OFF GRID FARM

by Samana Group
Architectural competition
for sustainable farm in the Dominican Republic

1
Table of contents
Introduction
• The Dominican Republic and its challenges 4
• The Competition Site 5
• Off-grid farming 6
• Samana Group 7

The Competition
• Design challenge 8
• Objectives 9
• The competition site/location 10
• Program 11
• Registration & submission requirements 12
• Participants are asked to upload 13
• Schedule & Fees 14
• Evaluation Criteria 15
• Prizes 16
• Rules and Procedures 17

2
Introduction
In today’s busy world everyone falls for the allure vision of drop-
ping everything and escaping to a remote paradise. Such day-
dreaming is usually followed with a fall back to reality as we
tend to find comfort in the known and predictable. But what if
we could have both, without the need to compromise one or the
other?

Samaná, an enchanting peninsula in the Dominican Republic,

combines wild beaches and whale watching with a diverse cos-
mopolitan scene. What was once a hiding spot for pirates be-
came a haven for tourists who fell so much in love with what
they saw that they decided to stay for good, expanding the cul-
tural heritage of the area.

The OFF GRID FARM Architectural Competition by Samana Group

invites participants to conceptualize and design innovative off-
grid farming solutions that encompass the company’s holistic
and sustainable approach to living that values self-reliance and
minimal environmental impact.

3
The Dominican Republic
and its challenges
The Dominican Republic is the second largest country in the Car-
ibbean and one of its most diverse island countries rich in histo-
ry, culture and the natural environment. Given the challenges of
an island country, the Dominican Republic has been successful
in investing in its infrastructure while promoting trade and tour-
ism to become the most visited country in the region. Combining
the hospitality of the Dominican people, the vibrant and histor-
ical capital of Santo Domingo, world-famous beaches and four
major mountain ranges, the Dominican Republic is an exciting
and progressive country for both business and leisure.

However, due to its location, the country faces various chal-

lenges, particularly in remote areas like the Samana Peninsula.
Lack of access to essential utilities such as electricity and water,
coupled with limited agricultural infrastructure, underscores the
pressing need for innovative solutions to foster sustainable de-
velopment and improve livelihoods.

4
The Competition Site
Situated amidst the pristine landscapes of the Samana Peninsula, the competition
site offers a blank canvas for participants to unleash their creativity and ingenuity.
Participants are encouraged to explore the unique characteristics of the region, lev-
eraging its natural resources and cultural heritage to inform their design proposals.
By immersing themselves in the local context, participants can devise solutions that
resonate with the needs and aspirations of the community while addressing the
overarching objectives of the competition.

The fertile lands of the Samana Peninsula present an auspicious environment for
diverse agricultural endeavors. Within this region, a varied selection of crops finds
favorable conditions for cultivation. Among these, mangoes and avocados flourish,
prized for their delectable taste and nutritional value. Additionally, the temperate
climate and fertile soil support the growth of staple vegetables such as tomatoes,
lettuce, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and zucchinis. Furthermore, the warm tropical
climate lends itself to the successful cultivation of melons, watermelons, and citrus
fruits like limes. Bananas and plantains also thrive in these conditions, offering fur-
ther diversity to the agricultural landscape. Through the cultivation of these crops,
farmers in the Samana Peninsula can harness the natural resources of the land to
yield a bounty of fresh produce, contributing to both local sustenance and economic
prosperity in a manner befitting the region’s rich agricultural heritage.

The Peninsula offers an array of materials for building endeavors – from local wood,
cane leaves for roofing, bricks and stone sourced from the surrounding area, to the
exquisite finishes provided by marble and coral stone. Prioritizing the utilization of
these indigenous materials, not only fosters a symbiotic relationship with the com-
munity but also champions sustainability and minimizes environmental impact.

5
Off-grid farming
Off grid farming represents a pioneering approach to agricultural
production, emphasizing self-reliance and minimal environmen-
tal impact. By harnessing renewable energy sources and imple-
menting efficient water management systems, off-grid farms can
thrive even in the most remote locations, offering a blueprint for
sustainable living and community resilience.

6
Samana Group
Samana Group is a real estate services company and landowner
in the Samana Peninsula. The projects stand out by addressing
3 typical issues for development in exotic tourism destinations:
lack of urban master planning, no lifestyle design and low qual-
ity of infrastructure. The uniqueness of our approach lies in the
focus on affordable luxury and sustainability, while providing the
experience of living in an untouched nature environment.

7
The competition Design challenge
The design challenge of the OFF GRID FARM competition by Sa-
mana Group revolves around conceptualizing and realizing an
off-grid farm that transcends conventional norms. Participants
are tasked with creating a self-sustaining farming ecosystem
that integrates renewable energy sources, innovative water man-
agement techniques, and sustainable agricultural practices to
ensure long-term viability and resilience. Emphasizing commu-
nity resilience and environmental stewardship, the competition
encourages the use of local materials and promotes economic
development while supporting a transition towards sustainable
living. By pioneering solutions that address the unique challeng-
es of remote living, participants have the opportunity to shape a
more resilient and sustainable future for the Samana Peninsula
and beyond.

