The Cemintel 9Dots Awards 2014 are open for entries, inviting architects, building designers, specifiers and students to design an innovative multi-residential building in a high density area.

Now in its third year, the competition brief aims to ‘break free from convention’, tasking participants to reimagine architectural possibilities and redefine the typological ideas of the tight, urban block using creative Cemintel solutions.

This year’s prize is bigger than last year, and offers the winner an all-expenses paid, 17-day architectural study tour of Japan and China valued at $16,000. Student prize award winners will receive $2000 towards their study tuition, and a highly commended award of a $500 cash prize.

“9Dots Award 2014 will encourage participants to rethink the culturally ingrained ‘quarter acre block’ and formulate how it can be adapted to solve a range of issues around affordable housing, dwelling size, infill development and, most significantly, density,” says Cemintel general manager, Drew Spiden.

“Imaginative infill projects in cities such as Tokyo demonstrate that smaller and varied housing does not have to compromise quality spaces and living amenity. Spaces that are flexible, multi-use, and embrace overlaps in public and private zones can initiate a new take on the housing typology, promoting a future housing model.”

The 9Dots 2013 winner, Johannes Lupolo-Chan, won a 17-day tour across the USA with his practical urban dwelling design, the 10x10 The Laneway House – a proposed typology for new laneway housing in Perth’s inner city suburbs. Read about his experience of the US architecture tour here.

Lupolo-Chan at Philip Johnson’s Glass House, New Haven, Connecticut

Entries for both the professional and student categories in this year’s program must incorporate the creative range of Cemintel products, including its Designer Series, Barestone, Edge Vertical Cladding and Expresswall ranges.

Judges will be announced shortly, and entries will close on 28 August 2014. For the competition brief, full terms and conditions, or to register, please visit http://www.cemintel9dots.com.au/.