LVHRD Produces 2nd Annual Master-Disaster Architect Duel
Avant-garde arts foundation to host top architecture firms in fast-paced creative competition

January 9, 2006, NEW YORK — The LVHRD Foundation has announced that the Master-Disaster Architect Duel will return to the stage on February 20, 2006. The Architect Duel will feature two highly talented firms that exemplify the vision and innovation distinctive of the architecture industry. Contestants representing each firm will face-off in a battle of creativity and craftsmanship, under the pressures of limited resources and time.

Upon arrival at the venue, competing architects will be presented with a creative brief. The architects will create complete models based on the given objective, performing the task in three discrete stages: sketching and planning, preparation of materials, and full-scale assembly and construction. For the third stage, architects will be welcome to call upon the help of an assistant. Their overall creative process will be challenged by the amount of time, tools, and materials provided.

As a new component for this year's event, LVHRD will enlist the expertise of three seasoned architects to judge the final creations and determine a winner. LVHRD's founder, Beauregard H. Montgomery, explains this addition: “Last year, the audience voted to decide the champion. They were quite passionate, but this ultimately led to a draw. I think that having reputable judges voice their opinions and make a clear choice — a sort of victory insurance measure — will clarify the purpose and process of the contest.” At last year's Architect Duel, Matthew Johnson of Diller Scofidio + Renfro, known for leading the design of the High Line Project, was matched against Jason Carlow of Smith-Miller + Hawkinson. Johnson and Carlow were given the challenge to build a tower on the moon, in the year 2050, that would function as a government headquarters and luxurious vacation property. Given half an hour to sketch their plans and one hour to construct them, both architects raced to create their futuristic visions before an audience of over 700 attendees.

LVHRD's 2005 series of events ran the gamut of creative and competitive expression, including dancing battles, fashion dueling, and vending machine eating. LVHRD membership is diverse, comprised of artists, designers, editors, advertisers, marketers, techno-preneurs, and wordsmiths, among other professions. Highlights of the past year can be seen on lvhrd.com. The 2nd Annual Architect Duel will mark the start of LVHRD's 2006 event calendar. As with previous LVHRD productions, the location of the Architect Duel will remain undisclosed until the day of the event. A general admission fee will be charged for non-members who wish to attend. Membership is currently closed to the public, but inquiries may be directed to Chantal Strauss. All membership requests will be reviewed and decided on a case-by-case basis.

Photos from the first Architect Duel are available here. Additional coverage of of last year's event appeared in the Architect's Newspaper, Archinect, and Curbed.