X
Architecture competitions newsletter

The world's leading
architecture competition
organiser

Thank you for being with us for 10 years!

10+

years of experience

Read an article

147

successfully organised
competitions

See all results

425

guest jury members

See our guest jury

996

awards granted

Testimonials
Our clients trust us

Buildner is trusted by the world’s leading companies and organizations.

Launch a competition
The contemporary home

Buildner is partnering with Archdaily to explore the latest trends and spark innovation related to new ways of living, with a focus on sustainability, functionality, and creativity.

Learn more

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

&
PRIZE FUND

100,000 €

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

6 March 2025

Learn more
Download brief
also available in

International architecture ideas competition. Open to all.

Microhome
Design a new concept small-scale home and compete for €100,000 prize in the second Kingspan-Buildner competition
PRIZE FUND

100,000 €

REGISTRATION DEADLINE

13 February 2025

International Architecture Ideas Competition

HOUSE OF
THE FUTURE
2024/25

Design the new home standard for UAE and share a prize fund of 250,000€

PRIZE FUND

250,000 €

+ potential to be realised
FINAL REGISTRATION DEADLINE

30 April 2025

Open architecture competitions

  • Closest deadline first
  • Project competitions first
    Selected winning projects have the potential to be constructed
  • Ideas competitions
    Experimental competitions with the focus on pushing the boundaries of creativity
MICROHOME

Design a new concept small-scale home and compete for €100,000 prize in the second Kingspan-Buildner competition

Kingspan Edition 2024/2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 5 December 2024
Peja Culture 
Pavilion

Design a culture pavilion in Peja

project COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award + Potential to be realised
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 11 December 2024
Denver 
Single-Stair 
Housing Challenge

Design single staircase, multi-story residential housing in Denver

Affordable Housing Series 18th Edition ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 12 December 2024
new
House of the Future 2024/25

Design the new home standard for UAE and share a prize fund of 250,000€

250,000 € Prize fund ideas COMPETITION
Prize 250,000 € + Construction
Eligibility Open to All
Early bird registration deadline 19 December 2024
new
Re:Form - 
New Life 
for Old Spaces

Choose a site—used, abandoned, or forgotten—anywhere in the world, and give it a new purpose

ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 22 January 2025
new
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 6 March 2025

Recurring architecture competitions

The Architect's 
Chair

Take a seat and make a statement!

Take a seat and make a statement! Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 15 January 2025
new
Hospice - 
Home for the 
Terminally ill

Design a safe and supportive space to those struggling with a terminal illness

Edition #4 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 15 January 2025
The Last 
Nuclear Bomb Memorial

Design a memorial that speaks to the cause of ending all nuclear weapons programs

Edition #5 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 16 January 2025
new
Kinderspace

Design a kindergarten of tomorrow

Architecture for Children’s Development #2 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Early bird registration deadline 16 January 2025
Museum of 
Emotions

Use architecture to create different emotional states

Edition #6 ideas COMPETITION SILENT CONTEST For this competition, NO DESCRIPTION TEXT is allowed. The architecture ideas must be communicated strictly with visuals.
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Advance registration deadline 23 January 2025
The Home of 
Shadows

Design a home with no artificial lighting

The light studies. Edition #3 ideas COMPETITION
Prize Monetary award
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 29 January 2025

Why do you enter architecture competitions?

We believe in cultural debate and discussion. To be able to compare positions, attitudes, and possibilities, ideas need to be put on the table and evaluated. Architecture can stimulate societal perspectives and foster a vision of where we want to go as a civilization. Thus, we participate in selected competitions out of interest in the core question and the desire to contribute with specific perspectives to this discussion.

I participate in competitions when the topics align with my experience, as this allows me to consolidate my knowledge into a single project.

We participate in architecture competitions when the briefs resonate with us, presenting challenges we are passionate about and providing opportunities to apply our knowledge and creativity.

For the Stantec Buildings practice, competition projects stretch our design thinking, show what’s possible, and make room for innovation. They give us a chance to apply our designs, critical thinking, and collaboration to pressing issues facing society.

Participating in competitions expands your abilities and challenges your team by exposing them to diverse realities and situations. It strengthens collaboration and decision-making.

Architecture, more than any other technical or professional discipline, profoundly influences human lifestyles and is deeply intertwined with personal life. I can confidently say that architectural design has ignited our passion for problem-solving and seeking solutions. We view architectural competitions as opportunities to challenge ourselves and explore creative solutions to complex issues.

We participate in architecture competitions to challenge ourselves and grow as designers. Each competition offers a new perspective, encouraging us to develop innovative solutions and refine our architectural approach. We view every competition as a valuable opportunity to learn, collaborate, and contribute to our professional growth.

We believe that humanitarian concerns transcend borders and should not be influenced by politics. Through this competition, we hope to convey our warmth and care for the people of Ukraine. We also aim to use our expertise to contribute, however modestly, to the post-war lives of ordinary citizens and to help rebuild hope for the future.

Hospice care is an issue that every individual and family will eventually face. Having personal experience in caring for the elderly at home, I am deeply concerned about their later years. Ensuring their happiness can bring comfort to the entire family.

International ideas competitions and design competitions provide the best opportunities to design according to a brief and scope of work. From concept development and site selection or analysis (if already provided) to architectural design and its refinement, these challenges allow for remarkable outcomes where architecture is created with its users in mind. Participating in these competitions fosters critical thinking and adaptability, particularly when addressing sensitive projects like the Hospice, which is deeply meaningful to our team. By embracing diverse contexts, this process encourages thoughtful, inclusive, and responsive architectural practices that resonate with both place and purpose.

Participating in architectural competitions not only allows us to grow but also helps us face a variety of challenges and explore design solutions in different contexts—whether social, environmental, or otherwise.

Architecture competitions are a great opportunity to explore new topics or building typologies that you may have never used before. I believe that every competition is a win for you—you always gain new knowledge and new ways of thinking!

We view competitions as a valuable platform for enhancing teamwork, honing our skills, and challenging our preconceptions of design. By fostering dialogue and maintaining a continuous exchange as we grow in our respective environments, we can build a strong foundation for future competitions and strengthen our long-term collaboration. Competitions also provide opportunities to share ideas and engage with current issues. We chose this particular competition for its social impact, as designing a hospice for the terminally ill aligns seamlessly with our social responsibility as architects.

We participate in competitions because we want to learn more skills and have the opportunity to develop interesting projects beyond those in our school’s curriculum.

Architecture competitions are opportunities for you to push your creative limits as a designer. Such creative freedom is rare in the professional world, so seize the opportunity! Moreover, architecture competitions expose us to a wider variety of building typologies, programs, and scales that are not fully explored in academia. As we continue to engage with a diverse range of design prompts and challenges, our understanding of the built world deepens further. Many projects from these competitions have been a source of inspiration, and by participating, we aim to contribute to that spread of inspiration.

We participate in architectural competitions because they offer a great opportunity to develop and test our ideas in real-world contexts. Competitions push us beyond the academic framework, challenging us to face practical problems and think creatively. They also give us the freedom to experiment with different concepts and design approaches. Through these competitions, we exchange ideas with others, gain valuable experience in teamwork, and improve our time management skills—essential for our future careers. We believe that participating in these events not only sharpens our abilities but also allows us to bring fresh perspectives to the ongoing dialogue about architecture.

We appreciate the fact that competitions contribute to the development of new and high-quality projects. For the client, this means gaining access to multiple solutions for a specific brief, which enhances the quality of the final design by validating it through various approaches. Additionally, we embrace competition as it stimulates our interest in the perspectives of other architects and the diversity of ideas. It is highly positive to see that architectural competitions are gaining prominence these days and encompass a wide range of interesting briefs at diverse scales.

Participating in an architectural competition involves learning to think deeply through a process where there are no right answers, while developing the creative ability to think outside the box. It is also an important opportunity to strengthen teamwork and learn how to collaborate effectively.

To push boundaries in architecture and life, allowing us to improve our overall experience and knowledge.

We participate in architecture competitions to refine our design skills and explore innovative concepts beyond everyday projects. These competitions provide a platform to push creative boundaries and develop visionary ideas that can inspire future architectural work. They also offer valuable opportunities for collaboration and professional growth.

Competitions provide a unique opportunity for us to engage in design beyond our regular work, keeping our curiosity and creativity alive as we explore projects outside our usual scope. They also serve as an outlet for us to share our design perspectives and ambitions with the industry. Additionally, by engaging with a broader audience, competitions allow us to address important societal questions through the architectural lens.

Architectural competitions are an open field for sharing ideas and rethinking, with an optimistic view, the future in which we want to live. Every competition is like a celebration—a new opportunity to learn and challenge your own ideas alongside other architects.

We participate in architecture competitions to stay creative. As young professionals, competitions are opportunities for us to do creative work aside from our regular job tasks and allow us to fully express ourselves through our designs. Competitions also allow us to keep learning through different types and scales of projects and broaden our knowledge in the field, encountering new challenges and opportunities. They also allow for our work to be exposed to more people internationally, as well as train us to work in teams challenging us to learn how to self-organize our work and be independent in design projects.

