Historic New England
Gropius House Architectural Design Competition
Terms and Conditions:
1. Eligibility
The competition is open to individuals or teams meeting the eligibility requirements stated in the official Competition Brief. Employees, board members, and affiliates of Historic New England (“HNE”), as well as members of the competition jury and their immediate family members, are not eligible to participate.
2. Entry Requirements
All entries must follow the instructions, formats, and deadlines described in the Competition Brief. Late, incomplete, or nonconforming entries may be disqualified at HNE’s discretion. Entrants are solely responsible for ensuring timely and complete submission.
3. Right to Reject Entries
HNE reserves the right to reject any or all submissions, in its sole discretion and for any lawful reason, consistent with the objectives of the competition. HNE is not obligated to provide an explanation for rejection.
4. Original Work and Intellectual Property
For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions, a “submission” means the competition design submission, including any drafts, designs, specifications, drawings, renderings, models, plans, or other materials submitted by an entrant (including any team member) in connection therewith, in digital or physical form.
Each entrant (and, in the case of a team, each team member) represents and warrants that: (a) the submission and any related materials provided to HNE is such entrant’s or team member’s original work and created solely by such entrant or team member; (b) no portion of the submission or any related materials provided to HNE infringes or misappropriates any copyright, trademark, trade secret, or other intellectual, proprietary, or personal right of any third party; (c) all persons who have contributed to the submission have been accurately identified as an entrant or team member and have consented to submission to the competition and grant of rights to HNE, its successors, assigns, affiliates, licensees, and sublicensees, as set forth in these Terms and Conditions; (d) each entrant or team member is of the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence, and is legally competent to agree to and comply with these Terms and Conditions and Competition Brief; and (e) each entrant or team member, has full power and authority to enter the competition and to grant the rights and licenses set out in these Terms and Conditions without requiring the consent of any other person or entity. Submissions must not include any third-party material unless the entrant has obtained all necessary permissions (including permissions for HNE to use, reproduce, display, edit, modify, adapt, publish, exhibit, distribute, and create derivative works from such material in perpetuity, as set out in these Terms and Conditions). Unauthorized use of copyrighted or proprietary material will result in disqualification and may subject the entrant to legal action or other remedies available to HNE under applicable law.
Each entrant (whether as an individual or as a team) shall retain ownership of all intellectual property rights in the underlying design concepts in the submission. However, by entering the competition or submitting an entry, each entrant grants to HNE, its affiliates, licensees, sublicensees, and assigns, a non-exclusive, perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, fully-sublicensable and transferable license to use, reproduce, display, edit, modify, adapt, publish, exhibit, distribute, and creative derivative works from their submission (in whole or in part) for any purpose related to the competition or HNE’s mission, organizational purposes or activities, including but not limited to any educational, exhibition, promotional, marketing, archival, or implementation, remodeling, or construction of a room based (in whole or in part) on the submission, in any media now known or later developed. This license includes the right to adapt materials for use in such contexts.
Each entrant and, where applicable, each team member, agrees that HNE may use their submission as well as their name, image, likeness, and biographical information, and any materials created by or on behalf of HNE that incorporate any of the foregoing, in connection with any permitted use of their submission under these Terms and Conditions, in each case without additional compensation, approval, or notice, except where prohibited by law.
5. Ownership of Submitted Materials
Entrant acknowledges that all physical submission components and materials (including drawings, samples, printed boards, renderings, and models) will become the property of HNE upon receipt and will not be returned.
Digital submissions remain the property of the entrant, subject to the license granted above. For the avoidance of doubt, HNE may retain digital copies for archival purposes, documentation, or any other permitted use or purpose under these Terms and Conditions.
6. Jury and Awards
Entries will be evaluated by an independent jury appointed by HNE. The jury’s decisions are final and binding. HNE reserves the right not to select a winner or to modify the award structure if, in its judgment, such action is appropriate.
Awards will be granted as stated in the Competition Brief. Any monetary prizes are subject to applicable taxes, reporting, and documentation requirements. Winners are solely responsible for payment of all federal, state, and local taxes.
HNE is under no obligation to use, display, implement, or otherwise exploit any submission, whether or not it is selected as the winner.
7. Competition Modifications or Cancellation
HNE reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the competition at any time if, in its judgment, such action is necessary or appropriate. In such event, HNE will provide notice to entrants using the contact information provided at registration. HNE will not be responsible for any costs incurred in connection with canceled or modified competition activities.
8. Entrant Costs
Entrants are solely responsible for all costs incurred in the preparation, development, and submission of their entries, including but not limited to materials, labor, printing, shipping, travel, and digital submission expenses. HNE will not reimburse or cover any participant costs under any circumstances.
9. Publicity and Confidentiality
By submitting an entry, entrants acknowledge and consent to the public display, exhibition, and discussion of their work during and after the competition.
While HNE will take reasonable care with submitted materials, it cannot guarantee confidentiality. Entrants should not submit proprietary or confidential information.
10. Liability and Indemnification
Participation is voluntary and at the entrant’s own risk. HNE, its officers, trustees, employees, agents, and representatives shall not be liable for any damages, losses, or claims arising out of participation in the competition.
Entrants (including all team members) agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless HNE and its affiliates from any claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to (a) their participation in the competition, (b) their submission, (c) their breach of these Terms and Conditions or the Competition Brief; or their breach of any representations and warranties in these Terms and Conditions.
11. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles.
Any disputes arising under or in connection with the competition shall be resolved exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, and entrants consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts.
12. Acceptance of Terms
Submission of an entry constitutes full and unconditional acceptance of these Terms and Conditions and the Competition Brief. Entrants acknowledge that these Terms form a binding agreement between the entrant and Historic New England.