ARCHITECTURE COMPETITION

OMULI
MUSEUM
OF THE HORSE
COMPETITION CONDITIONS

Partners:
Omuli School
 Contents
3 INTRODUCTION Bee Breeders Architecture Competition Organisers,
in partnership with
4 OMULI SCHOOL
Omuli School,
5 OMULI HISTORY have prepared this document for the
6 THE COMPETITION OMULI MUSEUM OF THE HORSE
OMULI MUSEUM OF THE HORSE architecture competition.

9 BUILDING PROGRAMME
Full Competition Terms & Conditions:
11 THE COMPETITION SITE OMULIMUSEUM.beebreeders.com/terms
17 PRIZES
© Bee Breeders
19 COMPETITION SCHEDULE
Architecture Competition Organisers
20 REGISTRATION FEES hello@beebreeders.com
20 DISCOUNTS FOR ARCHITECTURE STUDENTS beebreeders.com
21 SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
22 RECOMMENDED SUBMISSION CONTENT
23 PRESENTATION DELIVERABLES SET
24 JURY & EVALUATION PROCESS
26 TELL THE WORLD YOUR STORY!
VIDEO AND INTERVIEW
27 ELIGIBILITY
27 COMPETITION DOCUMENTATION
28 MEDIA PARTNERS
Introduction

The Omuli Museum of the Horse competition is tasking

architecture enthusiasts with redesigning and reimagining a
historical school building within the UNESCO-recognised North
Latvia Biosphere Reserve.

The Omuli Primary School, originally built in 1936, is planned

to become a museum to educate visitors about the nature and
history of local horse breeds. The structure will also function as
a guest house and artist-in-residence living and workspace.

Omuli school construction © From the collection of the Valka Local History Museum

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Omuli School opening with the Minister of Justice Hermanis Apsitis © From the collection of the Valka Local History Museum
Omuli School

Built between 1934–1936, the Omuli Primary School was designed

by Voldemārs Bergkinds and was commissioned by president K.
Ulmanis. The two-storey structure was constructed of stock timber
with pargetted bricks, and the interior had a simple and practical
layout. There were no fancy hallways or parquet floors, but the
classrooms were spacious and light with a capacity of 75 students.

The Omuli Primary school has a 785 m2 footprint, while the

surrounding land totals 2.37 hectares. The last student left in 1975,
and since then structure has operated as a post office, an apartment,
and a lastly – a library which was relocated in 2014. The building
remained vacant until it was purchased via blockchain in 2019 by
entrepreneur Eva Cildermane who is dedicated to returning the
school and the entire village to its former beauty.

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Omuli Primary School's graduation. The planting of a memorial oak tree © From the collection of the Valka Local History Museum
Omuli history
The construction of the Omuli Primary School was a source of great
excitement when it first opened in 1936, with the local paper
detailing its inauguration by Minister of Justice Hermanis Apsītis.
Commissioned by the President of Latvia K. Ulmanis in order to offer
better conditions and better addition to the local children, the
school accommodated 75 students until 1954/55 when the 5th, 6th
and 7th grades were discontinued.
Students were sent instead to the Ergeme School which was
7–12 km away, forcing students to either board or walk the distance
every day. Finally, in 1975, the school was closed when the 30
remaining students completed their school year. In fact, the Omuli
farm was also liquidated, creating Lenin's collective farm.
The school building was then used as the Omuli Folk House, the
Omuli library, a post office, and an Omuli branch of a household
service complex, as well as a space of two apartments, before being
devastated by vandalism.
When the residents of Omuli separated from the large Lenin
collective farm in 1988 and re-established the collective farm
"Omuļi", the old school structure was repaired, replacing floors and
installing furnaces. The Omuli Primary School building continued
to operate as a post office, library, office and apartments until 2015
when the municipality sold the building to the local agricultural
holding.
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The competition
Omuli Museum of the Horse
Participants are tasked with presenting both a design and a project
development strategy for the Omuli Museum of the Horse
competition, as there will be three distinct functions of the structure
that will be opened to the public one at a time. Project plans would
need to allow the owners to introduce new functions and develop
the building over time.

The first function to be introduced will be an artists' day workshop,

which will provide a very basic living and working space. The space
will need to facilitate the artists' work and freedom of expression
and allow them to create in whatever medium they prefer. Since the
space is in serious need of renovation, the owner would be happy to
see the impact of the potential artists' stay incorporated into the
building’s future design and merge with its historical aspects.