An architecture competition is a platform to work freely and creatively, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the process of creation. A competition is a great mental exercise. It adds to my experience and helps me test my creative abilities, not only through words or thoughts but through actual work and drawings on paper. Moreover, there are certain benefits if the work is successful. I see it as an opportunity for growth and a tool to enhance professional skills.

HONORABLE MENTION

Competitions challenge us to expand our skill sets and connect with the architectural community. The Sansusī Sound Sculpture competition, in particular, offered a fascinating topic with real potential for realization. We were especially drawn to the use of wooden structures.

We participate in architecture competitions to deepen our passion for design and challenge ourselves to think beyond conventional boundaries. We chose to engage in this particular competition over the summer as an opportunity to explore our design thinking outside the academic environment. Although our academic semesters are filled with coursework and extracurricular commitments, and our summers are dedicated to internships, we made a deliberate decision to continue participating in the competition. This allowed us to further refine our design skills and continue our professional growth during the break.

To challenge myself and see what I can accomplish when putting my skills to use under pressure. I always view it as an exercise—first and foremost, I do it for myself. Additionally, participating in a contest is creatively valuable because you don't see the other submissions until the end. After doing extensive research to develop your solution, it’s fascinating to see the results, knowing all the specifics of the site, the rules, etc. That experience is humbling and, in my opinion, incredibly valuable.

HONORABLE MENTION

This is my first architecture competition. I participated because I think it's a great opportunity to test creativity and skills while also learning something new, especially when you find a project that resonates with you. I highly recommend participating to all students. Competitions are an important platform for professionals, but I believe students, in particular, will benefit the most. You will learn things that aren't taught in school.

STUDENT AWARD

I hope to keep my mind active and spark inspiration by participating in engaging architectural competitions. Of course, I also aim to discover potential opportunities through these competitions.

Competitions serve as a platform for us to explore fresh ideas, challenge ourselves, and experiment with cutting-edge design concepts. They grant us the freedom to think creatively and approach problems in unconventional ways, fostering a culture of innovation within our team. This environment enables us to continuously refine our skills as we engage with diverse design briefs and problem-solving scenarios, offering a sense of growth and development. 

We are very interested in participating in architecture competitions, as they provide an opportunity to engage with unique projects and unfamiliar contexts. These competitions offer challenges that promote both personal and professional growth.

1ST AND SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

I participate in competitions for the creative freedom they offer, allowing me to explore ideas and experiment beyond the constraints of commercial work.

HONORABLE MENTION

Though I'm a novice in architecture, as a designer, the allure of creating a building or structure is always present. Whenever I travel, I make it a point to visit incredible architectural landmarks. So, when I saw that one of my design heroes, Philippe Starck, was a judge for the Architecture Chair competition, I couldn't pass up the chance. I may not be great at buildings, but designing a chair for a legend like him was an opportunity I couldn’t let slip by.

I participate in design competitions to ignite my creativity through new briefs and energize my work with fresh challenges. These opportunities push me to broaden my perspective, expand my sources of inspiration, and continuously drive innovation in my work.

HONORABLE MENTION

To challenge myself, competitions provide space for learning, experimentation, and pushing boundaries. They inspire me and give me the freedom to be creative and do what I love.

I think that my answer to this question would be something like, “to test myself and get feedback on whether I can do this job well by having my work evaluated by different professionals.”

HONORABLE MENTION

I participate in architecture competitions to challenge myself and broaden my exposure to architectural discourse and design briefs outside of my work context.

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

This competition was recommended to me by a colleague, the faculty leader at the university where I teach. I enjoy participating in competitions where I receive feedback on my work from professional experts. I believe participating allows us to challenge our creative boundaries and gain valuable exposure for our work. Competitions also provide an opportunity to connect with other designers and architects, expanding our design thinking and engaging in broader discussions in the field of architecture and design.

We firmly believe in the importance of exploring new frontiers in design and construction, which drives us to actively participate in various competitions. These competitions offer us a unique platform to experiment and develop innovative approaches that challenge traditional norms and enrich our architectural proposals. 

HONORABLE MENTION

Ironically, we take part in architecture competitions to create more opportunities for us to design. The majority of our time spent in practice requires us to deal with the pragmatic aspects of architecture. While that is fulfilling in its own way, competing allows us to be freer in our designs.

We believe that participating in architectural competitions offers several key benefits. It allows us to gain new experiences and practice teamwork, which are crucial for our professional development. Competitions also provide an opportunity to add innovative projects to our portfolios, showcasing our skills and creativity. Furthermore, we acquire valuable skills that will be useful in our future work and studies, making us more attractive to potential employers.

Participating in architectural competitions is a form of expression. It gives me the opportunity to explore and develop concepts that excite me while honing skills in design and representation. Especially as I dive deeper into professional practice, competitions can be a breath of fresh air that allows me to keep engaged with my inquisitive side.

Competitions provide an opportunity to explore and share innovative ideas. For instance, this competition allows me to investigate the concept of a "Stonehenge house" - an idea I've been curious about and eager to develop beyond just a personal project.

HONORABLE MENTION

What motivated us to participate in this competition was the proposal: connecting with light as a material of visibility and knowledge. Light-based design questions the design process, inverting the idea of habitat, intimacy, and protection, and challenging the choice of materials and the scope of the technical aspects of elements.

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

We see architecture competitions as an opportunity to push the limits of our thinking and test our strengths in every aspect of working as a group.

There are several reasons why participating in architecture competitions is valuable. First, these competitions provide a great opportunity to showcase creativity and test innovative ideas. They are appealing because they allow for experimenting with new design approaches and advancing innovative architectural techniques. Additionally, competitions serve as platforms to actualize projects and receive evaluations from experts. This feedback is essential for understanding how one's work would function in real-world environments and for making improvements. 

We love exploring the world through travel and design. Competitions offer fantastic opportunities to learn folklore, reimagine sites, merge experiences, and design new dialogues.

Architecture competitions provide a relatively uninhibited freedom to dream. These opportunities keep the thoughtful passion for design alive.

Participating in architectural competitions allows us to challenge ourselves creatively and professionally. Participating in international competitions like this one helps broaden our perspective and consider new cultural experiences beyond our own norms and tastes. We also wanted to design freely again, as we did in our university days, focusing on aesthetics, function, and sustainability rather than being defined by guidelines, requirements, or money. We hoped to create something truly beautiful while pursuing the ideals of architecture.

We participate in architecture competitions to find the space to complement our different backgrounds in a challenging project and to contrast our ideas with the collective.

Competitions are a very stimulating and complementary method and tool for working on everyday projects in the office. They help you stay engaged with research and encourage "out of the box" thinking and creating. Through sensible and sensitive experiments, you can temporarily escape your everyday space/time realities, routines, local legislation and politics, and sometimes narrow investor logic. In the case of this project (Iceland ski snow cabin), we also traveled in our imagination to the dramatic, archetypal, and beautiful landscapes of this remote island, which we have already visited and with whose nature and culture we have developed a very passionate, intimate relationship.

Architecture competitions allow me to experiment with design ideas for unique programs and sites.

We have participated in a number of architectural competitions during the last two years. We believe they are an excellent way to challenge our skills and provide a vehicle to highlight our architectural approach to the issues that we have discussed above. 

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

As students, we have found that competitions give us the opportunity to work on projects that we wouldn't encounter in the professional realm and to explore out-of-the-box solutions to common challenges. Competitions have been an excellent opportunity to share our ideas and see what other students and architects from around the world propose.

Competitions are an opportunity to explore, often in less-bounded ways, allowing new ideas to emerge.

Architecture competitions are an incredible way to broaden one’s mind and elaborate on knowledge. This first competition for all of us also meant working together with people we held in high regard. It was a way of actively choosing who to work with and learning to be productive despite having multiple things going on in our lives and being far away from each other.

What excites me the most is the challenge of providing my own solutions for a wide variety of tasks and being able to share them with a community. The platform offers young architects, in particular, the opportunity to present new and inspiring ideas to enhance growth and personal development.

Participating in architecture competitions allows us to challenge ourselves creatively, explore new ideas, and stay engaged with the latest trends and innovations in the field. It provides opportunities to showcase our skills, collaborate with other professionals, and gain recognition for our work.

HONORABLE MENTION
Competition Underbridge

This aims to present more possibilities in architecture. It is also an opportunity for young architects to showcase their work to experienced professionals.

HONORABLE MENTION
Competition Underbridge

We participate in architecture competitions because we are proud of our work. In school and post-graduation, we’ve designed projects defined by public service and community remediation. We feel this is the ultimate duty of the architect, beyond the niche and aesthetic. Herein, we want to share this work with our peers and inspire those with these creative skills to design generously.

