The New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has announced the rules for a design contest to find a possible replacement for the information kiosk that currently stands outside the ‘Garden Theater’ at 160 Nassau Street (map). There are currently two ‘kiosks’ on Nassau Street that serve as information noticeboards. They will be removed as part of an upcoming engineering project to make improvements to the street and sidewalks. At their meeting last week, Princeton Council endorsed the new design contest, which was conceived by local architect Joshua Zinder. Ideas that come out of the competition may be used to install a new, improved information kiosk at the intersection next to the Garden Theater, and potentially at other locations around the town, depending on future decisions by Council.
The information packet released as part of the design contest notes that the existing kiosks were built in 1988. They used to house newspaper boxes and a telephone, but those have been removed over the years, leaving only the notice boards and a fading map of the central business district. There is no specific requirement for a particular shape or style for a new design, but the entire structure must fit within a 14’ x 8’ area and be no more than 12′ tall. At least 50 sq ft of ‘bulletin board’ space should be available so that members of the public can continue to post notices on any future kiosk.
Entries are encouraged to use sustainable materials and to incorporate wayfinding into the designs. A digital touchscreen of at least 24” x 36” should be included, although this may not be part of any initial construction. The entries will be judged in part based on how the design handles elements such
as lighting, paper postings, resilient materials, digital information presentation, solar power, and construction cost.
Applications will be considered from professional architects and students. Architects must be registered in NJ, and a member of the American Institute of Architects. Students can be at high-school or at any New Jersey college / university architecture or design program. Anyone submitting an entry must register by July 16, and final entries are required by July 18th, 2025, 11:59pm EST.
The designs must be entered on a board without any information identifying the applicant, so that they can be judged ‘anonymously’. The Top 5 entries will be put on display for the larger community to select a ‘Public Choice’ Award. There will be three prizes for architect-submitted entries, of $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000. Three student prizes of $1,500, $1,000, and $500 will also be awarded. The prizes are being contributed by The Bank of Princeton and Roundview Capital.
The town may use one of the ideas for a future kiosk design, but is not required to do so. Full details of the design contest, including the format for applications, are available at the link below. Questions about the contest should be addressed to Christina Goldstein at cgoldstein@njpsi.com.
Related materials: (via PrincetonNJ.gov)
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