6
Ceremonial gate for the opening of Omuli School © From the collection of the Valka Local History Museum
The second phase of the development would also centre on
accommodation, as participants will need to extend their designs to
include a safe sleeping space for two artists and a groundskeeper.
The initial accommodation could be designed as a separate
temporary structure if participants see it fit, however, throughout
the next phases of development, the accommodation would
gradually need to provide a more permanent solution and become a
part of the main building. Once completed, the structure should be
able to function as both an artists’ residence and a guest house.

Final designs should provide comfortable sleeping and living

amenities for eight couples plus two artists and one groundskeeper,
in a total of 11 rooms. The third and most important function of the
development would be the Omuli Museum of the Horse. For this key
attraction, participants may suggest a more standard approach –
such as an exhibition hall for the temporary and permanent
exhibition and workshops – or they can propose alternative
strategies. In this case, the exhibition hall need not be as distinctly
separate from the rest of the building; it can possibly be
incorporated into the building’s other functions.

7
Omuli School © From the collection of the Valka Local History Museum
 Each of these services would need to be introduced when relevant
amenities and functions are added. At first there needs to be
minimal facilities such as toilets, showers and perhaps a small
kitchenette. These amenities would need to be expanded as the
capacity and functionality of the building is increased. When fully
completed, the building would need to include: a kitchen that could
be used by daytime staff, a common dining room, a common
living room, en-suite and common showers and toilets, and a
traditional sauna.

The owners of the school ask that participants respect the history
of the building and its general form and materiality. Participants
can decide to restore and retain the school in its original image or
reimagine its structure in a new way. However, the existing building
exterior cannot be demolished, only added to or enhanced. Internal
walls can be demolished, and room layout rearranged if necessary.
The Omuli Museum of the Horse will look to become a regional
example for green building practice. As competition winners will be
put forward for consideration for construction, designs need to
place a strong emphasis on sustainable and cost-effective building
techniques.

8
A classic Omuli Primary School kitchen © From the collection of the Valka Local History Museum
Building
Programme
Participants are recommended to accommodate the following
functions in three building phases:
2nd Phase:
Artists' residence (long-term stay during summer months)

Workshop area/studio minimum 50m2, can be

multiple smaller spaces
1st Phase: Overnight accomodation for 2 artists and a
Event-based, artists' day workshop (no overnight stay) during groundskeeper
summer months
Kitchen

Workshop area/studio minimum 50m2, can be

Toilet, shower
multiple smaller spaces
Small kitchenette able to comfortably host
Storage space
5 people at a time

Toilet, shower

Storage space

9
3rd Phase:
Guest house and Museum of the Horse (operational all year round)

for 8 couples plus 2 artists and 1

Comfortable sleeping and living amenities groundskeeper, for a total of 11
rooms throughout

Kitchen for use by daytime staff

Common dining room

Common living room

En-suite and common showers and toilets

Traditional sauna

public exhibition hall for the temporary

and permanent exhibition and workshops
Omuli Museum of the Horse (at least 50 m2) (alternative museum
layout approaches can be suggested)

Appropriate service areas

The BUILDING PROGRAMME is flexible, open for modifications and

improved development strategies.

10
The competition site
The Omuli School is located within the picturesque North Vidzeme
Biosphere Reserve, 4 kilometres from the Latvia–Estonia border.
The North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve covers 457,600 hectares of
land and 16,750 hectares of sea and is recognized as a protected
territory of international importance within the framework of the
UNESCO program.

There are several nearby historical attractions, such as the twin

cities of Valka–Valga – which branch across the two countries’ border
– and Ergeme medieval castle which served as a powerful fortress to
protect the Livonian Order.

The North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve contains a complete mixture

of terrains and habitats within its borders, including: 53 km of
coastline within the Gulf of Riga, over 60 large lakes that take up over 3 SITE COORDINATES:
@57.883556,25.7411349
hectares, glacially formed hills and rolling plains, sandy
beaches, coastal meadows, and areas of bare rocks. There are also
boreal coniferous and mixed forests; wzetlands; raised bogs and CAD, PDF SITE PLAN AND SECTIONS, AND 3D SKETCHUP MODEL
open bog pools; fens and wet meadows; lakes and rivers; coastal ARE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AT
dunes and littoral zones; and extensive agricultural and OMULIMUSEUM.BEEBREEDERS.COM
urban areas.