Competitions often provide the opportunity to design for places and specific needs that may not ordinarily arise in a client brief. Competitions are a great way for architecture studios to challenge their thinking about architecture’s role and or contribution to society. To think big and to see ourselves as an agent for positive change. It is also an important exercise to test a firm’s ability to respond to a brief and compare their proposal to their peers.

HONORABLE MENTION
Competition Underbridge

I participate in architecture competitions to improve my design skills. Dealing with specific topics always provides new inspiration and enables me to continuously develop. Additionally, I enjoy seeing the diverse approaches that other participants take to solve the same challenges.

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
Competition Underbridge

Unlike existing contests, BUILDNER addresses aspects of society that are not yet considered. This gives us many opportunities to think and has the power to change society. We also entered this contest to be part of such an initiative.

I believe that participating in architectural competitions can greatly help me broaden my thinking and allow me to design boldly while trying out new design methods. For example, I think that the functionality of a single building is limited, so I aim to solve complex problems through designing systems. The topics provided by Buildner are always innovative and challenging, which is why I want to use this architectural competition to practice my ideas and receive diverse feedback from around the world. This experience will be a great exercise for my professional skills in the future.

1ST AND STUDENT AWARD
Competition Underbridge

Taking part in architecture competitions is a way for us to break the routine of our day-to-day jobs. It allows us to push design boundaries and take concept ideas that stem from our unique approach to briefs and architectural visions to the extreme.

Participating in architecture competitions allows us to challenge ourselves and observe our group dynamic with a project beyond university settings. It is a means for us to test our abilities and push our boundaries.

Competitions provide opportunities to tackle innovative design challenges, fostering skill development and creativity, and exploring new ideas and design approaches that might not be encountered in everyday work.

Participating in architectural competitions offers an even playing field for individuals at different stages and levels of exposure within the profession. When students and professionals compete together, the experience can push the boundaries of knowledge and creativity. This expansion can challenge preexisting concepts and ultimately propel the profession forward by sparking innovation and solving existing challenges in new ways. It is also a wonderful opportunity to network with peers while addressing interesting problems.

 

The competition provides us with an opportunity to explore and challenge various topics, pushing us beyond our comfort zones to try different types, thus fostering a continuous learning process. In competitions, we are often faced with numerous requirements and constraints, similar to those encountered in future architectural practice. However, they are also more theoretical, which stimulates our imagination and creativity. This is particularly meaningful for us as students.

2ND AND STUDENT AWARD

We were interested in seeing if others could relate to our new concept, and I seized the opportunity to participate.

There are many reasons for this, but the main one is that the competition is a way for teams to see their skills and teamwork before they graduate and use the opportunity to improve individually.

Architecture competitions are an important step in developing personal skills, expanding one's knowledge in a specific field, and having the freedom to experiment without particular constraints or obligations. Furthermore, engaging in these competitions with a team of people who share your interests is a smart way to foster team building and highlight the peculiarities of each member. For our group, this collaboration was very efficient and allowed us to get to know each other personally and professionally.

Participating in architecture competitions allows us to explore new design challenges, push the limits of creativity within a team, and showcase innovative ideas to a broader audience. These competitions provide valuable opportunities for professional growth, networking with peers and industry leaders, and gaining global recognition.

Participating in architecture competitions offers a valuable opportunity to engage with professionals from around the world and acquire new knowledge, especially when projects are carried out in teams. This experience involves the ability to collaborate with others and compare different ideas to create a final project. Moreover, competitions typically present design challenges that demand innovative solutions, encouraging the development of new design approaches. Additionally, taking part in these competitions provides significant visibility and prestige, showcasing one's work to a wide audience and increasing future opportunities, both academically and professionally.

We participate in competitions for fun! Architecture competitions offer us the chance to let our creativity run wild, unfettered by the usual shackles of professional projects. We architects thrive on challenges – the kind that make us grow taller, not just our buildings! These competitions throw us into a whirlwind of diverse concepts, like a wild ride through the theme park of design. We get to play with different design philosophies, shuffle spatial arrangements like a deck of cards, and indulge our curiosities until they're bursting at the seams. It's like being mad scientists in a laboratory of architectural innovation!

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

Although it’s worth noting it’s an opportunity to push boundaries with creativity and technical expertise, like many others have said, who have answered this very question. But, to be real it’s to show the world what we are capable of, either as individuals, architectural designers, or as recent graduates/students, out of the academic/professional settings.

Architectural competitions provide an kerf to look though real issues around us and encourage designers to think outside the box . This is a great opportunity to help architects understand the world, mutually, it allows the world to meet our vision.

As a recent graduate in architecture, I feel that I still have to mature in certain aspects when facing a new project. In addition to exploring my capabilities as an architect, participating in this type of competitions helps me improve not only in the project phase but mainly, in how to efficently present and explain a project.

1ST AND STUDENT AWARD

We believe that architectural competitions offer opportunities to experiment with novel solutions and themes, pushing us out of our comfort zone and challenging our capabilities. It's an excellent method for rapidly acquiring new knowledge and skills. Furthermore, we view competitions as a meritocratic form of recognition and consider idea competitions to be invaluable training for the design challenges we will face in our future careers.

Participating in architectural competitions provides us with an excellent platform to showcase and demonstrate our abilities, which is a rare opportunity. Collaborating and creating alongside partners from diverse backgrounds greatly enhances our understanding and familiarity with the project design process.

I participate in architecture competitions to immerse myself in projects that deviate from the ordinary, encounter new and stimulating design challenges, and test my abilities, all while having the opportunity to witness my projects come to fruition.

HONORABLE MENTION
Competition Iceland Beer Spa

We view competitions as a perfect exercise for testing creativity and exploring innovative proposals. They present a challenge for us and offer an opportunity to seek solutions to current problems. Additionally, competitions serve as a means to reach out and create a community among colleagues in the profession.

I participate in architecture competitions because they allow me to explore innovative design concepts, push the boundaries of my creativity, and refine my technical skills. They provide an opportunity to tackle design challenges that I might not encounter in my day-to-day work.

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
Competition Iceland Beer Spa

As a collective, this is the first time we have all individually collaborated on a project together. Being relatively new to the field of architecture, we are eager to understand and analyze the current conditions of our built environment. Architectural competitions provide us with the platform to establish our voice and explore our interests through the act of creation. In academia and the professional world, the design and construction of a building can be a lengthy process, whereas competitions allow us to work swiftly based on our instincts and intuition.

Architectural competitions offer the freedom to realize projects according to one's vision. While rules provide direction for thought, they don't restrict creativity. This enables the expression of one's full creative potential and design perspective. Our primary objective in participating in competitions is to refine our creative voice and diversify our portfolio. We believe that this experience will deepen our engagement with the design process.

Competitions provide a means to escape the numerous rules one must adhere to when designing a client's project. They offer freedom and prompt questions like, "Is this allowed?" or "Should I explore this path instead?" This encourages searching for new and different approaches. It's not just about expanding one's portfolio; it's about exercising the brain and having fun.

 

We participate in competitions because, while larger firms may prioritize commercial projects, we aim to maintain a sharp focus on pushing the boundaries of design creativity.

Primarily to hone my abilities in visualization and communication as well as using the prompt to test a particular idea or theme of exploration. The architectural work I do always seems to return to similar themes in different contexts. A new prompt or project offers a way to consider these themes in a new way.

I take part in competitions because, for me, architectural competitions are not only about winning, but also a chance to gain experience, showcase skills, better understand the project, and receive recognition. By participating, I work on honing my skills and become even more motivated to create.

HONORABLE MENTION

I participated in this architecture competition to stimulate my architectural thoughts, for fun and because I liked the competition's brief.

 

Competitions give the opportunity for you to work closely with teammates you admire, allowing you to learn from them as well as how to collaborate with them. As a bonus, competition work will be useful for enriching academic portfolios and future job applications.

I participate in competitions because I believe that architectural competitions are extremely stimulating occasions—a 'space' free from constraints in which you can express your point of view. They allow me to explore different and original topics and constitute a precious opportunity for creative enrichment and self-reflection.

HONORABLE MENTION

This was our first competition entry, with the goal to challenge ourselves, showcase our skills, and share our ideas. As students, we believe competitions are the best opportunity to be part of and develop projects that contribute our young concepts to the real world. We firmly believe that practice makes perfect. To improve our capabilities, we seek to participate in as many design competitions as possible to refine our respective styles and grow as architects.

We pursue the excitement of design, and architecture competitions are an avenue to fulfill our desires and share our passion with others.

I highly appreciate designers who strive to push the boundaries of possibilities and go beyond what is already known. In our daily professional work, we may not always have the opportunity for such exploration, which doesn't necessarily positively impact our development. However, design competitions provide an ideal opportunity to explore new concepts and create something truly unconventional.

We firmly believe that continually challenging ourselves is the catalyst for our professional evolution, compelling us to engage in an ongoing process of self-critique. Staying in sync with trends while actively pursuing innovation is imperative for advancing our brand. It serves as the driving force behind nurturing our adaptive and creative capabilities across diverse markets.

