The inaugural Dale Busfield Memorial Design Competition will be a bipartite competition aiming to raise awareness about the importance of Mental Health through Entrepreneurship and Architecture, with $10,000 going to the winner(s).

Creativity, expressed through entrepreneurialism and architectural design, can address challenges surrounding mental health - including stigma, access to care, and quality of outcomes. Riser+Tread and Cognitive Design are hosting a student design competition to increase awareness about the importance of mental health and shine a light on the challenges many people face.

Dale Busfield was our Uncle, but more than that, he was such a warm personality, someone who had an unforgettable smile. He was handsome, hilarious, artistic, and stylish; as well as an incredible piano player, designer (landscape architect) and loving son, brother, and uncle. He liked things “ironically” before it was cool, and if sarcasm was a sport he'd be the GOAT. Dale was the uncle who would run around in an oversized pirate hat for a toy sword fight with his nephew in the middle of a park, or hear a Glenn Miller Orchestra song on the radio and jump up to grab his nearest friend for a spontaneous dance. His wit and fashion sense would have landed him a gig as a style expert on “Queer Eye”.

Dale was not just our favorite uncle, but one of our favorite people. His warmth, talent, humor and laughter live on long after his tragic death at age 39 from AIDS in 1995. His artistic spirit continues to inspire us, and we’re grateful to have had him in our lives. We named this mission after him to honor his name and keep his memory alive, linked to a movement meant to inspire creativity in order to help others.