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Architecture Competitions

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post updated 10 April 2025

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We feature the latest Architecture Competitions from around the world, updated daily to weekly.

Architecture Competitions in 2025

Recently Added Architectural Contests on e-architect – listed chronologically:

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Recently added on e-architect:

Sirius Master Plan International Architecture Competition

31 May 2025: Submission Deadline

THE MOST STELLAR MASTERPLAN

Following The Updated Strategy For Scientific And Technological Development Of The Russian Federation And In View Of The Preparation For The Next World Youth Festival, Sirius Is To Announce An International Competition To Develop A Masterplan For Two Innovative Districts.

Elena Shmeleva, Chair of the Sirius Federal Territory Council, announced an international architectural competition to develop a masterplan for two innovative districts at a time.

The competition is aimed at the strongest architectural bureaus and BRICS development institutions and contains the requirements of creating a world-class advanced scientific, technological and educational environment immersed in a unique water-climatic national park.

The announcement of the competition was made by Elena Shmeleva, Chair of the Sirius Federal Territory Council, in Kazan today, at the Plenary Session “Human-centered City: Space of Universal Well-being” of the ”Kazanysh” International Architecture and Construction Forum: “Sirius, as the National Methodological Centre for Talent Identification and Development, endowed with this status by order of the President of the Russian Federation, must meet the highest requirements of the most talented professionals for an environment in which their potential will be realized to the maximum. Therefore, together with its partners, Sirius is creating on the only Federal territory in Russia an innovative infrastructure for advanced development in the areas of education, culture, sports, science and domestic technologies. The Sirius Federal Territory occupies only 1,400 hectares, much of which is already built up. Limited space presents a challenge for further development, requiring thoughtful and efficient use of land resources.”

The masterplan development area includes two plots, of 23.1 hectares and 19.4 hectares respectively. It is planned to create the second stage of the scientific and technological campus of the Sirius University, as well as an innovative IT cluster.

The tender documentation takes into account the needs of the Innovative Science and Technology Centre residents and of the Sirius University partners, including the possibility of setting up pilot production facilities, engineering centers and data processing centers for the development of resource-saving energy, intelligent transport (including autonomous) and telecommunication systems, as well as for the development of technologies for the secure acquisition, storage, transmission and processing of information. In order to develop high-tech medicine, including personalized and preventive medical care, and to ensure healthy longevity, Sirius is creating a university medical cluster, as well as Russia’s first water-climatic national park.

The master plan will define key scenarios for the spatial organization and functional development of each of the districts. One of the main requirements for the architectural concepts is the application of carbon neutrality standards and the overall environmental friendliness of the projects, while maximizing the functionality and logistical connectivity of both districts, as well as their connection to other (existing and planned) facilities in the federal territory.

photo © MEDIADOM SIRIUS

A separate task and criterion for selecting contestants is the opportunity to create a fundamentally new landscape and park environment that continues the established Sirius’s concept of a new university city surrounded by a unique water-climatic national park.

“Kazanysh” was chosen as the platform for announcing the Competition as it is the largest architectural and construction forum in Russia and a unique international platform for interaction between industry professionals. This year it brought together more than 300 experts and seven thousand participants, including 60 foreign guests from 23 countries. They include mayors, chief architects and representatives of specialized universities from such countries as Brazil, India, China and South Africa.

The competition is organized on the initiative of the administration of the Sirius Federal Territory. The operator is the Agency for Strategic Development “CENTER”. Sergei Georgievskii, co-founder of the Agency, said: “Within the framework of the Competition, we attract leading Russian and foreign industry players. Foreign participants will have to work on proposals in co-operation. In this way, Sirius can count on the best ideas and solutions to help realize its mission. This is also a unique chance for foreign companies to contribute to the development of a territory like Sirius, which offers the greatest opportunities for the implementation of bold innovative projects. They will also be evaluated by leading internationally recognized experts. To ensure that the contestants are able to prepare the most viable masterplans possible, the Operator’s team will support and advise them in all areas throughout the Competition. The finalists will be able to familiarize themselves directly with the territory during special field trips”.

The competition will be held in two stages. Three finalists will be selected based on the results of the first stage. During the second stage, they will have to prepare both specific proposals on the vision of Sirius’s future and projects for the development of the territory. In the second stage, they will have to prepare specific proposals for the architectural appearance shaping the environment and future development projects of the Sirius area.