It is a good way to challenge your creativity.

Competitions benefit me in several ways, the most immediate is exposure of my work to peers and new audiences. But, personally, a competition creates a real deadline for me to organize a project into a thoughtful and complete form that is ready to share. This is especially important for personal projects that have no external deadlines.

Competitions serve as valuable learning experiences. They provide a chance to hone our skills and expand our creative horizons, receive feedback from jurors or peers, and refine skills and techniques. The process of conceptualizing, developing, and presenting a competition entry can be incredibly enriching, fostering growth and improvement as an architect.

3RD PRIZE

It's a great exercise for ingenuity, it promotes thinking differently and it’s a great way to express design philosophy.

I believe architecture competitions are important to push us as designers and also see how our own skills compare with those around us. Less about competition and more about improving ourselves as designers.

Participating in architecture competitions helps you see things from a different perspective, opens up various opportunities to experiment, and allows you to try something you have not attempted before. By doing so and navigating through the process, it encourages you to find your own approach. This experience helps expand your skills and insights by providing a platform to express yourself. Additionally, it serves as excellent practice for teamwork and leadership.

As students, participating in architecture competitions gives us a glimpse of how our proposed design can become a reality. It puts us in the mindset of designing something that has a certain potential to be built, which is exciting. It also helps us think uniquely and keeps us constantly improving our skills and designs.

For us, architecture competitions are a way to work on a project without the constraints or limitations that are often present in a profession setting, which allows us to push and expand the ways we are thinking and making.

I participate in architecture competitions as they can be a rewarding experience and offer me opportunities for professional growth, networking, portfolio enhancement, exploration of ideas and receiving feedback from jury members and peers in the industry.

Architecture competitions are a fundamental tool for experimenting, exploring concepts, and exploring possibilities that allow us to discover new worldviews. They are a true playground where it's possible to build step by step one's identity as an architect and develop a personal design approach.

Before being a competitive space, an architecture competition is a hub where stories and possibilities can be shared. As a student, this competition provided me with an opportunity to expand my understanding of the current situation, in a site that I might never have had a chance to work with. The competition brief was our studio brief, and it was an excellent project to explore the unknown while proposing the most site-specific response possible for this site.

I participate in architecture competitions to showcase my design skills and challenge myself with project types I wouldn’t typically see in my day-to-day work. With unconventional programs and unique competition sites that encourage designers to embrace complete creative control, I can explore innovative design ideas and systems that have the potential to transform a project and its community.

Competitions serve as a platform for us to explore fresh ideas, challenge ourselves, and experiment with cutting-edge design concepts. They grant us the freedom to think creatively and approach problems in unconventional ways, fostering a culture of innovation within our team. This environment also enables us to continuously refine our skills as we engage with diverse design briefs and problem-solving scenarios, offering a sense of growth and development.

Participation in architectural competitions allows one to improve their skills and acquire new knowledge, as well as broaden their perspective and gain unique, valuable experience. There is great value in observation and connecting with other human beings, which is done in a very particular way during such competitions. They allow for deeper analysis and understanding of other approaches and work ethics. They also facilitate dialogue with people from various cultures and backgrounds.

Competitions give the opportunity to test ideas uncontained from real world constraints. New concepts can be experimented which broaden our research and offer critiques or opportunities for implementation in our own future projects.

We believe that competitions are the most democratic exercises in architecture. They are the most honest way to highlight the need for good architectural projects to address the demands of a constantly changing world. Moreover, we think they challenge us, take us out of our comfort zone, and make us more creative.

We believe that participating in architecture competitions can develop our perception of spaces and sensitize us to the issues of the modern world. Moreover, we think that contact with people from all around the world can enrich our design experiences.

 

Competitions like this allow us to join the conversation on pressing global issues and explore if and how architecture can contribute. They can remove certain barriers to being innovative and radical when approaching solutions. I also enjoy reflecting on and learning from the variety of perspectives on these different design prompts.

I participate in architecture competitions to give freedom to my imagination and creativity, and also to experiment with new ideas, forms, and technologies. Furthermore, as a young architect, competitions are a way for me to improve my graphic design and communication skills, as well as gain greater visibility on a professional level.

HONORABLE MENTION

Architecture competitions provide us with a way to experiment with our ideas that are not limited as in the professional field, and not as directed as in school. Essentially, it is a platform for creative freedom within the set rules given by the brief.

In our opinion, architecture competitions provide a wonderful opportunity to challenge ourselves by engaging in unconventional projects around the world. We thoroughly enjoy exploring different cultures, and architecture competitions serve as a means to do just that.

Participation in ideation contests represents a valuable opportunity for us due to the creative freedom they offer and our ongoing interest in research. We chose this competition for its potential to explore new ways of living and enhancing the quality of life for older adults, a group often ignored in society. Additionally, as young architects starting our professional careers, it can be a great opportunity to showcase our philosophy, potential, and reflections on architecture to the world.

We take part in architecture competitions because they offer a chance to unleash our creativity, learn from others, and potentially win exciting projects. It's a way for us to grow personally and professionally while sharing our passion for design with the world.

Architectural competitions offer us a platform to cultivate innovative ideas rooted in contemporary issues. It is inspiring to learn from the architectural community in competitions as every participant uses different approaches to address the same prompt. All participants bring their unique expertise and past experiences into their designs, allowing us to learn from others in the field, challenge our own ideas, and develop our skill sets.

We participate in architecture competitions because they offer opportunities to broaden one's perspective on architecture and contribute to society.

Competitions occupy the middle ground between the rather wide disjunction between design school and practice. They simultaneously offer autonomy to individual designers who generally work (and think) eclectically as a group, but also more closely simulate the design timeline from 'conceptual to specific' that one experiences in professional practice. On a personal level, although Yifan, Lucas, and I are only one cohort apart, we realized that our experiences in the same school varied differently as a result of pedagogical changes and disruptions, such as the pandemic. This opportunity gave me some insight into a much more dexterous mode of working that they had to adapt to.

We see architecture competitions as a way to work on important questions that may not be addressed in commissioned projects. Therefore, we view ideas competitions as a small but critical part of a larger project with many inputs and outputs, along with additional sources of support.

Architecture competitions of this nature allow anyone to challenge and provide a fresh approach to existing design dogmas. It is an incredible chance to step away from the conventional means of execution and present a different perspective to a broader audience. It helps to facilitate change in the profession through exposure and discussion, as well as one’s own professional growth. Competitions are a great venue for experimentation, and a laboratory to unpack and test design philosophies.

Architectural competitions offer a framework for testing ideas. The potentialities of this process catalyze personal growth via the continuous design dialogue found therein, and thus shape new perspectives on evolving creative pursuits.

For us, participating in architecture competitions offers the opportunity to approach design in a less typical manner. The guidelines and requirements for competition projects often allow us to think outside the box, which greatly aids in creating increasingly innovative work. As students, it's important for us to showcase our projects beyond the university setting. Both the chance to receive feedback on our designs from industry specialists and the opportunity to win various awards are additional reasons for us to participate in competitions.

As a recent graduate, architecture competitions help me test my approach and design solutions in a realistic setting. They give me confidence and positivity in my design process and approach, providing a strong guideline for future works.

Participating in competitions provides opportunities to expand our knowledge on subjects we may not have access to in our practical work. We always approach competitions by questioning our preconceptions of design while still keeping constraints and feasibility in mind. This approach has allowed us to grow our knowledge and reshape the ways we design in our day-to-day work.

Participating in international architectural competitions provides an opportunity to become acquainted with outstanding designers worldwide. Through competition platforms, designers can engage in mutual exchange and interaction.

Participating in architecture competitions is a great opportunity to gain experience in a professional field before graduating. It may enrich a student's formation with new ideas, together with learning how to cope with tight deadlines, team work and responsibilities. The most challenging thing about this is not having someone guiding us throughout the process, but it is up to us to be more self-critical and enterprising.

In these competitions, I feel free. I believe that for an artist, nothing is better than the feeling of freedom to create.

Taking part in competitions provides us with a competitive and stimulating framework for tackling out-of-the-ordinary architectural subjects. It's also an opportunity for us to collaborate.

Architectural competitions are challenges that I can easily reflect my own design approach. The reason I participate in competitions is to challenge myself with talented designers from all over the world. The unique atmosphere of each project pushes me to solve the problem by approaching it by sustainable and effective ways with futuristic thinking.

As students, participating in architectural competitions allows us to know more architectural projects, broaden our horizons, and see the thoughts of different interpretations of people from different cultural backgrounds. At the same time, it prompts us to improve our professional skills and design methods.

To constantly learn more and develop new projects that may one day be realized is a goal. These competitions provide a platform to showcase your work to the world.

As strange as it may sound, I enjoy architecture competitions less for their rivalry and more for the exchange of ideas with fellow architecture enthusiasts around the globe. It serves as a great exercise to demonstrate fascinating (and magical) typology and design methods, away from the traditional approach that oftentimes is full of (boring) constraints. I’m always intrigued whenever I see these competition posters because they always come up with peculiar—sometimes hilarious—challenges that spark instant curiosity, just like love at first sight!