11
 OMULI SCHOOL
Link to 3D site model:
http://realitymodels.northeurope.cloudapp.azure.com/rm/Omulu_skola_3mx/App/index.html#%2F

CAD, PDF SITE PLAN

AND SECTIONS,
AND 3D SKETCHUP MODEL
ARE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AT
OMULIMUSEUM.BEEBREEDERS.COM

12
 OMULI SCHOOL
Link to 3D building model:
http://realitymodels.northeurope.cloudapp.azure.com/rm/Omulu_skolas_eka_3mx/App/index.html#%2F

CAD, PDF SITE PLAN AND SECTIONS, AND 3D SKETCHUP MODEL ARE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AT
OMULIMUSEUM.BEEBREEDERS.COM

13
 OMULI SCHOOL
[left] Ground Floor; [right] 1st Floor plans

N^ N^

OMULI SCHOOL
[left] Ground Floor; [right] 1st Floor plans

CAD, PDF SITE PLAN AND SECTIONS, AND 3D SKETCHUP MODEL ARE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AT
OMULIMUSEUM.BEEBREEDERS.COM

14
 OMULI SCHOOL
Interior

ALL BUILDING AND SITE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AT

OMULIMUSEUM.BEEBREEDERS.COM

15
 OMULI SCHOOL
Exterior
ALL BUILDING AND SITE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD AT
OMULIMUSEUM.BEEBREEDERS.COM

16
Prizes
Monetary award 3 winning proposals, 3 special award recipients and 6 honourable mentions will be selected.
Bee Breeders will award a total of 10,000 € in prize money to competition winners as follows:

Total prize fund

10,000 €
1st Prize 2nd Prize 3rd Prize
5,000 € 2,000 € 1,000 €
“Omuli School Favourite” Award ARCHHIVE BOOKS Student Award
1,000 € 500 € Cash prize + 50 € ARCHHIVEBOOKS.com gift card
Bee Breeders Green Award
500 € + 6 honourable mentions
More information about the special awards at OMULIMUSEUM.beebreeders.com

As the current Omuli School owners have expressed an interest in the construction, designs will need to be both in keeping with the look and
purpose of the context, while having the potential to become an iconic landmark in its own right.

17
Prizes
Publications
The winners will get international art and design media coverage
and will be featured on the Bee Breeders website.

A full list of media partners who have committed to present the

competition winners in their publications can be found at
OMULIMUSEUM.beebreeders.com

Certificates
Bee Breeders will acknowledge the outstanding performance of all
winners and honourable mentions with Certificates of Achievement.

18
Competition
schedule
Early Bird Registration Closing date for registration
NOVEMBER 18 – DECEMBER 14 APRIL 23, 2021

Advance Registration
Closing date for submission
DECEMBER 15 – JANUARY 26
MAY 25, 2021 (11.59 p.m. GMT)
Last Minute Registration
JANUARY 27 – APRIL 23 Announcement of the winners
JULY 6, 2021

19
Registration Discounts for
fees architecture
students
Architects, designers,
enthusiasts, and
companies Students*
Bee Breeders architecture competition organisers would like to hear
Early Bird Registration 70 € 60 € from representatives of universities, schools, and colleges offering
architecture/design studies.
Advance Registration 90 € 80 €
Contact us to receive special student rates for group registration
Last Minute Registration 110 € 90 €
(discount applies for 3+ registrations from one university/school), as
well as further information and support to get your students
* See requirements here: involved in architecture competitions.
beebreeders.com/competition-registration-types
Send us a request from your university email address along with
basic information about you and your university/school.

Please note that only recognized university staff can apply for the
reduced student rate.

20
Submission
requirements
• Participants are required to upload up to four (4) A2
landscape-orientated presentation boards (must not exceed
5MB per jpg) with sketches, renderings, plans, sections,
elevations, diagrams, and/or other presentation tools to
explain their proposal.
up to 4 panels
• No video files are accepted.
• All information provided in writing must be in English.
• All submissions must be uploaded via the beebreeders.com
upload panel. Access information and instructions on how to
upload the presentation boards will be issued to participants via
email immediately after successful registration.
• Presentation boards must not indicate any information related to
an individual's/team's identity.
Participants who do not comply with the requirements will be
disqualified without refund.
21
Recommended
submission content
• Visualisations and artist impressions to illustrate how the
proposal fits in with the quality, value, and significance of the
context.
• Concept designs which highlight that all aspects of the design are
of the highest quality and in keeping with the design brief and the
proposed site.
• The main points of proposed plans and sections and multiple
perspectives demonstrating the spatial quality of the structure, as
well as operational needs and accessibility requirements.
• Demonstration of project feasibility in regard to environment,
climate conditions, lifecycle, and responsible use of materials.
• Demonstration of project construction, materials, functions,
management and maintenance; approach to environment and
sustainability.

