Light and shade are essential to architecture. Sunlight can enliven a space, or it can make it unbearably hot and bright. The way architects and designers create shade for buildings, homes and public spaces transforms the way people use them and can be inspirational works of art, admired the world over.

Because light and shade are such important elements in the tool kit of designers and architects, it’s incumbent upon the world’s best to push the innovation envelope when it comes to shade design and implementation That’s why Sunbrella® fabrics created the Future of Shade competition, which invites designers and architects from around the world to envision elegant and pioneering shade designs to meet the needs of the 21st century and beyond.

Now in its fourth year, the Future of Shade competition continues the Sunbrella commitment to the architecture and design community by nurturing the exploration of creative solutions. Three unique categories create distinct challenges where shade plays a critical role in the response. The beauty and versatility of Sunbrella fabrics as the primary medium opens the door to a world of possibilities.

Categories will again include three distinctly unique points of inspiration:

• The Humanitarian category comprises entries that respond to a social need or cause, i.e. design for disaster relief and international aid.
• The Wellness Garden category includes outdoors spaces expressly designed for health and well-being through architecture.
• The Building Shade category challenges architects and designers to propose cutting-edge concepts for fabric as a building material in a variety of contexts, including office buildings, cultural facilities, parks, courtyards and schools.

This year, Sunbrella presents an exclusive new opportunity for one entrant to see their work come to life in the newly renovated and highly sought after Miami Design District. In addition to the $10,000 winner in each of our 3 categories, a special jury comprised of managing members of the Miami Design District will also review entries in the Building Shade category and select one design to receive a $25,000 commission to potentially be realized within the District in 2016.

Entrants must register in order to be eligible to enter. Registration is available on the competition website Architizer.com with an entry submission deadline of March 20, 2016 at 11:59:59 p.m. EST.

About Sunbrella Fabrics

Introduced in 1961, Sunbrella revolutionized the way the world thinks about how beautiful fabrics look, feel and perform. The Sunbrella brand is the leading premium fabric choice for awning, marine and furniture manufacturers, offering legendary durability, fade resistance and ease of cleaning.

Upholstery fabrics from Sunbrella are continually advancing in design sophistication and comfort, resulting in applications both outside and inside the home for coordinated décor. Sunbrella fabrics have been certified by GreenGuard, an international standard, for contributing to indoor air quality.

Sunbrella fabrics are manufactured and marketed by Glen Raven, a 134-year-old family-owned company based in North Carolina with operations worldwide. For more information on the Sunbrella brand, including fabric resources, visit sunbrella.com.