KRob 2013 – Architectural Delineation Competition

If you like architectural “drawings” than you’ve just landed on the mother lode. Those of us in the architectural business (because architects like to use big words) call these “architectural delineations” or “renderings.” Drawings are what go up on your refrigerator, typically held down with weak letter magnets.

Now in its 39th year, the AIA Dallas’s Ken Roberts Memorial Delineation Competition – “KRob” as it is commonly referenced – is the longest-running architectural delineation competition in the world. Organized by AIA Dallas since 1974, KRob has awarded prizes to works that best represent the artistic qualities of architecturally inspired drawings created digitally or by hand. All students and professionals are encouraged to submit entries, which are judged by a three member panel that includes industry recognized visionaries in the graphic arts. For most of its history, KRob was a local competition for architects and renderers in the Dallas/Fort Worth region. Since accepting drawing electronically five years ago, the competition has grown dramatically, with entries increasing by over 600% the first year. Due to high numbers of international entries, a new international prize was created for those outside of the United States.

On November 14th, I will be moderating a panel made up of the jurors, who will be selecting the winners in this years delineation competition, where each panelist will present their work and engage in a lively conversation on current trends in architectural delineation, the profession of CG Architects, techniques and technology. It is intended that this panel will be streamed live around the planet with the opportunity for viewers to pose questions to the panelists.

This competition is a big deal and there are typically hundreds of entries from all over the world from both professionals, students and all points in between. I used to chair the KRob Memorial Delineation Competition back in the ’90’s when I was more involved in my local chapter AIA. When I took over, the competition received around 40 – 50 entries from around the state and the reception was a lemonade and cookies event held in the chapter office. BORING. I decided that was going to change so I started raising money so I could fly in whoever I wanted to personally meet, we rented out space at a local microbrewery, and turned this into a fantastic party that celebrated the architectural graphic arts. Within 2 years, our entries almost tripled and the announcement party became a “must attend” event with 100+ people regularly attending. If you can believe it, I created a special category for digital renderings and received all sorts of grief over it – many of the older guard were really against admitting these “new” types of renderings into the competition. It’s amazing how times have changed – not only do digital renderings outnumber the number of hand drawn renderings 10 to 1, the submissions come in from around the planet (over 30 different countries last year.)

Enough talking … here are some of the recognized entries from last years event. Each is remarkable and show the depth of creative talent available from which we can all draw inspiration.

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If you liked looking at these images, you can head over to the official Ken Roberts Competition web site and take a look at all the recognized entries (finalists and winners) from the last 8 years! It’s a huge repository of architectural eye-candy.

If you want to learn more about the event, including how to enter, submission requirements, juror data, and the Awards Presentation and Lecture event, you can find all of that information here:

Competition Details

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Enter Online

It is important to note that the Entry Deadline is coming up. All entries must be received by Monday, October 28, 2013 5pm CST.

If you want to meet the jurors (or me, I love to meet people) you can attend the Awards Presentation, Wine Reception & Lecture without submitting a rendering. Just mark your calendar with the following date:

Register for the Awards Presentation and Lecture here.