Parkitecture: A Virtual Design Competition

This webpage encapsulates portions of the full competition and prompt details. Registration is now open!

What is Parkitecture?

Parkitecture is a virtual architectural design competition that offers university students the opportunity to showcase their skills and industry knowledge through unique Themed Entertainment design challenges.

Themed Entertainment is a diverse industry, covering a wide variety of venues, including art exhibits, restaurants, and theme parks. One of the most critical aspects of developing these immersive storied experiences lies within architecture. Hence, “Parkitecture” is where architecture influences the built environment to immerse occupants within narrative storytelling.

Industry Judges

This year's competition was designed with the help and partnership of the following industry judges:

Perry Becker Design, LLC

Perry-Becker Design is a Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Thematic Design firm specializing in community planning, hospitality and resort planning, themed entertainment design, and construction management. Our mission is to build personal relationships with clients, positioning ourselves as trusted partners in every project’s design and development. We deliver creative, sustainable design solutions that balance financial goals with the creation of unique, memorable environments.

Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our professional quality and the use of advanced technology to craft innovative designs. Guided by the belief that the best designs embody our clients’ vision, we strive to create "legacy designs" tailored to each client and location. Both Mr. Perry and Mr. Becker remain actively involved as working design principals in every project, ensuring hands-on expertise rather than administrative oversight—a principle we honor with the highest regard.

Success for Perry-Becker Design is not defined by a single project but by long-term relationships that inspire ongoing collaboration. We aim to develop projects that shape unique identities, enhance community and corporate brands, and establish enduring legacies.

Our legacy design approach transcends conventional solutions by providing thoughtful, customized designs that deliver financial value, foster environmental responsibility, and enhance both the aesthetic and economic vitality of the communities we serve.

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FUNRULY

FUNRULY is a unique design firm dedicated to taking risks, seeing things differently and partnering with each of our clients to create unforgettable spaces. We are a licensed, full service architecture studio, specializing in the creation of immersive experiences and themed environments for a wide a variety of market sectors. Our passion is the theater of space and experiences

driven by story. Simply put, our objective is to elevate the guest experience! We are both artist and architect, dreamer and doer; an interdisciplinary studio that thrives on delivering exceptional spaces that connect with guests through unique experiences and thematic environments.

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COAR Design Group

COAR Design Group is a nationally recognized design firm, founded in 1992 with offices in San Diego and Santa Rosa, California. We specialize in public works projects, including community and recreation centers, parks, libraries, public safety facilities, fire stations, police stations, animal care facilities, and more. A consistent thread connects every project we have worked on: Community. A combination of “COmmunity ARchitects,” COAR is committed to designing facilities that unite and enhance the communities they serve. We understand that every community has its own unique set of values, which is why we are committed to working closely with you to design a durable, functional, and practical space that fits the needs of your community members.

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Association of Zoos & Aquariums

For over 100 years, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a nonprofit organization, has been focused on advancing animal care and wellbeing, supporting engaging experiences with animals and empowering wildlife conservation. With 251 AZA-accredited facilities in 45 states and 13 countries, we are proud to be setting the global gold standard for zoos and aquariums. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.

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Lion Country Safari

Lion Country Safari opened in the summer of 1967 in rural Western Palm Beach County with dozens of free-roaming lions and a few other species. The drive-through safari park is believed to be the first cageless zoo in the country, introducing a new concept in zoology and bringing the experience of an African game park - then and now, an expensive and time-consuming trip - to families who would otherwise not be able to experience an African safari. South Florida’s Western Palm Beach County proved to be an ideal location for the park due to its year-round tropical climate, plentiful land, a growing population and tourists who visit from all over the world. To learn more, visit www.lioncountrysafari.com.

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This year’s Parkitecture challenge is Mystical Menageries!

Participants are challenged to design an immersive zoological/animal enclosure by incorporating the theme of fantasy (any story pertaining to magic, mythology, or the supernatural) for a given area at the San Diego Zoo.

Teams will be allowed to choose the species for their enclosure from a provided list. Using the care manual of the chosen species, the enclosure must be designed to be safe for guests and meet the ethical standards for animal care and enrichment.

Full Prompt

The 2025 Challenge

Team Rules

Important Dates

Teams may consist of 1 to 4 members
Students of all academic standings are eligible & welcome
All majors and disciplines are eligible & welcome
Members must be currently enrolled or a recent graduate student from one of the invited competition institutions

Monday, January 13, 2025: Registration Opens
Friday, January 31, 2025: Registration Closes
Sunday, March 9, 2024: All competition deliverables are due by 11:59 PM PST

Invited Institutions

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
California Polytechnic State University, Pomona
California Polytechnic State University, Humboldt
University of California, San Diego
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Davis
University of Southern California
California State University, Long Beach
California State University, Northridge
CalArts

If your university is not included in this list, but wish to participate, please contact caped@calpoly.edu for a possible exemption.

My university/institution isn't on the invited institution list. How can I participate and get an exemption?

Due to a limited number of judges, we are limited to the amount of entries we are able to take in. Please contact caped@calpoly.edu for a possible exemption for your team.

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Is each university/institution limited to one team?

No! Each university/institution can have multiple qualifying teams register.

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Do I need to be studying architecture to participate?

No! All majors and disciplines are welcome to participate.

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How does the competition team registration process look like?

Teams will be able to access our Parkitecture online registration form. The form requires inputting basic team member information and agreeing to our competition terms and conditions. Registering your team is free and only one team member needs to submit.

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How will I know if I am registered?

Registered teams can expect to receive an email from us when their team successfully is registered and accounted for.

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How can I help with judging the competition?

Thank you for your interest! Any additional architecture professionals or companies who would like to take part in the judging of this competition can contact us at caped@calpoly.edu and we will get back to you!

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Frequently Asked Questions

All listed Parkitecture competition dates and times are classified under the Pacific Standard Time (PST) timezone. All featured logos and descriptions are owned by their respective companies and entities.

If you have any Parkitecture questions or concerns, please email us at caped@calpoly.edu and we will get back to you at our earliest convenience.