The architectural competition to make Arboretum North in Baggböle accessible

The Arboretum Norr Foundation, together with architecture students Edith Tamm and Jonas Eltes has invited architectural students to take part in an architectural competition. The aim is tocreate a more inclusive and accessible environment around the Arboretum Norr site in Baggböle. The winning concept will be presented on 1 June after a jury with expertise in the field has reviewed the entries.

The main focus of the competition is on interesting concepts, ideas and representations of the spatial design and experience of the site with a focus on visitors with different forms of disabilities. The wider ambition of the competition is that the projects should hopefully be able to be realised and should therefore be able to be supported secondarily by appropriate materials and designs.

The organisers of the competition are Johnny Schimmel, director of Arboretum Norr and students of architecture Edith Tamm and Jonas Eltes.

When Jonas and Edith contacted me about a possible collaboration, I immediately realised that Arboretum Norr has the chance to get new and fresh ideas on how to make our beautiful arboretum more accessible to everyone. Unfortunately, much of the planting is on a steep south-facing slope that can only be reached via steep stairs and difficult paths, and we want people with different disabilities to be able to enjoy the arboretum as well," says Johnny Schimmel and continues:

Now we hope for exciting proposals on how to design the environment and build opportunities for increased accessibility. The next step will be to use the students' sketches as a basis for seeking sponsors for the actual implementation.

All entries will be judged by a jury consisting of:

Johnny Schimmel - Arboretum North

Tom's Kokins - Teacher UMA

Carla Collevechio - Teacher UMA

Anna Flatholm - City architect Umeå Municipality

Kim Granberg & Johan Björn - Mural Architecture

Petra Videstorm - Martinsson's

Entries will be judged on their visual appeal and harmony with the site, whether the proposal demonstrates elaborate solutions of high architectural quality and is based on a strong, site-specific concept. Also whether the proposal takes into account accessibility requirements for different disabilities.

Together with Martinssons and Svenskt trä, eXpression Umeå is a proud sponsor of the competition.