Leading industry professionals, including those from abroad, have been invited to join the Jury of the Competition. According to the digital tycoon, global digital transformation expert, strategic leader of smart city initiatives, Her Excellency Dr. Aisha Bint Buti Bin Bishr: “Digital technologies reshape various spheres of city life all over the Earth – from telecommunications and transport to education and healthcare. City leaders must do their best to insure that residents and visitors have access to the services, infrastructure and opportunities that will enable them to thrive. We must support each other, work with each other and learn from each other, if we are to make our cities comfortable, safe, efficient and impactful for all residents and visitors. I am confident that the International competition for development of a master plan of Sirius Federal territory blocks will contribute to our unified goal – to make difference for urban population across the globe.”

Applications will be accepted until May 31, 2025 on the official Competition website: siriusmasterplan.com

Location: Sirius, Krasnodar Krai, Russia

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Sirius Federal Territory

The territory is located on the Black Sea coast in the Imereti Lowland, between the Mzymta and Psou rivers, surrounded by the Caucasus Mountains and a nature reserve. It is a unique platform for the implementation of innovative projects and technologies. The strategy for its socio-economic development focuses on creating favorable conditions to attract developers, technology companies and entrepreneurs, professional artists and sportspeople to the federal territory.

This requires the creation of a competitive environment that provides a high quality of life and stimulates intensive creative and innovative activity. One of the main conditions for this is to achieve the goals of Technological Sovereignty of the Russian Federation – this is what will improve the quality of life
and the level of professional training of the specialists needed to achieve it.

Agency for Strategic Development “CENTER”

Russian analytical and consulting organization that implements complex projects in the sphere of development, urban planning and urbanism, one of the leading operators of architectural, urban planning and design competitions. Deals with issues of integrated development of territories and real estate objects, as well as of the quality of urban environment in 65 regions of Russia. The main activities of the company are elaboration of concepts of territorial development and functional programming of the environment; analytics and research; GR and public-private partnership; professional competitions in the sphere of town planning, architecture and design; organization of expert events and educational programmes; territorial branding.

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Kaira Looro 2025 Competition for Nursery Schools in Africa

May 15, 2025: Late Registration deadline

June 10, 2025: Submission Deadline deadline

Kaira Looro 2025 Competition

The lack of quality educational facilities in many rural areas of Sub-Saharan Africa poses a significant barrier to children’s development. Education plays a crucial role in nurturing cognitive skills, emo-tional growth, and social abilities, preparing them to face life’s challenges with resilience and crea-tivity. However, in many of these regions, children are deprived of these fundamental opportunities due to the absence of safe and stimulating environments.

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C40 Reinventing Cities Global Competition

Deadlines vary – many sites across the world.

15 cities join C40’s Reinventing Cities global competition to accelerate zero-carbon, resilient and inclusive urban development

• Reinventing Cities, C40’s global design competition for professionals, launched its fourth edition.

Reinventing Cities, C40’s global competition to transform under-utilised urban sites into innovative, zero-carbon and resilient urban projects, launched its fourth edition today. The new edition invites creative professionals worldwide—including architects, planners, developers, investors, environmentalists and start-ups—to design and develop urban projects of the future.

This year, 15 world-leading cities are calling on the private sector to collaborate, driving wider change in how cities are designed and built. Participating cities include: Almere, Bilbao, Bologna, Brussels, Glasgow, Milan, New York, Palermo, Renca, Rome, San Antonio, San Francisco, São Paulo, Seattle and Venice.

Sites to be transformed include creating a mixed-use, resilient and inclusive development surrounding the canal in Glasgow; supporting the 15-minute city vision in Rome; creating a more vibrant waterfront in Seattle; repurposing downtown office buildings into housing in San Francisco; designing green and thriving public spaces in São Paulo and more.

Winning projects stemming from the competition are highly ambitious regarding environmental and social benefits and go beyond business as usual. To date, Reinventing Cities has engaged over 3,500 businesses worldwide with 40 projects under development globally, demonstrating how urban climate leadership and collaboration with the private sector can enable zero-carbon development to serve the needs of local communities. Through this new edition, Reinventing Cities aims to grow momentum and engage even more actors in rethinking cities globally.

Mayor of New York Eric Adams said: “One of the most valuable resources we have here in New York City is our space — and this innovative pilot programme is the latest way that we’re maximising our space to deliver a healthier, more livable city to working-class New Yorkers. Through this programme, we’ll transform unused rooftop spaces into places that generate green energy and good, healthy food.”

Mayor of San Francisco London Breed said: “Through the Reinventing Cities Competition, we’re transforming under-utilised downtown buildings into a range of reimagined and sustainable spaces, including housing. This initiative not only reflects our dedication to meeting San Francisco’s unique challenges but also our commitment to advancing bold environmental goals as a global climate partner. Through C40, San Francisco joins cities around the world to think big by setting new benchmarks for sustainable development, greener economies, and a more resilient future for all.”

