Young Designers Open Call

The Young Designers Open Call (YDOC), organized by reSITE for Manifesto Market, is an opportunity for emerging architects and designers to manifest their talent in front of a renowned jury, get their idea built and put in use in a popular Prague location, within only a few weeks. 

This open call is for you if

• You are an ambitious student, fresh graduate, an emerging studio or you seek to reconnect with your practice after a career break
• You are passionate about public space interventions, and curious for innovative, circular design practices
• Please keep in mind this open call aims to offer a springboard to emerging talent and highlight professionals in an early phase of their career. 

Why participate

• A five-member international jury will be reviewing your work. 
• The winner will be awarded a financial prize of 60,000 CZK, followed by 15,000 CZK and 10,000 CZK for selected projects in second and third place. 
• The winning project will be installed at Manifesto Market in Prague this coming summer and used and enjoyed by up to 3.000 visitors a day. 

About YDOC

Drawing inspiration from the renowned Young Architects Program by MoMA PS1 in New York City, which became transformative and shaped the careers of emerging architects while redefining the boundaries of innovative design, we invite you to show how design and creative placemaking can impact public engagement, fuel urban areas with vibrancy and spark dialogue around sustainability. 

For its inaugural edition, Manifesto Market calls architects, designers and/or scenographers to conceive a summer installation for its Prague location, an award-winning space designed by Chybik+Kristof in 2021 and serving the community for over 1250 days without interruption. The participants are encouraged to come up with ideas that reflect sustainable and circular design principles, core values to Manifesto Market. The open call is organized by reSITE.org, a non-profit platform connecting people and ideas to improve the urban environment. 

Open Call Design Brief

YDOC challenges the participants to design and present innovative projects that redefine the use of public space. The winner will create a temporary outdoor installation, active from May to September, that enhances Manifesto Market’s functionality and visitor experience during the bustling summer months. The installation must provide shade, enable smooth circulation for potentially thousands of visitors each day (80,000 in a single month), and seamlessly integrate with the high-quality architectural concept of Chybik+Kristof and the vibrant atmosphere of the market while maintaining its regular operations. YDOC participants will be tasked with building on Chybik+Kristof design, creating a forward-thinking concept that pays homage to Manifesto’s roots while reimagining its future potential as a temporal art, architecture and/or design installation. 

Functions of the installation

The winning concept shall redefine the experience of Manifesto’s common space, incorporating elements as diverse as shading, seating, water, light and/or interactive experiences. YDOC participants are also challenged to address topical environmental issues including sustainability and circularity, aligning their ideas with Manifesto’s founding vision of urban renewal and innovation. This competition emphasizes creative solutions that combine aesthetic appeal with practicality, ensuring a dynamic yet functional addition to Manifesto Market, making it the ultimate destination for music and cultural vibes in Prague. 

The resulting temporary summer installation from YDOC will open a new chapter for the market, and will take center stage in Manifesto Market’s new Sounds of Summer Series featuring DJs, live bands and musical performances. This outdoor venue will amplify the energy of the summer season, providing the perfect atmosphere for food and music lovers to gather, dance, and connect. 

Budget

The installation and production cost of the summer installation shall not exceed CZK 500,000.

 

How to participate

You can participate if you are an individual, a team, a collective or a small studio with or without a registered practice. To participate in the YDOC, it is mandatory to register online via this simple form. Only registered participants will be provided with supporting data and drawings necessary to their design work.

 

Questions are accepted online via this Q&A form until February 15th, 2025. Answers will be published in the Q&A section on the YDOC webpage before February 20, 2025. 

REGISTER HERE

 

Submission 

The project's submission deadline is April 4th, 2025 at midnight CET and a previous registration is obligatory. 

 

The submissions must include:

• 1x site plan showing circulation and preservation of existing site features
• 1x 2D eye level, pre-defined point of view (preferred view is part of the documentation)
• 1x 3D bird view, pre-defined point of view (preferred view is part of the documentation)
• 1x section view (not specified)
• 1x 3D view, view defined by the participant
• 1x designer narrative up to 200 words, in English or Czech
• Estimated budget of the installation

Accepted format is one pdf presentation including all the required elements, not exceeding 50 Mb. If the project includes videos or animations, they should be linked in the pdf. 

Each proposal must be labeled solely by a numeric code attributed to participants during registration. The drawings and project presentations will be free of names, brands, school affiliation and logos of the participants. 

Selection Process 

After the closure of submissions, the Jury will carefully review and evaluate each entry. A shortlist of a maximum of 10 proposals will be selected to participate in the final battle. The finalists will be invited to refine and present their detailed proposals, including design renderings, material specifications, and an implementation plan, in front of the jury and an audience in the YDOC Award Night at Manifesto Market Prague. After the live presentations, the Jury will select three projects and announce one winner. 

 

The shortlisted teams will be announced and informed no later than April 9th. The final presentation is scheduled for April 11th, 2025, where the winner will be chosen and announced. 10 finalists are expected to be present to give a live presentation. 

 

Selection criteria

• 40% creativity and demonstration of innovative thinking, sustainable practices, and the potential to create a memorable public space
• 40% feasibility, meeting of the program (i.e.: shade, circulation, meeting needs of a highly visited market/restaurant environment)
• 20% expected production cost of the concept 

Jury

The open call is organized and administered by reSITE. The Jury will comprise five members, four independent and one dependent.

