The city center of Peja, Kosovo, hosts a historically significant site that has long been a focal point for community gatherings and social interactions. Rich in cultural and recreational elements, this central location, originally designed for leisure and relaxation, has been an integral part of the urban landscape. One of its most notable features is an ancient water source dating back to the 15th century, which remains under the protection of the Ministry of Culture of Kosovo. Despite its historical and cultural importance, the site has been neglected for years, falling into disrepair and disuse. The Peja Culture Pavilion competition aims to revitalize this area, transforming it into a vibrant public hotspot.
Image: Peja, a city nestled at the foot of the Rugova Mountains in western Kosovo, is renowned for its natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. The city is one of the oldest in Kosovo, with a history that dates back to ancient times. Peja is home to numerous historical landmarks, including the Patriarchate of Peć, a medieval Serbian Orthodox monastery that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This site, along with others in the region, underscores Peja’s historical significance and its role as a cultural crossroads in the Balkans.
The Peja Culture Pavilion competition is spearheaded by Collective Action for Culture in partnership with the Ministry of Culture of Kosovo and the Municipality of Peja. Collective Action for Culture is known for organizing Rrugë Fest, a cultural initiative that rejuvenates urban spaces through artistic expression and community involvement. With the support from these partners, the organization aims to empower artists, engage residents, and transform neglected areas into lively cultural destinations.
Situated in the heart of Peja, Kosovo, the competition site is a historically significant area centrally located in the city. The site is characterized by its rich historical context, enveloped by the vibrant urban fabric of Peja. The proximity to significant cultural landmarks and the bustling city center provides a unique setting for the design. Despite its historical and cultural importance, the site has been neglected for years, falling into disrepair and disuse. The Peja Culture Pavilion competition aims to revitalize this area, transforming it into a vibrant public hotspot.
The focal point of the Peja Culture Pavilion competition is the ancient 15th-century water fountain, a historically significant artifact reflecting Peja's long and storied past. This water fountain, preserved over centuries, serves as a vital cultural and historical landmark. Participants are encouraged to propose new designs that integrate and celebrate this water fountain, making it a central and vital part of their overall design proposals.
There are no specific site restrictions for the Peja Culture Pavilion competition; however, the position of the 15th-century water fountain must be respected. Participants are free to propose any design for the fountain as long as it is preserved and integrated into the overall design.
The competition seeks innovative ideas to transform the site into a lively participatory public area. The primary objective is to design a flexible multipurpose pavilion and an engaging outdoor space that revitalizes the area. The pavilion should serve as a cultural center that not only integrates the 15th-century water fountain but also enhances its historical importance. The pavilion should provide a versatile environment for social events, art activities, and community gatherings. Additionally, the outdoor space should be designed to become a vibrant public hotspot, fostering social interactions and cultural engagement.
Design proposals should balance contemporary architectural advancements with historical conservation, emphasizing the water fountain's historical significance. Proposals should utilize environment-friendly materials and sustainable construction methods, ensuring the site honors its past while embracing modern needs.
Through this competition, the organizers aim to breathe new life into this historically rich site, making it a central point of community activity and cultural pride once again. The revitalized area will honor its historical roots, particularly the ancient water fountain, while paving the way for a vibrant and sustainable future.
Download the full competition brief for more information!
Competition is open to all. No professional qualification is required. Design proposals can be developed individually or by teams (4 team members maximum). Correspondence with organizers must be conducted in English; All information submitted by participants must be in English.
The full competition brief can be downloaded as often as required; no additional information will be provided after registration.
(!) Full Competition Brief
5,000 €
2,500 €
1,000 €
Buildner will acknowledge the outstanding performance of all winners and honourable mentions with Certificates of Achievement.
Buildner's publicity campaign offers extensive exposure to the architectural community, ensuring that the results of the competition are seen by a vast audience:
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.
Winners will have the opportunity to submit a movie and an interview, boosting their recognizability and helping to build their name in the industry.
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
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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Jury 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]
Archi-Tectonics
USA
Trahan Architects
USA
principal and director of design, Voith & Mactavish Architects
USA
Ísdal Arkitektúr
Iceland
University of Prishtina
Kosovo
KWY studio
Portugal
Peja Municipality
Kosovo
OMA
Netherlands
BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group
United States
In order to guarantee equal opportunities to all competition participants.
No new questions will be answered after this deadline.
In order to guarantee equal opportunities to all competition participants.
No new questions will be answered after this deadline.
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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.