Deputy Mayor of Seattle Adiam Emery said: “Seattle is thrilled to partner with Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to create an exemplary redevelopment of the WOSCA site. This site presents unique opportunities because of its connections to the maritime sector, our new world-class waterfront open spaces, and the stadium district where we will host 2026 FIFA World Cup games. Redevelopment of this site can play an important role in the reactivation of downtown, which is a high priority for Mayor Bruce Harrell.”

Secretary of Transportation, Washington State Department of Transportation Roger Millar said: “C40 offers an incredible opportunity to bring together innovative and creative minds from around the world to leverage and re-imagine dormant property in the heart of Seattle. It’s fitting that a parcel of WSDOT owned land will now be part of a global collaborative process to re-imagine this space for multiple uses. WSDOT looks forward to working with all of the partners and neighbours we serve in the Seattle area to best leverage this opportunity for an outcome that best serves us all.”

Mayor of San Antonio Ron Nirenberg said: “The City of San Antonio is thrilled to partner with C40 for this year’s competition, which will demonstrate the climate and cultural impacts of reinvesting in existing buildings while creating a first-of-its-kind circular economy campus focused on cultivating a green workforce, improving public health, and advancing affordable housing repair and production. We look forward to project proposals from visionary teams that are eager to invest in San Antonio, and who share our vision of making our city a national and global leader in demonstrating how reuse results in resilience.”

Mayor of Milan and C40 Vice Chair for Europe Giuseppe Sala said: “In its fourth Reinventing Cities participation, the City of Milan will test joint interventions with Agenzia del Demanio, the national Public Property Agency, focusing on student and social housing. This is key to enhance local cooperation among stakeholders at all levels for the acceleration of Milan’s transition towards a more inclusive, green and liveable urban environment.”

Mayor of Rome Roberto Gualtieri said: “It is with great enthusiasm that Rome reaffirms its participation in Reinventing Cities, continuing to consolidate the climate action commitments towards a safer and better life for our citizens. As in previous editions, we will start from under-utilised urban areas and buildings to initiate urban regeneration processes aimed at zero-emission transformation, while continuing to foster the growth of the city’s economy in a sustainable, resilient and equitable way.”

Deputy Mayor of Bologna Raffaele Laudani said: “After the first and positive experience of our city’s participation in the C40 Reinventing Cities programme, this year we joined the call together with the Italian Public Property Agency with the project of the former Perotti barracks. A project focused on the answer to the growing pressure on inclusive housing, in particular supporting young people and students in our city. A project in line with the City of Knowledge and Green Footprint city-wide initiatives, which fully reflect the ambitious goals of the Reinventing Cities programme.”

Glasgow City Councillor Susan Aitken said: “The regeneration of Glasgow’s Canal has been truly transformational, delivering economic, environmental and social benefits in the shape of new workplaces, homes, cultural and leisure facilities, green and public space, a water management system and better connections for active travel. The development of the Applecross site will mark the next stage in the regeneration in a quarter of Glasgow that is an exemplar of how urban development can help us achieve net zero.”

Scottish Canals CEO John Paterson said: “We are excited to be given this opportunity to take part in the C40 Cities Reinventing Cities competition. Our vision is to create ‘better lives by water’, the successful regeneration of North Glasgow has made great strides in achieving this goal. We must continue to revitalise Glasgow’s canal corridor through resilient developments that are zero carbon and look forward to seeing some of the unique entries this competition brings.”

Citydev.brussels CEO Benjamin Cadranel said: “It’s with great enthusiasm that citydev.brussels takes part in Reinventing Cities, which is for the first time running in Belgium! We are sure that the site in competition, LionCity II located in the Brussels-Capital Region, will benefit from the exchange of skills that comes with participating in this international competition.”

Agenzia del Demanio Director Alessandra dal Verme said: “Agenzia del Demanio (the Italian Public Property Agency) shares the same inspiring principles of Reinventing Cities, which sees in the regeneration of disused assets an opportunity to contribute to making our cities more ecological, efficient, resilient and citizen-friendly. The Agency’s participation represents a unique perspective in this initiative, and we are proud to present today, alongside the Municipalities of Bologna, Milan, Palermo, Rome and Venice, our strategic assets that will benefit from the international exposure of this C40 programme, to find original reuse ideas, focusing on public-private partnerships and new investment opportunities.”

This C40 initiative is made possible thanks to the support of Ingka Group.