This architecture competition is exclusively for architecture stu-

dents and young architects, and seeks to design a pioneering,
self-sufficient farming and addresses the challenges that Sama-
na faces nowadays (limited access to electricity, water scarcity,
and agricultural constraints).

8
Objectives
The objectives of the competition encompass multiple facets,
including but not limited to:

• Establishing a self-sustaining farming enterprise capable of

meeting the needs of a family living off-grid.

• Demonstrating innovative solutions for renewable energy gen-

eration, water harvesting, and waste management.

• Promoting the utilization of local materials and fostering com-

munity engagement to support economic development and
environmental conservation efforts.

9
The competition site/location Road Access: Asphalt road up to 2.0 km before
the settlement
Location: LOMA ATRAVESADA, LAS GALERAS, SAMANA, Closest access to drinking water: Loma Atravesada
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 2.2 km
Surface of the land: 296,061.25 m2
Maximum altitude above sea level: 470.69 m Beach access: EL VALLE BEACH 1,200 m (The road is
Minimum altitude at the property: 296.96 m impassable, available only to pedestrians.)
Altitude amplitude (difference): 173.73 m
Distance from Samana City: 28.1 km Each participant of the competition will receive access
Distance from Loma Atravesad: 2.2 km to DWG and KML files characterizing the plot, as well as
Distance from Las Galeras: 16.3 km photos showing the plot and its immediate context. Ac-
Land Shape: IRREGULAR cess to the files will be possible from the participant’s
Harvested in the area: YAMS, PLANTAINS panel after logging in.
(COOKING BANANA), YAUTIA ROOTS, GINGER,
RULO BANANAS, GUINEO BANANAS, SWEET POTATOES

10
Program 4. Garage or covered area for vehicles and equipment:
• offers shelter and protection,
1. Main house: • space for parking 2 cars and additional covered are-
• between 200 & 400 square meters, as for storage,
• focal point of the ranch, • promoting organization and functionality,
• containing minimum 3 bedrooms + outdoor living • with storage space for tools and equipment,
spaces with swimming pool, • ensuring easy access and maintenance, enhancing
• embracing natural surroundings. the efficiency of ranch operations.

2. Guest house: 5. Accommodation for staff/workers:

• around 60 square meters, • providing comfortable living quarters for ranch staff
• adjacent to the main residence, and their families
• featuring a minimum of 2 bedrooms, cozy common • including 2 apartments or small houses with a total
area comprising kitchen, comfortable living space of 4 bedrooms,
and dining area, • each unit equipped with essential amenities (bed-
• providing comfortable accommodations for visitors rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, living space, and dining
or additional residents. area) along with a private outdoor space or patio.

3. Storage house or barn: The task is to design a farm that is multifunctional,

• multi-functional and versatile space, catering to the self-sufficient. It is required to provide solutions that
diverse needs of ranch operations (storing equip- will be beneficial to individual residents, community
ment, tools, and supplies, accommodating feed stor- and the local area as well.
age, tack rooms, and workshops),
• providing essential support for daily tasks,
• designed with accessibility in mind, facilitating the
movement of vehicles and machinery and ensuring
efficiency in ranch operations.

11
Registration & submission
requirements
The registration and submission is possible only via sandbox.archi website. No other
mode will be accepted.

Registration
The registration of the entry is possible only upon paying the registration fee. Once
the payment has been processed, the participant will receive the confirmation e-mail
with the registration number that has to be included on all submission panels in the
bottom right corner.

Each participant can submit more than one project but each project has to be regis-
tered separately by paying additional registration fees.

The registration fee is non-refundable. Therefore, should a participant or team change

their mind, refuse or fail to submit an entry after registering, the registration amount
will not be refunded.

By registering for this competition, you are automatically agreeing to the terms and
conditions of sandbox.archi.

Submission
All final sheets submitted must not include your name or any other mark of identi-
fication. This is an anonymous competition and the registration number is the only
means of identification, therefore the registration number must be included on all
competition sheets.
All submissions must be the original work of the participants. The visual materials
of the submission must not have been previously published by the participant or the
members of participant teams.

12
Participants are asked to upload
1. 2x A1 landscape or portrait orientated presentation boards.
• The size of each board cannot exceed 10 mb.
• The delivery format is JPEG.
• The project boards must include:
• master plan – presenting the orientation of the buildings and location of the
farming area
• at least 2 plans of the upper floors that are the best representation of the
concept
• at least 1 cross-section;
• diagrams explaining the concept and function distributions
• sketches/renderings;
• at least two outside visualizations/perspective drawings;
• all additional drawings that will help to understand the idea behind the pro-
ject;
• any additional text description of drawings for better understanding
• Nevertheless, the concept should be mainly represented in a graphical way.

