Q1.7: In past competitions, it was clarified that the scale of the building in architectural renders was at the team’s discretion. Clarification Q1.5 from the 2023 SDC instead suggests that the maximum building scale for the 2023 SDC can be no more than 1:56, giving a story height of 14 feet. Is this interpretation correct?
A: In Q1.5 we stated that any scaling factors considering the building to be a typical real life construction can be used. If the average height of a story is 14’, then the scaling factor would be 1:56, which is the average, not the maximum. Please select scaling factors that would yield “typical real life […]
Q1.8: The scaling of 1:56, as said in previous clarification and the vertical (height): horizontal (length and breadth) dimension can offer just 1 residential apartment on a floor while in a realistic construction, it’s observed to have at least 2 apartments on a floor. So, should we stick with the beforementioned clarification, or can we proceed with increasing the ratio of horizontal dimension to vertical dimension (currently it is 14:3)?
A: Participants should stick to the provided ratio and follow the response from the previous clarification.
Q1.4: Clarifications in previous years have said that architectural elements, like the building facade, and balconies, can extend beyond the structural building perimeter. In the architectural renders, is it possible to have enclosed, livable spaces, extend beyond the structural model’s perimeter?
A: Facades and balconies are permitted to extend beyond the structural perimeter. However, livable spaces beyond the structural perimeter are not permitted.
Q1.5: With a scaling factor of 1:96, the 3″ structural floor height is increased to 24′ in the architectural model. This height is sufficient to allow for the creation of lofted spaces. Is it permissible to include lofted spaces in the architectural design and renders so long as they follow the California Building and Fire Codes?
A: Any scaling factors considering the building to be a typical real life construction can be used (average height of stories is 14’ giving a scale of 1:56, not more than this). Yes, lofted spaces are permitted as long as they follow the California building and fire codes.
Q1.6: The rules state that: “The client requests one tower to be for residential purposes while the other is to be for commercial use.” Then states that: “The client has given you, the engineer and the designer, the ability to decide how the remaining stories in the building will be rented (residential, office, etc.).” Are we allowed to determine what uses each floor has or must we maintain only commercial on one tower and only residential on the other tower. Also, when the rules state: “The skybridges will be leased as a retail space” is it only the skybridge itself or the entire skybridge floor?
A: One tower has to be entirely commercial and the other residential. It is up to the engineer to decide on the assignment. Note that the lowermost and the two uppermost floor levels are retail spaces. All the sky bridges, and not the entire sky bridge floor, will be leased as retail space.