Story, Building

Submissions

We wish to publish new, imaginative, compelling, and critical articles, essays, and points of view on architecture and the built environment in and of Ireland. We particularly welcome critical perspectives from people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

When do we take submission proposals?

We accept proposals on an ongoing basis. You may submit a proposal in the form of a pitch document at any time and when you feel it is ready and meets the pitch criteria. However, priority will be given to submissions that are made in response to a live open thematic call. You are advised to check which calls are open when considering submitting a pitch document.

Please note that if the submission of a pitch document is inaccessible to you, contact the editorial team at storybuildingjournal@gmail.com.

What formats get published?

We invite proposals that are suitable for inclusion in the print edition of Story, Building. However, we also welcome proposals for visual and photographic work, drawing, video, interview, reviews, sound work etc. that might be more readily included on the Story, Building website. This is in line with our editorial policy to make architecture available to more people in many ways across many platforms.

I have a proposal, so what next?

If you are interested in submitting a proposal for consideration, you must first prepare a pitch document.

This pitch document should be a maximum of 300 words. Please do not send a completed work /article.
The pitch should contain the main argument of the proposed article, give a clear sense of the overall structure and outline how the article might support the underlying editorial aims of Story, Building. Bullet point outlines are a good idea.
Pitch documents should also include a 150 word biography or statement.
Pitches for proposals which are not text based (e.g. a photographic story) should include the above and digital images (5-8max) of not more than 2mb each.
Pitch documents should be uploaded or sent as PDF’s please.

What are the details?

Published articles will be between 1200-1500 words on average. Please consider this when preparing your pitch document.
We pay for all published work. Fees range from €250 to €350 per published article depending on length of written work submitted or what is appropriate to the format. This will be agreed in advance of commissioning with you.
Pitches are genuinely welcome from emerging writers, those from diverse backgrounds and those who may not ordinarily write about architecture.
We will not publish pieces that have already been published in print or appeared online, even on blogs. We consider parallel pitches but this should be indicated when submitting here.
If you pitch is accepted, the editorial process will include some work with the editorial team. (Reasonable accommodations will be supported for the engagement with the editorial team.) Our aim is to make all published work as clear and impactful as possible, limiting the use of jargon.

Generally, we aim to respond to pitches within 3-5 weeks. Pitches made during the Open Thematic Call will be prioritised.
We may not be able to offer specific feedback on why submissions are not selected but will aim to do so.
When your pitch document is ready, please email it to storybuildingjournal@gmail.com (in PDF format).

Images should be sent using WeTransfer or an open Dropbox link.

All queries at all can be addressed to storybuildingjournal@gmail.com

Open Thematic Call #1

Theme: TO ACCESS
Opens: 11.03.22
Closes: 22.04.22

Story, Building issue 1 will consider the theme of TO ACCESS in, of and to architecture and the built environment in Ireland. Work submitted for consideration in response to this theme might relate to, but should not be limited to:

Access to the built environment in terms of ability, and disability.
Social, economic, cultural, or other forms of access or exclusion in the built environment; social and spatial justice.
Access to forms and models of housing provision.
Notions of “behind the scenes” or “accessing all areas”.
Access to education in architecture or access to the profession.
How architecture is mediated and communicated to audiences (and thus rendered “accessible”) in various formats.
Architecture as mediated and made accessible or not, via social and other forms of new media.
Participation indesign and development practices or processes including the planning system.
Access (literally or conceptually) within and through buildings, including design, strategy, and detail.
Access to influence, power and resources that impact on architecture and the built environment.