2. Cover picture of the project (JPEG file 1000x1000 px) with the size not exceeding
5 mb.

3. Text description in 200–500 words in .txt or .doc format.

13
Schedule & Fees
Early Birds Registration March 25 – April 28 99$ | students 79*

Regular Registration April 29 – May 26 129$ | students 99*

Late Registration May 27 – July 7 139$ | students 129*

Submission Deadline | July 7

Final Announcement | July 22
Results Announcement | August 26

If you would like to take part in the competition as a group (more than 3 registrations
from one university/school) please contact us to receive a group discount along with
further information. The request must be sent from the official university email ad-
dress as only recognized university staff can apply for the discount.

Please include basic information about yourself, participants and the school so that we
can offer additional support for getting your students involved in architecture compe-
titions.

14
Evaluation Criteria
Innovation
The designed buildings are supposed to search for new solutions in structural systems,
technology and/or functional programs.

Relevance
The proposed solutions should face the existing and the most urgent problems defined
by the participants.

Coherence
The participants are supposed to take into consideration the nature and sociological
context. The design needs to be coherent with the existing surrounding.

Sustainability and efficiency

The building is required to be sustainable and zero-energy consuming. The chosen
solutions need to contribute to the wellbeing of local residents.

Use and knowledge of local resources

The proposed solutions should make maximum use of the potential of local materials,
while maintaining high aesthetics as well as an alignment with ecological solutions.

Aesthetic values
The farm is supposed to bring an additional value to the panorama and its general
appearance.

15
 Prizes

1st prize 2nd prize 3rd prize

3,000$ 2,000$ 1,000$

• winning certificate, publication in • 2nd place certificate, publication • 3rd place certificate, publication
social media, in social media, in social media,
• promotional materials published • promotional materials published • promotional materials published
on sandbox.archi website on sandbox.archi website on sandbox.archi website
• a copy of Architecture • a copy of Architecture • a copy of Architecture
Competitions Yearbook Competitions Yearbook Competitions Yearbook

7 Honorable mentions: Honorable mention 7-day stay for 2 persons (1 room) at the Hacienda Cocuyo in Monte
certificates, publication Rojo, Dominican Republic including breakfast, concierge VIP and
airport transfer (flight not included)
20 finalists: Finalists certificates, publication
Projects announced in the final 20 will be Choice award/Audience award
additionally published on the Samana Group The prize will be awarded to the project that collects the highest
Website and the Group’s listings. number of votes through the Samana Group website.
Prize Details: 7-day stay for 2 persons (1 room) at the Hacienda
Special awards Cocuyo in Monte Rojo, Dominican Republic including breakfast,
Samana Group Award concierge VIP and airport transfer (flight not included) prize to be
The Samana Group Construction team will collected within 12 months from the prize announcement
select one project to be developed at the site.
Prize Details: opportunity to work with Sama- All awards will be followed with publications on social media platforms and the website of the
competition. The interviews with the winners will be promoted on competitions.archi and different
na Group on project development architectural platforms. All participants will receive a Participation e-Certificate.

16
Rules and Procedures
Eligibility
• The minimum eligible age for participation is 18 years.
• The competition is open worldwide for young designers and students under the age of 35.
• A student is someone who is currently enrolled in a full-time graduate/undergraduate program at a university anywhere in the world on the date of
registration. In order to confirm student status, the participant(s) will be asked to present a valid student ID or a document issued by the school.
• Students have the right to pay reduced entry fees. If the submission is done by a team, all members have to be students to qualify for the reduced entry
fee.
• Design proposals can be developed individually or by teams (4 team members maximum). The team member list must be finalized until the last day of
registration.
• Sandbox.archi employees, their associates and immediate family members or household members are not eligible to participate or receive awards in
competitions hosted on sandbox.archi. That includes currently working employees, jury members, community moderators or contract agencies, and their
direct relatives. Immediate family includes spouses, parents, step-parents, siblings and step-siblings, children and step-children. Household members
include all people who share the same residence at least three months of the year.

Copyrights
The participants confirm that the submission does not infringe any copyright, rights related to trademarks, trade secrets, designs or patents of any third
party.
The participants shall be ready to supply copyright licenses for images used if requested by the organizer. A failure to supply such licenses may be grounds
for disqualification.
By registering for the competition, the participants acknowledge and agree that all aspects of the submission (including, but not limited to narratives,
descriptions, details, images, illustrations, photographs, and animations and names and images of the participants) may be used by the organizer or sponsors
for publicity purposes.
The participants agree to participate in the promotional activities and the publicity arrangements for the competition. The organizer is authorized to use any
and all statements made by the participants in connection with the competition without additional approval.
The organizer reserves the right to undertake promotional activities and/or publicity arrangements through the website or other channels, as well as to
discontinue any of its activities and/or arrangements at any time.

The Competition Brief is an integral part of the “Samana Group OFF GRID FARM” Competition Terms and Conditions published on
https://sandbox.archi/competition-terms-conditions/

17