Confirmed independent Jury members

• Jana Zielinski, Director, Designblok
• Ondřej Chybík, Co-founder, Chybik + Krištof
• Anna Marešová, Founder Anna Marešová Designers
• Jakub Cigler, Founder, Jakub Cigler Architekti

Dependent Jury member

• Martin Joseph Barry, Founder and CEO, Manifesto Market

 

Award

First prize 60,000 CZK, project built

Second prize 15,000 CZK

Third prize 10,000 CZK 

 

Note that the fees will be attributed to three selected projects and the amount is final regardless of the number of members in the winning teams. 

The winning project will be commissioned for fabrication and installed at Manifesto Market before June 2025. 

 

Visibility 

The YDOC is originated by Manifesto Market to continue its mission to transform places through innovative design, cultural programming and with food experiences. The open call, its winners and awarded projects will benefit from media attention and coverage, and will be promoted as the centerpiece of Manifesto’s summer season and its focus on design. Through media campaigns, partnerships with design networks, and coverage by leading publications, the project aims to gain significant visibility, showcasing full credits for its future creative addition while reflecting the organizers’ commitment to inspiring city life and urban repurposing.

 

Key Dates

February 5th, 2025 beginning of registrations for YDOC

February 15th, 2025 deadline for Q&A, no questions will be addressed beyond that date

April 4th, 2025 midnight CET deadline for project submissions

April 11th, 2025 YDOC Final night and Winner announcement

May 29th, 2025 preliminary date for the installation reveal event

 

The YDOC is organized by reSITE.org, z.s., Voršilská 10, Praha 1 - Nové Město. 

Contact to organizing committee: info@resite.org 

 

REGISTER HERE

 

FAQ

YDOC Final Night

Is in-person presence in Prague obligatory?

We are glad to welcome participants from Europe and from international universities. International participants, if selected in the final shortlist, will be able to present their proposal via a video call. Please consider the time zone (CET), the final presentations will be scheduled in the evening of April 11th, 2025.

 

Will the presentation be open to the public?

Yes.

 

Is a hybrid format meeting/presentation with virtual attendees an option?

Yes, we accept virtual presenters, but no virtual attendees/guests.

 

If in-person, where will the presentations take place?

At Manifesto Market Andel in Prague, Czech Republic, in the so-called "culture zone" of the venue.

 

 

Submission Format

Is there a specific orientation (tabloid, landscape, banner) or size format desired for PDF presentation entry submissions?

Landscape presentation (slide) format is required as it will be presented on a typical screen during the final presentation: 1920 × 1080 px is the recommended size (16:9 ratio).

 

 

Installation Details

Do the contestants have to provide a specific source of materials – a manufacturer, a brand or company?

Contestants are not required to provide a specific source of materials, such as a particular manufacturer or company. However, suggestions regarding material sources contributing to the clarity or feasibility of the design proposal are welcomed.

 

Is it allowed for the structure to have footing under the pavement level?

Footings below the pavement level are not permitted. All self-standing elements must be surface-mounted.

 

Is there a designated area, zone, or structure within the market where the installation is intended to be placed? Or are all public spaces within the Market considered part of the installation site. Are there any location-specific limitations?

All areas within the site boundaries (as shown in the drawings) are eligible. However, 2-3 key areas are best suited for large-scale installations. We encourage teams to focus on the central space, but the jury will select the most engaging installation, regardless of location.

 

Are there any structural or logistical constraints on where or how the installation can be set up?

The raised floor structure supports about 500kg per meter. Installations should be temporary, budget-friendly, and avoid heavy, complex materials. The winning team will collaborate on technical details to ensure safety and compliance.

 

Can the existing lighting, decorations, and movable furniture be modified in any way to accommodate the installation design?

Yes. However, given that Manifesto Market is an active place, seating must be maintained across the site even if it needs to be relocated for the installation.

 

Can the installation be attached to the existing scaffolding? If so, can you please share the connection details and weight capacity information?

Yes. Technical details about the structure and capacity will be reviewed and worked on together with the winning team to ensure safety and compliance within the structural framework.

 

Will the retractable covering above the pool area and stage area need to remain operable during the summer months? Or will these areas remain ‘open’ during the summer season?

The roof retraction is manual and can be adjusted. The roof above the pool area will be removed for the summer months, while other areas of the site will be partially covered to protect guests from sun and rain.

 

Can you confirm the locations of the speakers + sound system?

Technical details and locations will be reviewed and worked on together with the winning team to ensure safety and compliance within the existing framework. These systems often move depending on the season.

 

Can you confirm the locations of the electrical feeds throughout the site?

Technical details and locations will be reviewed and worked on together with the winning team to ensure safety and compliance within the existing framework. These systems often move depending on the season.

 

 

Technology

Is there an existing app for user interaction and Manifesto Market Andel?

No, we prioritize an analog, offline experience, as physical interaction in the meeting space is central to our mission.

 

Are there any constraints or guidelines for integrating technology into the installation?

No.

 

 

Programming

What is the lineup of artists/musicians for the summer series? Will performances include DJs, live bands, or other artists?

All of the above, including, on occasion, other types of performance art like dance.

 

When is the first event scheduled?

Early June, the date will be announced one we have more clarity about the installation needs and schedule.

 

 

Construction & Implementation Cost

Is the construction budget inclusive of all installation materials, labor, construction, and installation costs?

Yes.

 

Does Manifesto have a preferred construction partner or subcontractors for this project?

Yes.

 

Will there be a bid process as part of the implementation timeline?

No, it will likely be a single-source bid unless some elements are so unique that we need to expand our procurement, but that will also likely fit within the scope of our trusted partners.