Portuguese architects to put their stamp on Dallas

Urban Revision, a San Francisco based group focused on creating a new model for urban living, has selected 'Forwarding Dallas' a design by Portugual based architecture firms Atelier Data and MOOV as the winner of an international competition dubbed Re: Vision- Dallas. The competition, which drew 126 entries from 26 countries, asked competitors to transform a neglected urban block in downtown Dallas into a self-sustaining community that will run off the grid.

The winning design proposes an 854-unit housing development modeled on a hill town. On the hills (the roofs of the buildings) solar thermal, photovoltaic and wind power will provide for 100% of the energy needs of the residents. In the valleys, trees and vegetation are proposed. Cascading down the sides of the buildings are public greenhouses. Also proposed are a spiritual space, gymnasium and exhibition space as well as a daycare center designed for both children and the elderly.

'Forwarding Dallas' was selected from among three finalist designs. “All three of the design teams impressed us, both with the quality of their designs and in the interviews,” said John Greenan, Executive Director for Central Dallas CDD, which worked with Urban Revision on the project. “But as we went further into our review, we began to see the deep logic of the MOOV-Atelier Data design, “Forwarding Dallas”. It seemed to us to do the best job of incorporating sustainability in to the foundation of the design.”

While the focus of the competition was a city block, Greenan hopes the project will extend to other blocks nearby and ultimately lead to the creation of a sustainable district.

Ground breaking for the project is scheduled for early 2011.

Sharon McHugh
US Correspondent