Design City Benches for Athens
Athens, Greece is well-renowned for its rich history, cultural heritage and beauty.

To further enhance the city’s picturesque setting the city officials are seeking new concepts from industrial designers for a citywide makeover of its benches. The contest is named Athens Bench Mark.

The citizens of Athens will select the top 100 entries from among all submitted works. From this group of finalists, a jury will select three winning designs. At least one design will be utilized for the production of the city’s new benches.

“bench (a) noun, a simple structure placed in open spaces (parks, bus stops etc.) and used as a seat.”

Contest Details
Since winning entries will be used as production plans for benches used throughout Athens, there are specific guidelines and design rules that must be followed to meet the city’s wishes for aesthetic and functional purposes.

According to the contest rules the submitted designs should exhibit:

* Design aesthetics and harmony - the way it is implied …by the central idea of the contest - in the relation of …the relevant proposal with the urban environment.
* Object ergonomics to suit not only the average user but as well the elder, disabled people etc.
* Quality of materials and functionality
* Innovative and sustainable design.
* Environmentally friendly and other possible materials and methods …of building the final product in an eco-friendly or energy saving …manner as a “Green product.”
* Capability of using the modern present industrial machinery and …realistic, cost efficient, mass production methods… “smart design.”
* Compact design, resistance to vandalism, endurance in time under …all environmental conditions, and ease of installation.

N. Kaklamanis, Mayor of Athens, said:

“Athens Bench Mark, is at once, a global call for creativity, an artistic event, a project that contributes to the international promotion of our city and an attempt for Athens to become a modern, high quality tourist destination.”

Photographer T. Karapanagiotis, President of “The World of Athens,” added:

“…By designing, voting, changing benches in Athens, maybe we can put our own personal touch and change our routine a little.

“To get out for lunch instead of eating it at our office, let the light breeze refresh us. To meet a friend at a bench rather than a cafeteria. To read a newspaper on a Sunday and sit at a bench rather than being confined in a house.

“We hope Athenians and others will participate in designing your own bench or vote for one of your favorite benches. Our goal is to involve the citizens in the city they live in.”

“The Athens Bench Mark is here and gives everyone the opportunity to leave their mark in Athens…”

Other Contest Details
There will be three cash awards:

* First prize: 5.000€ (6,836 USD)
* Second prize: 3.000€ (4,101 USD)
* Third prize: 2.000€ (2,734 USD)

The official rules and entry guidelines of the Athens Bench Mark contest can be found by clicking on this link for the details. For the technical specifications on file format parameters and what is needed in your submission package, go to the official site. Click on “entry form” to access this document.

The Athens Bench Mark contest deadline is April 6, 2010.