We want to compete with many people around the world. Besides that, participating in competitions can help us improve our knowledge, skills, logical thinking, and perspective on different programs and architectural scales.

I participate in architecture competitions to stay curious. In ideas competitions, there is enough freedom and enough restraints in place to be playful while remaining mindful.

Competitions provide us with an intellectual outlet to explore our core interests, investigate new challenges and opportunities, and quickly test out ideas. These competition briefs may deviate from our current projects and provide a refreshing and stimulating exercise.

We participate in architectural competitions to challenge our ideas, push our thinking further, reconsider our universe, reject the status quo, and take certain concepts to even greater heights.

Participating in architecture competitions gives me the opportunity to break free from the confines of conventional thinking that architects often find themselves in. It allows me to escape the limitations of my ideas, encouraging me to explore beyond the ordinary and perceive from diverse viewpoints. It is a refreshing way to stay inspired.

Architectural competitions offer a chance to explore various scales and usage typologies. They provide an opportunity to unleash your creativity while tackling new and unfamiliar challenges. Competitions serve as a tool for self-expression and growth within architecture, allowing us to apply our learned knowledge to different briefs and scenarios, continuously challenging our own ideas.

I participate in architecture competitions because they present diverse challenges, prompting me to seek varied solutions. It's an invigorating exercise that allows me to try, dream, and actualize my visions, continually refining my approach and expanding my design horizons.

To me, participating in architecture competitions is a conduit for innovation, learning, and professional growth. They provide a platform to explore new design paradigms, confront contemporary challenges, and engage with diverse architectural ideologies. Through competitions, I delve into uncharted territories of architectural and urban design, aligning with my ongoing exploration of blending traditional practices with modern technological advancements.

Competitions help me fuel my creative spirit, pushing me to innovate and convey my vision creatively amidst challenging constraints. This journey assembles a global brainstorming, fostering an enriching exchange of ideas and ultimately helping us shape our architectural practice.

International competitions pose the most pressing questions of the moment, challenging architects to address society's most urgent problems and emphasizing the need for their vision where it is most needed. Therefore, I feel obligated to provide a direct response to the current societal challenges, shaping the future and envisioning what it means to take charge. This year, I participated in several competitions independently and attempted to formulate a Ph.D. proposal topic. However, the work is still in progress and awaits approval.

We see architecture competitions as opportunities for our team to challenge ourselves and continually develop our design skills. They often involve unique and complex design problems that push us to think creatively and find innovative solutions. Competitions often have fewer constraints than real-world projects, allowing for greater creative freedom. This encourages us to explore unconventional ideas and collectively push the boundaries of design.

I participate in competitions to test my creativity and explore my ability to transform ideas from my mind into tangible environments and spaces. These challenges push me to find innovative solutions, engaging and stretching my creative capabilities.

Participating in architecture competitions is a conscious and deliberate decision on our part, driven primarily by our desire to maintain a platform for personal expression and to preserve our intellectual curiosity. These competitions represent a fertile ground where ideas can grow unrestrained, allowing us to push our design ideas beyond conventional boundaries and explore theories that pique our interest.

We aim to push the boundaries of architectural concepts and explore various forms of architecture. Architecture competitions also help us build networks with professionals and share design ideas within the industry.

Participating in architecture competitions opens doors to diverse projects beyond my regular work scope. The research and learning throughout these contests not only deepened my grasp of architectural design but also expanded my understanding of different cultures and societies.

Architecture competitions are an opportunity to push forward our ideas and continue being a student. It lets you explore your creativity. It’s also an opportunity to get familiar with other tools and softwares that we want to improve.

For us, competitions are an opportunity to showcase our ideas and confront challenges that we would never encounter otherwise. It is a break from ordinary life and a way for us to fulfill our creative desires.

We envision competitions as a means to express and communicate our vision of life through architecture. We feel the need to participate in competitions as a constant practice, reinforcing our methodology, enhancing verbal and visual communication skills, and embracing creativity.

Architectural competitions are very different from the daily projects I've encountered. The nature of these competitions allows me to explore, reflect, learn, create, and experiment with new ideas and skills. Throughout the process, I've also had the chance to refine and develop my own beliefs and narratives about architecture.

Competitions offer architects a platform to explore innovative and experimental design ideas that may not be possible in typical commissioned projects. They allow us to push the boundaries of our creativity and test new concepts. Additionally, competitions can be a valuable learning experience, enabling us to receive feedback from juries and improve our skills.

We want to share and express our thoughts on architecture and design with the world, hoping that, through this, we can bring about some positive changes to society.

HONORABLE MENTION
Competition MICROHOME 6

Participating in architecture competitions has not only enabled us to explore various approaches for our own projects but has also allowed us to share our processes and receive valuable feedback from different perspectives. Overall, this experience enriches us and provides an opportunity to explore new concepts, pushing our boundaries.

For us, competitions provide a testing ground for ideas which may not have an immediate market. It allows for broad speculation on emerging realities which are not yet known. It gives us an opportunity to integrate our academic research into our professional work without the restrictions imposed by a client.

We participate in competitions to challenge and test seemingly impossible ideas.

We participate in architecture competition to challenge ourselves to design innovative programs.

I decided to participate in an architectural competition because as a young architect, it is an opportunity to confront my point of view with real life. It was also an opportunity for me to concretize a process and a methodology. For me, the culture of experience is what makes an architect, and these competitions are good ways to confront the concrete.

HONORABLE MENTION
Competition MICROHOME 6

Participating in contests means being constantly active, thinking, designing, and dreaming of new possibilities. Attempting to solve design challenges through contests speeds up thought processes and provides the space to be exceptionally creative.

Architectural competitions allow us to challenge ourselves with diverse design approaches. They also provide an opportunity to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world practice. Overall, this creates an exciting environment for us to experiment and explore unconventional ideas, which we truly enjoy.

We both have a strong passion for sharing ideas, fostering creativity and collaborating. This led us to seize the great opportunity to work together. For us it is important to keep exploring unconventional thinking, different settings, and new frameworks beyond our usual projects.

Participation in architecture competitions opens up creative horizons to other fields beyond our current work environment and keeps us updated and informed about non-conventional topics. It also stimulates creativity and explores new research possibilities.

I think it is a great way to explore new situations, needs, and challenges, and in doing so, grow and become more aware of the broader world we live and create in.

HONORABLE MENTION

I chose to engage in architecture competitions as a means of broadening my horizons, thinking outside the box, and combating burnout. Competitions, in my view, offer a platform for expressing and showcasing our ideas. They provide an opportunity to break free from conventional constraints and explore innovative design concepts.

HONORABLE MENTION

To me, every architecture competition is an uncharted journey and a challenge. Competitions help us think from a wider variety of perspectives that we never did before.

HONORABLE MENTION

It was an interesting and challenging exercise where we had the chance to combine our different experiences in a joint project.

Competitions are extremely beneficial in testing and challenging an architect’s perspective and abilities. For architecture students, competitions offer a valuable opportunity to design beyond the constraints of academic curriculum or professional restrictions.

Competitions enable us to explore innovative design approaches, push our creative boundaries, and demonstrate our ability to create spaces that enhance the experience within a harmonious and inspiring environment.

We participate in architecture competitions because they provide us with an arena in which we can play gracefully with ideas. Competitions challenge us to make design decisions always in relation to people and to place, and they encourage us to consider the material, structural, and anthropological implications of architecture.

3RD AND SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

Competitions always allow you to see many different perspectives on one task. You can see many different ideas that you have not considered yourself and are always a great source of inspiration and new experience.

This is the first time we have taken part in such an architectural competition. We are interested in the topic of a conscious ecological approach in tourism and construction, as well as the beauty of the nature of the Latvian coast. This topic combines our love for nature and interest in spiritual practices.

Our team participated in an architecture competition to seize the opportunity to explore various topics beyond what we could learn in school. Additionally, we embarked on this project to compete on the global stage and share diverse ideas with the worldwide community. These experiences have allowed us to take a step forward in our growth before graduation.

HONORABLE MENTION
Authors

Hyosik Kim, Changjoo Lee and Youngjun Lee from South Korea!

The competitions allow the freedom to explore conceptual ideas and transform your ideas into forward thinking and innovative designs.

The architectural competition is a training opportunity to push the unrealistic projects in the mind to reality through step-by-step deliberation exercises. And this kind of opportunity is particularly valuable for our students. It breaks away from the school's training logic, so that we can have the opportunity to show this logic combined with our own understanding.

As architecture students, we are always looking for ways to challenge our creativity and hone our design skills. Design competitions allow us to exercise our abilities in design and software, as well as give us more opportunity to work with a team and collaborate towards a common goal.

We love space for thoughts and money to live.

Architecture competitions play a vital role in expanding our horizons beyond daily work settings. They create a space for creativity and exploration, allowing us to integrate innovation, sustainability, and humanity into our designs.

