Electronic Superhighway (1995), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Nam June Paik, Artist

2025 ARCC INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
2026 ARCC-EAAE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 

Request for Proposals: Application Deadline: October 31, 2023

Each year the Architectural Research Centers Consortium holds an important international conference on architectural research, broadly and inclusively defined. ARCC conferences are held in partnership with an academic host institution. Every other year, ARCC partners with EAAE (European Association for Architectural Education) to hold a joint US-EU conference. Recent conference hosts and locations include:

2016: Universidade Tecnica de Lisboa, Portugal
2017: University of Utah, Salt Lake City
2018: Temple University, Jefferson University, and Drexel University, Philadelphia
2019: Ryerson University, Toronto
2020: Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain (virtual)
2021: University of Arizona, Tucson (virtual)
2022: Florida International University, Miami
2023: Texas Tech University, Texas

ARCC invites proposals from member schools to host the 2023 ARCC International Conference. Letters of Interest and Intent should be submitted by October 31, 2023 and meet the following guidelines:

GUIDELINES FOR ARCC CONFERENCE LETTERS OF INTEREST AND INTENT

ARCC Conferences are a premier outlet for disseminating leading edge research on architecture and the built environment. They are designed to be a conference for 150-200 attendees with sessions structured to allow ample time for discussion. ARCC conferences are self-supporting events; registration is inclusive of all costs associated with the conference, including venue, keynote speakers, receptions, meals, local transportation between events (if required), conference bags, etc.

The responsibilities of the 2025 & 2026 Conference Host are:

1. to identify the conference theme and sub-themes, in coordination with the ARCC board.
2. to identify a conference chair (or co-chairs), who will act as the primary point of contact between the ARCC board and the host institution. The conference chair will be invited to attend ARCC board meetings.
3. to prepare a call for submissions in reference to the conference theme and sub-themes, in coordination with the ARCC board.
4. to select keynote speakers in consultation with the ARCC board.
5. to manage all local logistical arrangements to host conference sessions, keynote speakers, plenary sessions, paper presentations, workshops, poster exhibits, tours, and social events including equipment and food.
6. to arrange participant accommodations (if needed), venue sites and any necessary local transportation.
7. to prepare a preliminary budget of all local costs in hosting the conference in consultation with the ARCC board.
8. to present a budget report for review at ARCC board monthly meetings once the proposal has been accepted.

The responsibilities of the ARCC Board are:

1. to develop communication material for the conference in consultation with the host institution. These include the conference website, email communications, and social media, among others.
2. to oversee and manage the double-blind peer-review and acceptance process for all submissions.
3. to develop the conference schedule including paper sessions, panel discussion, workshops, exhibits, tours and special events.
4. to produce the conference proceedings.
5. to identify session chairs, workshop moderators, panelists, etc. in consultation with the host institution.
6. to oversee and manage the conference budget and set registration rates for the conference.
7. to arrange the financial mechanisms for receiving registration fees.

Letters of Interest and Intent are sought from member schools/organizations in good standing with ARCC (organizational dues are current before submitting; see website: http://www.arcc-arch.org/current-members/). Non-member organizations who wish to submit a Letter of Interest and Intent can do so but will need to become an ARCC member prior to be being awarded host of the conference.

Letters of Interest and Intent should contain the following information and be submitted in Word format (.doc) with page numbers:

Cover Page (1 page)

1. Name of the Hosting ARCC Member Organization (partnering is encouraged)
2. Proposed Conference Theme
3. Proposed Location for Conference
4. Proposed Dates or range of dates (April, May or June 2025 & 2026)
5. The name of the Conference Chair, as well as names of co-chairs (if any) or core members of the local organizing committee. A one-paragraph bio sketch about each should appear in an appendix.

Letter of Interest and Intent (3-page max)

1. Selection of theme and sub-themes relevant to contemporary architectural research and design, broadly defined. Given ARCC’s wide membership, the theme and sub-themes should not be too narrow yet locally relevant.  Themes and sub-themes addressing global issues are strongly encouraged.
2. Possible keynote speakers (list at least 3) and tours relevant to the conference theme.
3. The names, affiliations of all proposed members of the Local Organizing Committee. Typically, there should be between 3 and 5 committee members willing to be actively involved in the conference preparation and organization. In addition to established scholars, the inclusion of early-career scholars on the Local Organizing Committee is encouraged.
4. Discussion of why the geographical location should be considered. Defining alignment between proposed theme and location is encouraged. Possible locations for accommodations of participants should be included.
5. A proposed budget outline that exhibits institutional financial support, in-kind donations (personnel and facilities), potential sponsors, and venue and related local costs to host ARCC 2025 & 2026.

Letters of Support (2-page max. each)

Institutional support should be demonstrated with a letter from the Head of Department and Dean of the College or School.

PROCEDURE AND TIMING

1. Deadline for the receipt of Letters of Interest and Intent is 5:00pm (PDT), October 31, 2023. Letters of Intent should be submitted as attachments (word.doc) to: Adil Sharag-Eldin, ARCC President at: president@arcc-arch.org.
2. If the proposal is accepted, the ARCC Board of Directors may request further information that include additional details about the venue, technical support, accommodation structure, proposed budget, local travel and accommodations.
3. Final decision on the conference host for ARCC 2025 & 2026 is expected by December 1, 2023.

QUESTIONS

For further questions, please contact: Adil Sharag-Eldin, ARCC President, at: president@arcc-arch.org.