2016 Rochester Design Competition highlights an existing parcel that boasts the Historic Riverside Building on the prominent corner.  The elongated site has surface parking lots and some non-historic, 1-story buildings extending south to Hazama Park at the terminus of 6th Street SW.  The entire east frontage of the site engages the Zumbro River and the river trail system.  Both the Rochester Downtown Master Plan and Destination Medical Center Development Plan employ a strategy focused on the Zumbro River as a revitalized public amenity in contrast to the current flood control channel. 

The 2016 Rochester Design Competition will focus on this entire site to envision a future development that can complement the Riverside Building, with a mix of uses, increased density, underground parking, and enhanced urban design.  This site truly has it all, only blocks from Mayo Clinic and Discovery Square. 

Eligibility: Interns within seven years of graduating, architectural students, and unlicensed individuals are all eligible.  Licensed architects and teams of individuals are not eligible.

Prizes: First Prize $1,000 and Honorable Mention Prize(s) $250  [NOTE: All designs will remain the property of the entrants and there is no guarantee that a winning design will be used by the City of Rochester, DMCC, or any other developer.]

Entry Fee: $20 (multiple entries per individual are allowed provided multiple fees are submitted)

This Registration Form and payment of entry fee is required to receive the Competition Packet.  Competition packets will include full program requirements.  Packets will be delivered via email.  

Last Day to Register [EXTENDED]:          Thursday, April 28, 2016 by 5:00 PM  

Competition Packets Available:                 Friday, April 29, 2016 (via email)

Hard Copy Submissions Due:                    Postmarked by Friday May 27, 2016

Entries must be mailed or delivered to:

                                                                          Design Rochester

                                                                          518 7th Avenue SW

                                                                          Rochester, MN 55902