Architecture competitions gives us an opportunity to work outside our comfort zones. To explore a new societal way of life and understand the complexities of designing that lie around them. It is one of the few mediums that allows architects to go wild with their imagination, designing your unique vision of how you see the world.

Competitions are a unique platform in which you can test ideas and skills which you may not be able to test otherwise and, all with a deadline so you can reward yourself with a wine at the end - just like in the real world!

We see architecture competitions as an opportunity to engage with ideas, clientele, and geographies that are different and removed from those we regularly encounter in our practice.

As an architect, I participate in architecture competitions primarily to challenge myself creatively and intellectually. Competitions provide a unique opportunity to explore innovative ideas, push the boundaries of design, and break away from the constraints of traditional projects.

HONORABLE MENTION

Participating in an architecture competition is an opportunity to introduce myself to the world. Additionally, through participation in the contest, I receive an objective evaluation and an indicator that my design is heading in the right direction.

HONORABLE MENTION

We like the fact that competitions help to create new and high-quality projects. For the client, it means offering multiple answers to a specific brief, which pushes the quality of the final design validated by multiple solutions.

Competitions are a good challenge, not only for professional growth but also for personal development. They provide an opportunity to step away from routine and do something unusual. Additionally, it's a great way to learn something new about another country's culture and people.

Competitions provide me with opportunities to practice my skills and can also help me find potential opportunities to enhance my career. Sometimes, competitions offer unique and attractive programs that I have never experienced before, such as the Olive Guest House competition.

CLIENT FAVOURITE AWARD

Architecture competitions serve as a powerful tool to enhance the creative process. I also believe that they provide a virtual journey to different places, allowing us to immerse ourselves in their customs, aromas, landscapes, and diverse architectures. This experience serves as a prelude to the project and enriches the design exploration.

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

In our opinion, architecture competitions provide a wonderful opportunity to challenge ourselves by engaging in unconventional projects around the world. We thoroughly enjoy exploring different cultures, and architecture competitions serve as a means to do just that.

For us, participating in architecturecompetitionsmeanshaving the opportunity to find new alternative and sustainablesolutions for each project weundertake. Multidisciplinarity and innovation are the constant approaches in our research, in order to define new solutions for a less environmental impact of architecture.

What we find very exciting about the architectural endeavor is its unique existence between theory and practice, and we are eager to combine our academic knowledge with practical experience. This means that we seek the opportunity to continually test our theoretical assumptions against reality.

We have developed a strong foundation in teamwork and self-challenge since our university days, as we believe in learning from others. Engaging in architecture competitions, even with ongoing commissions, allows us to expand our knowledge, explore new territories, test and exchange ideas, and tackle design issues that may not arise in our everyday work.

We occasionally participate in competitions that align with our professional interests and visions. We view them as exercises, opportunities to delve back into research mode, self-educate, and enhance our skills. Competitions enable us to refine our ideas and showcase them without the constraints of a client or budget.

I participate in architectural competitions for several reasons. Firstly, they provide valuable experiences that expand my ideas and allow me to explore new concepts. Secondly, they serve as a platform for young architects like myself to discover our professional identities and develop innovative projects.

I have participated in several architectural competitions with the purpose of not only winning awards but, more importantly, challenging myself and stepping out of my comfort zone. This allows me to continuously engage in critical thinking and remain focused on design.

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

At CEB, we participate in architecture competitions for several reasons. Firstly, it provides us with an opportunity to compete with established companies, showcasing our skills and making a distinctive contribution. Secondly, we highly value the experience of competing with renowned names in the architecture community and receiving their feedback.

Architecture competitions of this nature enable individuals to challenge and offer fresh approaches to existing design dogmas. They provide an incredible opportunity to break away from conventional means of execution and present a different perspective to a wider audience.

We participate in architecture vision competitions when we have spare time during our school work. The value we derive from participating in these competitions is that they enhance our vision, challenge us to consider design issues that we may not encounter within the university, and introduce new ideas into our future careers.

We don’t normally enter a lot of competitions, but we were looking for a challenge for our team on the side of the commissioned work. A project with a little more freedom that we could use to test some new software and workflows within the office.

As mentioned before, we have a strong interest in exploring the field of architecture for elderly people, which is the main reason for our participation in this topic. Additionally, competitions provide a valuable platform for young architects to express their opinions, which may be perceived as naive but are worthy of being heard.

Architecture competitions are like playgrounds where you must allow yourself to drift without a compass or a stopwatch. They provide opportunities to explore unknown paths, igniting our imaginations and thoughts. It's a chance to experiment with new scales, both in terms of design and the various ways in which it can be represented.

I participate in architectural competitions because I believe it is a way to stimulate the creative mind. It presents new challenges with unique programs, uses, and locations. I enjoy witnessing the diverse proposals and ideas from other designers while also sharing my own.

Architecture competitions are a good way to break routines and project without the restrictions of everyday work. They help encourage architects to express themselves in different ways and propose less conventional ideas.

Competition projects serve as the perfect laboratory for us to imagine and test new ideas, serving various purposes. For the organizer/initiator of the competition, we strive to present a different, unique, yet always fitting and realistic idea to address the challenges of the design brief.

We appreciate the fact that competitions contribute to the creation of new and high-quality projects. For the client, this means having access to multiple answers for a specific brief, which enhances the quality of the final design by validating it through various solutions.

We join the competition for the reason that it provides us with a platform to inspire our passion and create works freely. Architects often face multiple restrictions in their routine work due to various reasons.

Architecture competitions are an opportunity for Atelier L’Abri to explore new ideas, foster innovation and showcase the workshop’s creative capabilities and expertise.

One brief, multiple answers. Competitions broaden our views, revealing the multitude of approaches that can be taken to address the same question, thus transforming it into a powerful learning experience.

Participating in architectural competitions is a form of expression, similar to painting or performing. It provides me with the opportunity to explore and interrogate exciting concepts while developing my design and representation skills. Particularly as I delve deeper into professional practice, competitions serve as a refreshing outlet that keeps me engaged with my curious nature.

HONORABLE MENTION

Competitions provide a platform for architects to explore new concepts, technologies, and materials, encouraging creative and innovative thinking. For instance, in the "Home of Shadow" project, we discovered that the absence of natural light enhances the connection between humans and nature while deepening our understanding of low-carbon and sustainable development.

We humbly participate in architecture competitions, acknowledging the valuable opportunities they provide for our growth and learning. These competitions allow us to challenge ourselves, refine our skills, and broaden our horizons.

HONORABLE MENTION

We have actively participated in architectural competitions to enhance our overall knowledge of architecture. Additionally, we strive to engage in larger-scale competitions to test our skills and gauge the extent of our current knowledge.

As students, architecture competitions provide us with a valuable opportunity to apply what we learn in a real-world context beyond the school environment. They allow us to take risks, engage in discussions, develop our ideas, and explore our own unique understanding of architecture.

We enjoy participating in architecture competitions because, to us, it feels like play. Regardless of the outcome, it is a wonderful experience to derive joy from the process of designing, particularly as a group of close friends.

Architectural skills provide us with the opportunity to consistently exercise high levels of conceptualization for a project.

You have the opportunity to challenge yourself to the maximum, refining and sharpening your skills, from the inception of the idea to the most expressive and honest way of conveying it. I have always believed that the anonymity offered by international architecture competitions is extremely important.

Competitions challenge us to constantly push ourselves and reach new heights with each step we take. Needless to say, they help develop and refine our raw qualities.

Architectural competitions challenge us to think beyond the everyday constraints of projects in our office and local conditions. We find this incredibly valuable for expanding our design process, thinking, and methods of working. Researching and considering new typologies and locations is invaluable for the growth of our practice and team.

We participate in competitions because it allows us to expand upon our own interests into new typologies. It gives us the ability to express our own individuality in a project that could otherwise be suppressed by hierarchical structures in a professional practice.

I enjoy participating in architecture competitions for several reasons. The primary reason is to gain experience. I have observed that with each competition I enter, regardless of the outcome, my knowledge and problem-solving abilities expand significantly.

HONORABLE MENTION

Competitions provide an ideal platform to nurture our creativity and explore new solutions. They allow us to discover new programs, develop innovative ideas, and break free from the constraints imposed by clients. Competitions enable us to be more radical, pushing us to develop concepts and ideas that may be more challenging and theoretical in nature.

Through gaining experience and building our portfolio, we cultivate self-motivation in our shared field of interest, potentially preparing ourselves to venture into our own business. Architecture competitions balance the conceptual image with the realization of construction, helping us maintain the necessary design sensitivity and stimulate our creativity.

We participate in competitions as they provide a great platform to stimulate and explore the creative potential of architecture. As recent graduates, competitions allow us to further develop and learn in a team-based environment, working within the parameters of the brief and critically questioning architectural processes and interventions.