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Presentation
deliverables set
• Urban plan (suggested scale 1:500 or 1:1000) • Diagrams:
• Elevations (suggested scale 1:50) • Circulation
• Primary sections (suggested scale 1:50) • Public versus private space

• Primary floor plans (suggested scale 1:50) • Lighting

• Enlarged sections and elevations highlighting key spaces or • Landscaping

relationships (suggested scale 1:10) • Transportation

• Details (suggested scale 1:5): • Energy systems

• Envelope • Cityscapes/urban relationships

• Key materials • Perspectives:

• Primary interior spaces
• Site or landscape
• Primary site locations
• Axonometry providing information on building systems or
illustrating key architectural concept

Please note the PRESENTATION DELIVERABLES SET listed above is a

suggestion only. Participants can choose to use the entire list, a
selection from it, or propose a completely different set that would
explain their design in the most efficient manner.

23
Jury & evaluation
process
Jury
The competition jury consists of two jury panels: Participants are advised to research both the working site and
• Core jury panel previous similar case studies as part of the design process.
• Consultative jury panel
OMULI MUSEUM OF THE HORSE is a project competition, which
Full jury panel members list is published at encourages participants to experiment with the limits of
OMULIMUSEUM.beebreeders.com. architecture. The jury may choose to reward projects that show a
high degree of creativity, even if they breach any of the rules, as long
The core and consultative jury panels will be responsible for setting as it’s justified.
the criteria that participants need to fulfil, based on the site and
brief, and will evaluate each submission accordingly.

24
Evaluation process
Selecting top 3 winners: ARCHHIVE BOOKS Student Award:

Step 1: Consultative jury panel will produce a shortlist of 40 from all
submitted entries.
Step 2: Consultative jury panel will select 9 competition finalists
from the shortlist.
Step 3: Core jury panel will evaluate the 9 finalists and select the
top 3 winning projects and 6 honourable mentions.
Step 1: Consultative jury panel will produce a shortlist of 40 from all
submitted student entries.
Step 2: Consultative jury panel will select 9 competition finalists
from the shortlist.
Step 3: Core jury panel will evaluate the 9 finalists and select the
winning project.

“Omuli School Favourite” Award: Green Award:

Step 1: Consultative jury panel will produce a shortlist of 40 from all
submitted entries.
Step 2: The competition Client selects their 1 (one) favourite
project.
Step 1: Consultative jury panel will produce a shortlist of 40 from all
submitted entries.
Step 2: Consultative jury panel will select 9 competition finalists
from the shortlist.
Step 3: Core jury panel will evaluate the 9 finalists and select the
winning project.

25
Tell the world
your story!
Video and interview
Shortly prior to the results announcement, selected competition
winners and honourable mentions will be contacted and asked to
answer a series of interview questions (in writing) and submit a
video about themselves. These will be published with the
competition results.

There is a tight deadline to announce the winners on time, therefore

interview questions will need to be returned within 2 days, and
videos submitted within 2 weeks of being requested. Hence, we
advise participants to consider ideas for their video and answers to
their questions in advance so that they are able to submit the
relevant material on time.

Read more about:

Please note – both the interview and video submission are
The video submission – https://beebreeders.com/submit-movie
OPTIONAL. However, we do recommend that all participants
submit as much material as possible in order to maximise the The interview – https://beebreeders.com/interview
publicity and media attention their work will receive.

26
Omuli school students © From the collection of the Valka Local History Museum
Eligibility Competition
documentation
The competition is open to all. No professional qualifications are The following information is available for download at
required. Design proposals can be developed individually or by OMULIMUSEUM.beebreeders.com:
teams (4 team members maximum).
• Full competition brief
People who have direct personal or professional relationships with • Site and context photographs
jury panel members or organisers may not participate in this • CAD and PDF site plan and sections
competition. • 3D site model

All information can be downloaded as often as required; no

additional information or materials will be provided after
registration.

The brief and all associated documentation for this competition are
created for the sole purpose of an academic exercise and are not
legal documents.

The provided materials, or alternatives, can be used, created, or

sourced at the participant's discretion.

27
Media partners

A full list of media partners who have committed to present the

competition winners in their publications can be found at
OMULIMUSEUM.beebreeders.com

For potential media partners who are also interested in covering the
present competition and its winners, please contact us at
hello@beebreeders.com

Competition press kit (in English) and banners are available at

OMULIMUSEUM.beebreeders.com/press

Full Competition Terms & Conditions: © Bee Breeders hello@beebreeders.com

OMULIMUSEUM.beebreeders.com/terms Architecture Competition Organisers beebreeders.com