The Dead Prize

John Hill

8. August 2014

Landmine photo courtesy of the Dead Prize

Architecture for Humanity co-founder Cameron Sinclair launches the Dead Prize, which highlights the worst designs, projects that have caused harm to the environment.

When former AFH honcho Sinclair was asked the question many years ago, "what is the worst design ever?" he replied: "the landmine." With this in mind, it is no surprise that he is launching a "prize" that draws attention to the harm (physical, environmental, psychological, etc.) that can be inflicted by the objects, buildings and other artifacts designed by humans. And it is no surprise that the above photo of a landmine graces the background of the Dead Prize's website, which states:

"In the past decade we have seen an explosion of honors and awards for the most innovative and forward thinking solutions. Yet no one recognizes the projects that have caused harm to the environment - designs that are helping shorten our existence on this planet. This is why we created the DEAD prize. Let's recognize the bad, honor the failures and hopefully do something to rectify these designs against humanity."

Anybody can nominate bad designs for the prize (from September 1 to All Souls Day, November 1), using the Dead Prize's Twitter feed. Finalists will be announced in early December, with "winners" announced in early 2015.