Website: https://www.c40reinventingcities.org/

C40 Cities

C40 is a network of nearly 100 mayors of the world’s leading cities working to deliver the urgent action needed right now to confront the climate crisis and create a future where everyone, everywhere, can thrive. Mayors of C40 cities are committed to using a science-based and people-focused approach to help the world limit global heating to 1.5°C and build healthy, equitable and resilient communities.

We work alongside a broad coalition of representatives from labour, business, the youth climate movement and civil society to support mayors to halve emissions by 2030 and help phase out fossil use while increasing urban climate resilience and equity.

The current co-chairs of C40 are Mayor Sadiq Khan of London, United Kingdom, and Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown, Sierra Leone; three-term Mayor of New York City Michael R. Bloomberg serves as President of the Board. C40’s work is made possible by our three strategic funders: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and Realdania.

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Architecture Competitions Archive

Past Architecture Competitions – selection:

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LA JUANITA Architecture Competition

March 14 2025: Late Registrations deadline

March 14 2025: Submission Deadline – (3:00 pm CET)

TerraViva launches LA JUANITA, a new architecture competition in which participants will work on the design of a contemporary house facing the amazing natural landscape of the Paraná river (Argentina). Prizes up to 8.000 € will be awarded to the winners selected by an international jury panel composed, among others, by Giancarlo Mazzanti (El Equipo Mazzanti), Virginia Theilig (FAPyD), Diego Arraigada (Diego Arraigada Arquitectos) and Luciana Lembo (Adamo-Faiden).

BRIEF

The idea of ‘La Juanita’ as a permanent housing location invites architects and designers to imagine what an Argentine home would look like today, nestled in a riverside landscape that slows the frenetic pace of city life and fosters a deep connection with the natural context.

The villa should be designed for a family of four, with the possibility of receiving and eventually accommodating a couple of guests who will enjoy all the comforts and privacy.

PRIZES & MENTIONS

• 1st Prize: 4.000€
• 2nd Prize: 2.000€
• 3rd Prize: 1.000€
• 2 Golden Mentions: 500€ each
• 10 Honorable Mentions: coupon for a free competition
• 30 Finalists: published on TerraViva channels

GUIDELINES

The design can be single-story or spread over two levels (ground floor + first floor). Both compact and more dispersed layouts will be equally considered. The layout, size and arrangement of the home’s intimate and social spaces, as well as their relationships and spatial hierarchies, will be at the discretion of the designers.

Designers are invited to incorporate double-height spaces, semi-covered areas, pergolas, galleries, terraces and exterior flooring treatments, ensuring a gradual transition from the interior to the surrounding nature. These intermediate zones will be crucial for the everyday use of the house, providing enjoyment throughout the year. Do not forget to enhance and value the incredible views with your design proposal. It will be essential to consider the characteristics of sun exposure, visuals and topography of the site.

REQUESTED MATERIAL

Two A1 panels (59,4 x 84,1 cm) landscape oriented + a brief text describing the proposal (250-500 words)

JURY

• Giancarlo Mazzanti (Bogotá, Colombia) | El Equipo Mazzanti
• Virginia Theilig (Rosario, Argentina) | FAPyD
• Diego Arraigada (Rosario, Argentina) | Diego Arraigada Arquitectos
• Luciana Lembo (Buenos Aires, Argentina) | Adamo-Faiden
• Alejandro Puente (Quito, Equador) | PESA
• Sara Alves (Barcelona, Spain)| TWOBO Arquitectos
• Loris L. Perillo (Basel, Switzerland) | Commisura
• Tongtong Zhang (Los Angeles, USA) | RIOS

SCHEDULE

• Competition Opening: October 14th
• 69 € “Early” Registrations: October 14th – December 13th
• 89 € “Standard” Registrations: December 13th – February 14th
• 109 € “Late” Registrations: February 14th – March 14th
• Submission Deadline: March 14th (3:00 pm CET)
• Winners Announcement: April 14th

Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Competition
Location: London, England, UK
Deadline: 20 January 2025
Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Competition

PORCH: An Architecture of Generosity — U.S. Pavilion Exhibits
Location: Venice, Italy
Deadline: January 17, 2025

The 4th Quadrant of Victory Square International Architectural Competition
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
4th Quadrant of Victory Square Prague Competition

City of The Future Competition
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland
£10k Prize
City of the Future Urban Design Competition, Belfast

YAC Competition
YAC Competitions

Some Key Older Design Contest featured on e-architect:

Central City Square of Rahovec Architecture Competition

Camden Highline Architecture Competition

Winter Pavilion London Architecture Competition

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Architecture Tenders

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