Total prize
50,000 €
+ realisation
Sculpt the Story.
Sculpt the Nation.
Across the country, ambitious initiatives are revitalizing cities and landscapes, honoring the past while embracing the future. Historic sites are being preserved, new urban developments are emerging, and cultural projects are flourishing—all working together to create a contemporary Saudi Arabia that is both forward-thinking and proud of its traditions. As the Kingdom grows into a global hub for art and creativity, it provides new platforms for artists, architects, and designers to contribute to its evolving landscape.
Learn more about Saudi culture and heritage through these resources
Since its launch in 2018, this prestigious competition has welcomed creative minds from around the world to design sculptures that reflect Saudi Arabia’s culture, heritage, and aspirations. These works of art are envisioned as meaningful additions to the urban landscape, enhancing public spaces and celebrating the Kingdom’s identity.
The 7th Competition Edition.
Two Sites.
Two Paths to Inspire.
Site 1
Abu Hadriyah Road
A major transportation corridor in the Eastern Province, stretching from the UAE border in the south to Kuwait in the north. It plays a crucial role in connecting Saudi Arabia with neighboring Gulf nations and serves as a primary entrance to Dammam, symbolizing movement, connectivity, and regional significance. This highly visible site offers an opportunity to create a landmark sculpture that reflects themes of progress and exchange.
Site 2
Tharwa Sea Front
Located in the Tharwa District of Al-Khobar, this vibrant urban waterfront merges modern city planning with the natural beauty of the Arabian Gulf. The Tharwa Corniche is a scenic promenade attracting both residents and visitors, offering a rich setting for public engagement and artistic expression. Sculptures here will interact with the coastal environment, enhancing the district’s identity as a destination for leisure, culture, and community gathering.
Join. Create. Inspire.
The Legacy of Winning Designs.
Below is the list of winners from the previous six editions of the competition.
Brief
The full competition brief can be downloaded as often as required; no additional information will be provided after registration.
Full Competition Brief
- PHOTO & VIDEO
- SITE PLANS
Meet your jury
Extended list of jury biographiesJury members shall under no circumstances be contacted by competition participants or their representatives. Participants who attempt to contact jury members, shall be disqualified.
All jury members are involved in the evaluation based on their availability at that time. All communication regarding the competition should only be carried out with Buildner staff. For any questions please contact us on [email protected]
Dr. Sumayah Al-Solaiman
Architecture and Design Commission
Saudi Arabia
Andrew Whalley
Grimshaw
United Kingdom
Eli Synnevåg
Snøhetta
Norway
Abdullah Al-Hajri
Eastern Province Municipality
Saudi Arabia
Al Motasem Attiyah
Clear Co Holding
Saudi Arabia
Dr. Ahmad AlSaifi
Ajdan Real Estate Development Company
Saudi Arabia
Ahmed Elgamal
BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group
United Kingdom
HH Princess Tarfa Al Saud
Diriyah Development Gate Authority
Saudi Arabia
Jemma Chidiac
Jemma Chidiac Architects
Lebanon
Prizes
50,000 €
Two sites. Two sets of winners.
The total prize fund for the Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge is 50,000 €, which will be divided equally between the two competition sites. Each site will award a total of 25,000 € to its winning proposals, distributed as follows:
12,000 €
Prize for each site’s winner8,000 €
Prize for each site’s winner5,000 €
Prize for each site’s winnerPublicity campaign
Buildner's publicity campaign offers extensive exposure to the architectural community, ensuring that the results of the competition are seen by a vast audience:
Buildner's two million
The results are published on buildner.com, a leading website in the architecture industry, attracting over one million unique visitors annually. Additionally, the campaign extends to Buildner's social networks, which boast over 800,000 followers combined, and through newsletter campaigns reaching over 200,000 subscribers.
Interview and movie
Winners will have the opportunity to submit a movie and an interview, boosting their recognizability and helping to build their name in the industry.
Extensive media network
Buildner leverages an extensive network of media industry leaders to publish the competition results. This broadens the audience further, ensuring that participants' work is showcased across multiple platforms known for their influence and reach in the architecture and design sectors.
Publicity
ArchDaily feature
As part of the collaboration between Buildner and ArchDaily, the competition winners will be showcased on ArchDaily, a leading architecture news platform.
This feature will greatly boost the winners' visibility to millions of architecture professionals and enthusiasts worldwide, increasing their chances for new opportunities, attracting new clients, and establishing their reputation in the industry.
Read more about Buildner and ArchDaily partnership
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Eligibility
This international competition is open to architects, artists, and creatives from all backgrounds. Whether you are an emerging talent, an established professional, or exploring a bold new idea, the Mujassam Watan Urban Sculpture Challenge welcomes your vision. All submissions must be completed in English to ensure fair evaluation.Key dates
Send reminders24 July 2025
30 July 2025
In order to guarantee equal opportunities to all competition participants.
No new questions will be answered after this deadline.
27 August 2025
1 October 2025
30 July 2025
In order to guarantee equal opportunities to all competition participants.
No new questions will be answered after this deadline.
Registration fees
STUDENT REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Contact us to receive special student rates for group registrations (discount applies for 3+ registrations from one university/school) and to receive further information and support for getting your students involved in architecture competitions. Send us request from your university email address along with basic information about yourself and your university/school. Please note that only recognized university staff can apply for the reduced student rate.