During our time as undergraduate students, participating in architecture competitions enabled us to immerse ourselves in the design world and develop valuable skills in collaboration, time management, and graphic representation. To this day, we continue to enter architecture competitions as a means of exploring experimental and unconventional design. 

For us architectural competitions are a way to test and exchange ideas and approaches, grow professionally as well as an opportunity to realise our own projects and get publicity.

I participate in architecture competitions because they provide an opportunity to embrace new design challenges.

First and foremost, our primary goal is to enhance our architectural design skills through participation in competitions.

To enhance our abilities in architectural thinking and the design process, we aim to study the latest trends in architectural visualization.

Engaging in architectural competitions on various topics provides an opportunity for personal development and expanding knowledge. Through these competitions, one can acquire new experiences.

Participating in architecture competitions offers us a platform where our creativity knows no bounds and where opportunities abound, beyond the limitations of traditional design work. It allows us to imagine the unimaginable, delve into complex themes, and question the obvious, creating an exhilarating architectural journey.

We perceive architectural competitions as an opportunity to enhance our design skills, enabling us to create functional projects that resonate with our own identity and propel us into the future.

We strongly believe that contests are the most effective means of acquiring knowledge. While working in a design firm is valuable for honing professional skills, it often restricts creative freedom. Design competitions, on the other hand, foster idea generation and provide creative suggestions.

Competitions are a good way to improve working on complex tasks in a short period of time. We chose this competition because we saw it as an opportunity to experiment with “bigness” and arrange an enormous density to a human scale.

Competitions offer a unique opportunity to fulfill our deep-seated passion for creative exploration and experimentation, allowing us to grow as designers.

Participating in competitions is a way of testing myself. It is one way to learn how to convince people, how to think of questions and restrictions, and to improve digital skills.

Architecture competitions provide us with a unique opportunity to explore new ideas, enhance our abstract thinking, and enjoy in the purest form of creative expression what architecture embodies.

Competitions have always played a crucial role in nurturing my creative and technical abilities. I'm deeply committed to constantly refining and adapting my skills to meet the unique demands of each project.

Participating in the various competitions that are now on offer allows me as a student to work on different phases/subjects that I have not yet explored. Moreover, it is a way to challenge myself individually. It is almost a way to reinterpret contemporary architecture to one's own perception, to push the ordinary to the extraordinary due to a certain form of freedom.

On one hand we can address some of the contemporary problems, on the other we can test our ideas relating to geometry, presentation, function or typology.

In the architecture contest, you encounter and challenge new things other than learning architecture at school. Team members review what they each learned in the design studio, apply and negotiate in a new way, and complete projects that could not be created alone. The whole process is not smooth and difficult, but there are definitely gains.

3RD AND STUDENT PRIZE

Architecture Competitions give me the opportunity to have a break from my everyday projects and express my architectural intentions more freely. Furthermore it gives me a more clear idea of that kind of architect I want to become and develop my creativity and my tools one step further.

Architecture competitions offer me opportunities to think about future buildings and cities, to explore the boundaries of architecture, to study how new technologies can impact architecture.

Designing a spontaneous architecture, strong of meaning, uses and materiality. To explore new geographical territories, to research about construction systems and materials that we do not encounter in our projects. Discover and connect with cultures, different peoples, maintain way of thinking and know-how.

Architecture competitions are icebreakers, relieving the pressure to create something realistic to uncover magical ideas. One of the easiest things to do in design is to be stuck repeating what works, I believe the best work is often found outside that status quo. Competitions are opportunities to break that repetition.

HONORABLE MENTION

I participate in architecture competitions since the first year of my university. For me it is a way of challenging myself as an architect. Competitions provide me an opportunity to explore new design ideas and push boundaries beyond the constraints of a typical project. Additionally, participating in competitions is my way to engage and learn from architecture community.

HONORABLE MENTION

For us the participation in an architecture competition is a unique opportunity where you can follow your passions, work creatively and explore on your own responsibility.

Projects for competitions are a manifesto of pure creativity. They appreciate the courage of thought, the unexpectedness of the ideas. The main point is to offer a bright, clear concept, and adaptation to the features of the real physical world is the following step. Which may not follow at all.

It is the first competition I have participated in. The topic that I worked on was very personal and I felt like I had something important to say. I am planning to take part in more competitions in the near future. I think that competitions give us the possibility to test new ideas and change the way we think and we design.

HONORABLE MENTION

We believe that it is important to participate in competitions as a working professional, because they keep you tethered to the importance of design and narrative so that as you grow, you understand how pragmatic reality and conceptual design come together to help make you a more powerful thinker and competent maker as an architect.

I participate in competitions partly to develop my skills in designing narrative spaces and to hone my craft in representation. Prompts I am drawn to exist outside of the reality of a traditional brief for a built project as they stimulate creative impetus in a way that is difficult to source outside of academia or intentional collectives.

I participated in a competition because I enjoy contemplating interesting topics and expanding my perspectives. Additionally, when I see the works of others in the competition, it sparks my interest in new viewpoints and methods of expression that I may not have been aware of before.

HONORABLE MENTION

The open-ended briefs of architecture competitions allows us to imagine and speculate futures, as well as test them with the methods and tools we’ve learned from the discipline.

Architecture competitions are unique experiences for young and experienced professionals to trigger and revitalize their professional dynamics and to recognize themselves and even push their limits.

Architect is a thinker; we should use our knowledge from what we learned to share the ideas to the society. And Buildner gives us an opportunity to do so.

We love to explore the world of architecture through unique themes. Especially in this competition, for us, the brief of Memorial for Witches is very interesting. This competition encourages us to build a strong idea about injustice uniquely.

You are given the chance to challenge yourself to the maximum, to refine and sharpen your skills, from the birth of the idea to the most expressive and honest way of transmitting it.

Joining architecture competitions let us jump out of daily practice once a while and the process of brainstorming really provided us more inspiration and insights. Also, it made us pay more attention to the society around us and expanded the scope of architecture itself.

I find it a good reason to flex your mind creatively and see where you stand in relation to the collective order of things within the profession. The fixed deadline and topic forces you to operate in a way as you would with a client but with much greater freedom.

We see the competition as a place to connect with fellow artists who share same passion about architectural visualization as our team.

Participating in architecture competitions has been an important part of my personal and professional development as an architect. These competitions have allowed me to explore different techniques and approaches to design, including visualization, communication, typology, and more.

HONORABLE MENTION

Architecture competitions are a good way for me to prepare for later working life. They are also fun and a challenge because you always have a new task or topic to deal with over a certain period of time. I think you always acquire new skills and learn from them.

With the multitude of architects and designers on the rise in this day and age, architecture competitions provide an excellent platform for students and professionals in the field to showcase their best work.

Some of competitions that are different from traditional architecture, especially interaction design and interdisciplinary art. These give us more creative possibilities and space to explore.

I participate in architecture competitions because it can give a work direction, focus and a set time frame. I find this gives me a space and an arena to bring forward ideas that otherwise might continue to float around without ever reaching their full potential.

We participate in architecture competitions because they are an exciting opportunity to learn and experiment with novel ideas. We also enjoy how architecture’s creative design process necessitates research in order to familiarize oneself with different environments and cultures.

Competitions are challenging and allow us to gain experience by playing with our creativity.

I participate in architecture vision competitions when i find extra time in my academical work. Competitions in architecture are an excellent method to test out strategies, explore individual interests, and exercise more creative flexibility.

HONORABLE MENTION

"Sometimes in the capitalist world it’s hard to bring your own voice while working on commercial projects. We, architects are lucky that there are available competitions where we can express our creativity and leave the commercial boundaries behind. For me right now it is a perfect way to explore my limits in an international context."

Honorable mention

While design assignments within schools often have a lot of rules and regulations, competitions allow us to maximize our whims. Participating in architecture competitions has helped us develop our passion for architectural design, so that we would not lose ourselves in rigid academic projects.

It is because I am curious about the thoughts of people in other cultures and want to share them.

HONORABLE MENTION

Competitions are opportunities to develop other ways of doing things and to reflect on subjects that differ from the demands of traditional sponsors. For the agency, this has always made it possible to freely explore fields of ideas and to shape new concepts.

BUILDNER SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

I was interested in the topic itself.

3RD PRIZE

We participate in architecture competitions to be able to test out our ideas and our will to create. Additionally, it provides us with a platform for not only exploration but also growth and put us in a critical condition. In academia, or even in practice, the brief and the learning outcomes are already set out prior. With architecture competitions, we can pick and choose what sort of briefs interests us.

It would take a good psychologist to know. Something magical and fascinating happens during architectural competitions. Just think of two people who have never met, do not speak the same language, live in different places, at different times, and despite this they communicate with each other.

We participate in competitions because they are fun. A group of us gets together and researches a brief that gets us excited. Each competition entails research, experimentation, ideas and conversations. 

I think that it allows myself to go a step further and get out of the profile of projects that I have usually been able to face.

This is a new and exciting experience that differs from our usual workflow. Architects usually refer to participation in competitions as leaving their comfort zone. For us, in Ukraine in 2022, this competition was actually an opportunity to return to our comfort zone. A chance to practice our creativity and switch attention from the context of war we live in. 

