Request For Information

Q: Should the proposed design respect the wetland buffers noted in the existing conditions plan? The existing garage is within this buffer. Also, are there rules around excavating within this buffer, including tests that need to be completed?

A: Historic New England has engaged with permitting authorities regarding wetland buffers and would likely pursue a waiver for the design of a new structure. For the purposes of this competition, a proposed structure may be located within these buffer areas.

Q: Will the new bathroom connect to the existing septic system, or should a new system be considered?

A: New bathrooms would tie into the existing septic system, which has excess capacity. The system consists of a septic tank and leach field.

Q: May higher-resolution site photos be provided, particularly the image showing both the garage and the house?

A: Higher-resolution photographs of the garage, driveway, and house are now available in the Resources section of www.gropiuscompetition.info under “Select Photographs.”

Q: May one person submit multiple entries?

A: Yes. One person may submit multiple entries and may also be part of multiple teams.

Q: Is it possible to add team members later without re-registering? Is there a limit to the number of team members?

A: There is no simple way to add team members to an existing registration. Additional members may submit a new registration and identify themselves as “added members of team ___.” There is no limit to the number of members on a given team.

Q: For individual designers without a firm or team, should the “Team/Lead Firm Name” be the participant’s name or a team name?

A: Individual designers may use their own name as the team name or choose an alias.

Q: The brief states a requirement for two toilets and two wash stations. Can participants propose alternative configurations or additional fixtures? Are toilet rooms gendered?

A: The program requires two toilets and two sinks. Provided the bathroom is accessible and gender-neutral, Historic New England is open to a range of configurations, including two single-stall restrooms each with a toilet and sink, or a single restroom with two sinks and two adjacent water closets.

Q: If the visitor center and restroom are designed as independent of the existing garage, must a new use for the garage be proposed?

A: No. If the garage is not incorporated, it will simply revert to its original use.

Q: Are there limitations on building size, land coverage, or number of fixtures?

A: The size of the new building and land coverage are at the discretion of the designer, noting the general area allocated to the competition.

Q: What additions, alterations, or material changes are permitted to the existing garage? Are any elements protected?

A: The competition does not have defined limitations beyond maintaining the garage’s key architectural characteristics. While exterior materials, the clerestory window, garage doors, and the garage door overhang are likely defining features, and thus to a certain extent protected by both local and state preservation agencies, modifications to these features is at the discretion of the designer, who should justify design decisions in their narrative.

Q: Are there legal preservation covenants or easements affecting the garage?

A: Execution of a final design will require compliance with relevant local and state regulations, including building codes, zoning regulations, etc. The Gropius House is a contributing property to the Lincoln Historic District, subject to review by a Town of Lincoln Historical Commission. It is also subject to a Preservation Restriction Agreement (preservation easement) by the Massachusetts Historical Commission.

Historic New England encourages thoughtful, inventive design concepts that reflect the spirit of the Bauhaus. For the purposes of this competition, proposals should consider the competition goals, and Historic New England may pursue necessary regulatory approvals in the future as needed.

Q: Is connection to a municipal sewer permitted? If not, what alternatives apply?

A: There is no municipal sewer system at the site. See prior responses regarding the septic system.

Q: Are there setback requirements?

A: Setback requirements apply under Town of Lincoln zoning bylaws. For the competition, respondents may propose the optimal solutions, and Historic New England may pursue zoning waivers if needed.

Q: Do new public restrooms trigger special health or code requirements?

A: No special requirements beyond those typical for a restroom at a house museum are anticipated.

Q: May designs extend beyond the orange-highlighted competition area if adjacent to the garage?

A: Designs may be located within the general vicinity of the orange-highlighted competition area, provided they are east of the driveway. Designs west of the driveway, which are generally discouraged, must not disturb the existing viewshed of the main house.

Q: Are submissions digital only, and may a single PDF include multiple pages?

A: All submissions are digital only and must be provided as a single, multi-page PDF sized to Arch D (24″ × 36″). Elevations and sections may be included on the same page. Sheet size for the cover sheet and narrative is at the discretion of the participant.

Q: Is the competition free? Who may participate? Is there a registration deadline?

A: The competition is free and open to all, regardless of profession, nationality, or age. There is no registration deadline, though early registration is encouraged in order to receive email updates.

Q: Where can the shared folder be found?

A: All “shared folder” materials are located on the Resources page at www.gropiuscompetition.info.

Q: What equipment is located next to the fridge in the visitor center?

A: It is an air-conditioning unit vented through the window.

Q: Must drawings use imperial units, or may metric be used?

A: Either imperial or metric units may be used, provided the unit type is noted. All pages within PDFs must be sized to Arch D.

Q: Must submissions conform to Lincoln zoning bylaws?

A: For competition purposes, designs may deviate from zoning ordinances. Zoning waivers may be pursued if a design advances.

Q: Are there construction cost limits, or may designs be exploratory?

A: Designs may be submitted without cost constraints, though constructability is encouraged.

Q: Is it possible to visit the site outside the scheduled site walk?

A: Visitors may tour the grounds independently during open hours. See the Gropius House website for availability. Virtual tours are also available within the “resource” section of www.gropiuscompetition.info.

Q: Are CAD files of the garage available?

A: CAD floor plans of the garage have now been added to the Resources section of www.gropiuscompetition.info.

Q: What are typical visitor numbers and events?

A: The site averages 7,500–9,000 visitors annually (60–70 per open day). A range of events and partnerships occur throughout the year; activities are scheduled rather than pop-up in nature.

Q: Are electrical and heating systems available?

A: Assume existing electrical feeder capacity is sufficient to serve additional buildings, and heating is required as the site is open year-round.

Q: How are maintenance and storage handled?

A: Limited storage exists near the main house. Grounds are maintained by two staff and a subcontractor. Winter maintenance supplies are stored near the back patio of the house.

Q: What does “Request for Information” mean?

A: Requests for information (RFIs) are questions about the competition.

Q: How is visitor parking organized, and may future parking be proposed?

A: Parking is accommodated across several areas, including the gravel area near the garage, and its adjacent meadow, with expanded capacity further into the meadow during events. Proposals may address parking and wayfinding as part of a broader design concept, but this work is not required.

Q: Does submitting an RFI require submission of design materials? Is there a registration deadline?

A: No. The RFI process is separate from registration and final submission. There is no registration deadline—participants may register up until the point of the submission deadline. Registration, however, ensures that all competition correspondence from HNE will be received by the participant.

Q: Is the site walk on January 5 or January 6?

A: The optional site walk will take place on Monday, January 5^th at 11:00 AM at Gropius House located at 68 Baker Bridge Road, Lincoln, MA. We kindly ask that individuals who plan to attend please RSVP using the “contact us” form at www.gropiuscompetition.info so that HNE can plan for an approximate headcount. Tours of Gropius House will be available after the site walk.

Q: Does the requirement for five drawings mean five separate Arch D boards?

A: At least five distinct pages are required within the submitted PDF so that each drawing type has its own page (site plan, floor plans, building sections, site section, and at least one rendering). A separate cover page and project narrative page are also required. Additional pages may be included at the team’s discretion. Sections and elevations may be included on the same boards. We reiterate that team names should only be included in the cover pages and not on the narrative nor drawings.

Q: Are there word count or language requirements for a given team’s submission narrative?

A: There is no word count requirement for narratives, but they must be provided in English.