Announcement of the competition
Promoters
Telecom Italia, Global Service Partner of Expo Milano 2015
Editoriale Domus SpA, through its monthly review of architecture, design and art: Domus
Sponsor
Expo Milano 2015
1) Technology to be used
The ideas entered must use at least one of Telecom Italia’s technological/digital components:
a) La Nuvola Italiana (Cloud Computing)
b) Near Field Communication (NFC)
La Nuvola Italiana (Cloud Computing) uses the Internet to make available a range of information-technology resources: applications, platforms and software. This system allows companies both private and public to use innovative technologies without acquiring specific internal information-technology infrastructure, which provides significant advantages in terms of costs and services. The resources can be managed individually, by means of a private network, in a scalable way, with fees based solely on use.
La Near Field Communication (NFC) works via radio frequency and enables the swift and secure exchange of information between two nearby devices. NFC is used with a mobile telephone SIM card (SIM-based NFC) and allows the user to input subject identification and application data directly into the card itself, transforming the mobile into an intelligent identification device. Updating applications from the mobile network can be managed online, increasing the security of the identification and the effectiveness of the device linked to the network; the interaction between service operator and user takes place in real time. Applications can be activated simply by bringing the mobile into proximity with a “target” NFC.
Some examples of applications:
− Payments, by integrating credit card and electronic money.
− Ticketing, by registering subscriptions and prepaid tickets.
− Gate and access control through the identification of the device’s owner.
− Management of electronic identity.
− Access to kiosk information (e.g. train and airline schedules and health-care appointments).
2) Types of service
The competition entries should belong to these services:
a) Smart City
b) Mobile Applications
c) Digital Home & Office + Smart School
Smart City: the program refers to the reorganisation of street furniture into “Digital Islands” and aims to create an opportunity to improve the quality of city living, guarantee balanced and sustainable development, and offer services to citizens and public bodies. Digital Islands represent “service stations” that supply technological services such as recharging and paying for mobile devices, info tourism, info mobility, info commerce (e.g. on the shopping streets), civic registry services (e.g. e-government) and video surveillance services (e.g. SOS columns). The Digital Islands are conceived as “open containers” for apps and advanced services, and as allowing:
− Public bodies to offer citizens innovative services (e.g. e-government and regional service cards) and to provide useful information and multimedia content (e.g. on transport, events, exhibitions and tourist routes) and reports (e.g. on traffic jams and weather alerts).
− Companies and utilities to distribute their services, reducing costs and timeframes for the design, installation and management of digital platforms.
− Citizens and tourists to discover services relating to the area, starting from the Digital Islands and continuing via the use of their mobile device.
− Citizens and tourists to benefit from an extension of the functionality of their mobile device by offering services such as the recharging of electric vehicles and the printing of tickets and receipts.
Mobile Applications: Expo Milan 2015 aims to create an event experience that is totally innovative, where digital technology gives the type of access to contents and services that is comparable to physical immersion. A first prototype of the Smart City App, developed by Telecom Italia, uses innovative technology (Augmented Reality and Visual Search) with models of visual communication (Urban Painting). This application-prototype is open to integration and proposals, via mobile devices, for additional digital services linked to Milan and other Italian cities.
Digital Home & Office + Smart School: these are digital services for the monitoring and remote controlling of the home or office, locally or at a distance, and for the computerisation of the school system. Examples include:
− Monitoring utility consumption (electricity, gas and water).
− Energy management: managing home energy consumption (standby, overload, optimising daily bands).
− Connected appliances: monitoring use and consumption and managing appliances remotely.
− Comfort & Security: monitoring the environment remotely using sensors and anti-intrusion devices to increase security.
− E-Health/Wellness and Ambient Assisted Living: remote monitoring of individuals who need help, or as a preventative measure.
− Multimedia teaching content.
− Networking of school buildings.
3) Participation requirements
The competition is aimed at professionals and students (over 18) working in the world of design—understood in a broad sense—and architecture. Individuals, groups and studios can all take part. Only new projects (i.e. not yet published, realised or in prototype phase) will be accepted for the competition. Copyright of the designs will remain with the creators, but Telecom Italia and Expo Milano 2015 have the right freely to use text, renderings and images relating to the designs in publications, exhibitions or in any other means of dissemination.
4) Promotion of the competition
The competition will be promoted by Domus and run through www.domusweb.it.
The competition will also be promoted among trade associations (design, architecture and similar), cultural organisations, universities and design and architecture academies.
5) Prizes
There will be a first, second and third prize. First prize will receive 6,000 Euros, second 4,000 Euros and third 2,000 Euros. The prizes set out above are to be considered as compensation for work rendered and Telecom Italia and Expo Milan 2015, at their sole discretion, may create a prototype or 1:1 model of the entry awarded the first prize and/or nominated projects; a specific agreement for the acquisition of the development rights in the winning projects will be drawn up. The ownership of the prototypes will remain with Telecom Italia and Expo Milan 2015.
6) Technical committee
Domus editorial office
7) Jury
The jury awarding the prizes will meet on 2 October 2013 and will be composed as follows:
− Nicola Di Battista
− Joseph Grima
− Marco Patuano
− Carlo Ratti
− Franco Regis
− Italo Rota
− Giuseppe Sala
8) Judging criteria
Each project will be evaluated as a whole, paying particular attention to aesthetics, simplicity of use, comfort, relevance to the identified need, and compliance of design with function.
9) Notification of results
The winning designs will be published in Domus and on domusweb.it.
The competition organizing committee reserves the right to carry out supplementary initiatives, such as a publication and/or exhibition of the designs.
Terms and condition of entry
1) Registration and participation in the competition
To enter their designs in the competition, participants must:
− register on www.domusweb.it;
− connect to: “Digital Ideas for Expo City 2015” between 1pm on 05/04/2013 and 6 pm on 30/08/2013;
− complete the online registration form with their personal data;
− upload a file of their design sheets onto the site;
− include a short text on the design;
− authorize the use of their personal data.
Projects must be submitted online through the page “Digital Ideas for Expo City 2015” before the competition closes and following registration on domusweb.it.
2) Material required
4 sheets, A3 format
− conceptual framework: the need that is being addressed, the opportunities that are being identified, and the reference context (references, criteria, etc.);
− product concept: a chart that summarises the product;
− user scenario: description of the product in use;
− product details: construction details, technology and materials, relevant qualities.
The sheets in digital pdf format must be uploaded directly onto the section reserved for the competition at domusweb.it. All the project sheets and charts must be anonymous and will not be returned to the participants.