We both believe that an architecture competition is a great opportunity to challenge ourselves and work on designs that develop our creativity. They force us to respond to problems we might have never come across during our education or professional life as architects. Moreover, it is an opportunity to share ideas internationally and compare your work with other design propositions.

I personally participate in competitions because it allow me to get out of my comfort zone and experiment with new challenges. By pushing myself to explore new ideas and approaches, I find new inspiration and approaches to design that I can bring back to my regular work.

HONORABLE MENTION

Challenges are an integral part of a designer's experience, and I believe that they are essential for growth and development. I find it particularly meaningful to tackle architectural design competitions, as they provide an opportunity to test my skills and creativity in a competitive environment.

HONORABLE MENTION

We participate in competitions in order to work without too strict boundaries, but still within a given task and a set of goals. Competitions allow us to test and stretch rules to achieve a better solution in the context. 

It was an exciting experience and the opportunity to convey ideas through the prism of your worldview. We've got out of our comfort zone in a way, had valuable interactions with the newly formed team, and enjoyed fascinating research and analysis of new information – everything we hoped to get out of the competition and more.

It would take a good psychologist to know. Something magical and fascinating happens during architectural competitions. Just think of two people who have never met, do not speak the same language, live in different places, at different times, and despite this they communicate with each other.

As young architects, competitions are greate opportunities to test out your imaginary ideas and visually communicate with the world. We also learn a lot from competitions through collaborating with the team as our different ideas constantly benefit each other.

We enjoy participating in competitions, as the thinking process during competitions allow us to push boundaries and experiment, and those experimentations can certainly create the unusual and spectacular.

Working in competitions challenge me to jump out of my comfort zone. To work on projects that are in a different context than my usual work. It is also a great way to test out my skills in problem-solving and graphic communication.

CLIENT FAVOURITE AWARD

We think that architecture competition is a really productive way for students to experience the architectural design workflow in the real world.

Architecture competition is field of opportunity to testify your architectural knowledge and aesthetic perception through out rapid pace of design process. From this process, you can strengthen your design ability by exploring yourself to the ocean of idea that you have never experienced. Also, it is the best resource for us to express our design capability to the public.

Participating in competitions helps us make these discoveries. We exchanged existing design principles during these processes, discovered new design methodologies, and disputed new techniques and materials. Regarding architecture as a living organism, and giving each part of the building a definition in biology is the new methodology we found, and is effective for connecting each part.

Architectural competitions allow a sense of freedom to test my own ideas and inventions, free from client constraints and agendas of office life. To me, they provide the perfect training and challenge of my own architectural ability and provide a welcome break for architectural self-reflection.

We are extremely glad about this result, and we hope that this success will enable us to develop our collective. At the very least, the competition will help us create common basis for our urban and architectural approach, and debate about the shared values that we want to express across our architectural practice.

It’s great field for exchange views and thoughts based on the work put into the design processes. It's not about competing, it’s about our self develop.

The competition presents us with a rare opportunity to broaden our design philosophy through the investigation of innovative architectural ideas and the resolution of new and diverse design challenges. At LMTLS, we view this competition as a platform for experimentation and a means to continually refine and evolve our design philosophy and approach.

We participate in architectural competitions to test ourselves on the international stage. During our studies, we mainly design in Poland. Competitions, especially international ones, allow us to encounter other cultures with different building and aesthetic needs.

Architectural competitions allow us to develop proposals focusing on fundamental architectural concepts and open up new fields and ideas that are not always available within conventional practice.

Competition work is an opportunity to engage with often interesting narratives and contexts outside of your everyday experience.

HONORABLE MENTION

It is an opportunity to challenge ourselves and think in unconventional ways, working with other themes, settings, and frames than what our common projects provide. It is not every day we are asked to design dwellings for bats for example.

CLIENT FAVORITE AWARD

I wasn't entirely satisfied with my academic projects, and so external competitions were both a way of improving my skills in designing, and also served as an act of redemption to prove myself.

SUSTAINABILITY AND STUDENT AWARD

Collaboration elevates design quality by fostering a broad range of perspectives and creative problem-solving by integrating the design approach of various architects. Competitions produce demanding programmes that call for these original and comprehensive concepts. By participating in architecture competitions, we hope to promote improved design quality through collaborative design.

Participating in competitions allows me to focus on conceptual thinking. I always try to pick something new, a subject or a programme I haven’t had the chance to approach before, so I learn a lot in doing research this way. It is an excellent way to better your concept approach, learning about new technologies, adding a great project to your portfolio, etc.

Through architectural competitions, we can better, and to some extent more freely, show our creativity. Even many buildings that are difficult to realize in real life can be boldly attempted in architectural competitions, which also promotes the development of the architectural industry to a certain extent and provides more possibilities for architectural design.

We think that entering an architecture competition like this means exploring new and innovative design ideas, without the constraints that other types of projects often have. It is very important to take advantage of the opportunity to discuss and study the most current themes of architectural research.

We see competitions as a challenge of our strength and potential. It goes beyond the boundaries of a real project and inspires us to explore our creativity, energy, and new techniques.

By participating in the competitions, it is great opportunity to go out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself. It can help broaden your horizons and creativity. By participating in international competitions, it is possible to learn and understand the wonders of the culture of other countries through their architecture.

We decided to participate in architecture competitions because it allows us to think creatively without any constraints, especially when we are faced with projects that might be out of our comfort zone. Therefore, we can have fun while also challenging ourselves to enhance our potential.

We feel architecture competitions are beneficial to the participants because they allow for feedback and the exchange of ideas without the confines of working in practice.

While participating in architecture competitions, we can utilize all possible and impossible ways to try to provide our help and visions for real social issues or personal requirements for specific locations, programs, and functions.

I'm taking part in architecture competitions because I enjoy developing new ideas and turning them into designs.

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

Personally, I see architecture competitions as an intellectual delight and a way to acknowledge and measure the current practices on an international basis. Also, it is a way to improve my skills of design and graphic representation and keep them at the sharpest level.

Competition is the moment to be involved in different themes and scale, sometimes to do pure research with less constraints of real world, sometimes to confront with projects about your professional interests to indagate new solutions.

Architecture competitions of this nature allow anyone to challenge and provide a fresh approach to existing design dogmas. It is an incredible chance to step away from the conventional means of execution and present a different perspective to a broader audience. It helps to facilitate change in the profession through exposure and discussion, as well as one’s own professional growth.

In our view, architecture competitions challenge their participants to reconsider their point of view and to find new ways of thinking and designing. They also give a chance to collaborate with professionals from different fields and gain new insights into the built environment.

Architecture competitions are a fun way to challenge our thinking and improve our skills. Participating in competitions gives us an opportunity to work with architecture without the constraints of permits, policies and regulations. It is fun to push the boundaries of what architecture can be.

This has been our first time participating in an architectural competition as a team. Although sometimes loosely based on reality, competitions let us go all-out and experiment with ideas and concepts we wouldn’t be able to carry out realistically.

By taking part in architectural competitions, we are given the opportunity of a different approach to each project, as there is a freedom in design that is often not affected by regulations, giving us the opportunity to expand our horizons and take our idea a step further.

I believe participating in architecture competitions is a way for me to do more innovative thinking and get out from my comfort zone. It is challenging and fun at the same time.

3RD AND SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

It is about the assemblage of form that has the ability to stir emotion and change preconceived notions about space.

We are 4 students from Cairo, Egypt. We are very passionate about architecture. It is a job and a hobby for most of us. We love participating in such competitions that stimulate creativity and discover new things through architectural elements. We enjoyed this competition very much.

Architecture competitions provide an opportunity to explore specific topics in a research-like manner. Experimentation, in these cases, can be more advanced, with positive spin-offs on other projects as well.

HONORABLE MENTION

Competitions are the opportunity to get immerse in new world projects, in understading new cultures, and to let our minds create with no limits (or fewer).

Architectural competitions are a great way to broaden your own horizons. In addition, it is a good way to exchange design philosophies with other students and professionals. We are constantly looking for new architectural challenges.

We do enjoy the chance to challenge ourselves. We like to think out of the box, test our strengths and endurance. We love to collaborate, share ideas and be creative.

To express the creative side in me and challenge my own style and views on architecture.

HONORABLE MENTION

I wanted to challenge and express myself in a project carried out autonomously without university supervision.

STUDENT AND SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

We like to participate in architecture competitions because the proposals are always very interesting and allow us to experiment with new concepts in different places.

I think architecture competitions are very importante to chalenge my day to day work and take me out of my comfort zone. The start of a new project is always very exciting and the competition format, where we only get feedback in the end, makes it even more thriling.

We believe that competitions develop architectural practice. We are excited to work in different subjects and fields. Seeing different approaches on the subjects studied gives us new perspectives. We also enjoy developing projects.

1ST AND CLIENT FAVOURITE AWARD