10 Best Architecture Competitions to Participate in for 2023

Architecture competitions are a great way to build up your resume. Architecture grads can use them as an opportunity to get their name out there and show off what they have accomplished in the past few years. These creative exercises give you avenues to explore methods (eg. Presentation Boards, Ideation methods etc.)to demonstrate your architecture dexterity across a multitude of typologies.  Architecture competitions are a way to connect and meet architects from all around the world. Architecture grads should enter as many architecture competitions as possible 'cause this is how they can create their name, portfolio, and experience which can potentially lead them to build architectural wonders in years to come!

UNI.xyz is a global community for Architects and Designers all over the world who are brought together by the largest pool of design challenges. It brings together the world's largest pool of architecture challenges that are most consciously crafted design briefs. While every challenge we create is unique here is our list of some of the best architecture competitions to participate in 2021:

1) Waste not by Design x Design

The core challenge of this competition is to revolutionize our relationship with human and non-human excreta. Participants are invited to envision innovative solutions that transcend the traditional 'dispose-and-forget' model, aiming for a sustainable and inclusive future. The competition opens doors for interdisciplinary teams—designers, scientists, and thought leaders—to submit their visionary ideas.

The solutions sought should be scalable and versatile, catering to a range of community sizes and needs—from bustling urban centers to remote rural areas. The competition emphasizes the importance of addressing the issue from a multi-dimensional perspective—biological, sociopolitical, and even spiritual. It invites participants to tackle key challenges such as:

Dignity in Design: How can architecture contribute to dignifying the process of excreta management?

Public Health: Measures to ensure hygiene and prevent the spread of diseases.

Sustainability: Transforming today's 'waste' into tomorrow's resource.

Social Inclusivity: Catering to the diverse needs and sensitivities of various communities.

Practicality and Innovation: Feasibility for real-world implementation.

Participants are encouraged to utilize cutting-edge technologies like AI and IoT to enhance their proposals. They are also invited to consider the use of humanure and other forms of excreta as a resource, potentially transforming waste management sites into cultural and educational centers.

Exhibition Opportunity: Selected entries will be featured at the DxD Annual Exhibition at Gallery Romain, Alliance Française de Delhi.

Discover the full competition brief here: Waste Not - Design Innovations for Human and Non-Human ExcretaWaste not

2) Culture Oasis

The design challenge in this competition was to develop a cultural centre for the city of Marrakech. The cultural centre had to be an example of a green cultural and exhibition city – where usage of energy, alternative energy and recycling, and sustainable development are implemented as an example for the rest of the world. The culture in Marrakech is strongly influenced by Arab, Berber, and Islamic civilizations. The city was founded in c.1070, nearly a thousand years ago, by the Almoravid dynasty (an imperial Berber Muslim dynasty).

Discover the full competition brief here: The Oasis Cultural Center | Landscape Design Competition on UNI | About

3) Terra x Terra (Competition + Workshop)

The challenge here was to design an architecture pavilion that spoke for a more sustainable built habitat of the future using contextual technologies. The design problem was to create a proposition of a Pavilion on a free terrace space. The pavilion was intended to be a social Interactive space / Breakout / Rejuvenating space. This could fit multiple typologies like an office tower or a university. The design aimed to create shading against heat radiations from the sun. Any locally sourced material that is eco-friendly for the skin. The structure could be either in terracotta, steel, bamboo, or wood as per the participant’s choice.

Discover the full competition brief here: Terra x Terra | Installations Competition on UNI | About

4) Respites

Care facilities tend to prioritize functionality in their design approach which is ideal, but the aesthetics and ambiance play a huge part in creating positive environments. The brief of this competition asked to design a hospice care facility for terminally unwell children. The aim of the challenge was to understand how design can be improved for better living of terminally ill children. Although the facilities and skilled staff of a hospice were what would create a soothing environment to an extent, the tangible spaces that they are exposed to, during their stay in a hospice, can contribute to their well-being.

Discover the full competition brief here: Respites | Landscape Design Competition on UNI | About

5) The White Lands

Mecca during the Hajj pilgrimage every year, and an estimate for that number to grow to up 5-10 million visitors in the coming decades, there is a growing concern amongst architects that current system designs will be pushed beyond their limits. 

Currently, more than 2 million Muslims from around the world are stated to attend the five-day Hajj pilgrimage annually in Mecca. The figure is speculated to grow to 5- 10 million visitors in the coming decades which is sure to push current systems designs to their limits.

The design challenge was to conceive a modular solution for housing Hajj pilgrims in the city of Mina. The stay duration was aimed at 6 days of air-cooled living, cost-effective, fireproof, hygienic, and incremental to begin with and could go as much as elevating pilgrim experience with whichever means found imperative.

Discover the full competition brief here: The White Lands | Architecture Competition on UNI | About

6) Cybertecture (Competition + Workshop)

Cybertecture Academy & UNI.xyz  introduced its first online interactive Cybertecture Masterclass. It was a four-month-long Interactive Online Design Workshop and Talks taught personally by visionary architect James Law. The Cybertecture workshop took participants on a journey through four different categories: Pod Architecture, Robotic Cities and the Cyber Republic, and Cybertecture Realm. It aimed at inculcating young architects and students with dynamic design education they missed in their design schools. 

Discover the full competition brief here: Cybertecture | Master Class on UNI | About

7) Artistory

In today’s time, this social meeting happens in cafes and restaurants. Meeting people in the real world and marvelling over human beings’ creative nature needs to become a revived culture. The challenge was to create an artist’s coworking where the art of all kinds can find an atmosphere to grow. The design was specifically tuned towards people who create, appreciate and celebrate art in their daily lives. Space would act as and provide an environment conducive to brewing ideas. It would be a tangible form of a social website where artists today expand their horizons. 

Discover the full competition brief here: Artistory | Educational Building Competition on UNI | About

8) Turf

Brief: Design a student housing community that caters to their function as well as psychological needs. The main challenge to be addressed was to find ways of making the design economical but in a charming way. This housing was designed to cater to a diverse group of students, so access and layout must be planned accordingly. 

The units were designed in a modular manner so that they promote equality. The customization would be left over to its users. The function of the housing was achieved in an inventive spatial design with a good form aesthetic. Creating safe and comfortable spaces was a top priority. Community housing is all about group living and it is necessary to provide ample opportunity to occupants to engage with nature as well as their peers. Isolation and depression are common issues in students and this can be tackled with social design. 

Discover the full competition brief here: Artistory | Educational Building Competition on UNI | About

9) Under-earth

Every city needs a statement, to stand the tests of time and narrate its stories. Underground structures today at cities like Cappadocia may exist but every building has an expiry. Museums are one of the many ways that this can be made relatable to today’s world. There are over 200 underground cities in Turkey and the most prominent ones are Derinkuyu and Kaymakli. Challenge - Design a gallery/museum whose structure stands as a testimony to Turkey’s underground tunnel systems.

The space represented the culture that existed in those cities and to show that to the visitors rather than them just focusing on its aesthetics. The gallery acted as an immersive experience for the users. 

Discover the full competition brief here: Underearth | Architecture Competition on UNI | About

10) Timberate

The proposed challenge was the development of an innovative mass-timber compact urban housing with sustainable carbon-free impact designed to be lightweight, minimal, and compact. The primary focus was on the design of a parametric and prefabricated timber building system for a two-story housing unit where it could be shown the potential for a modular building system for horizontal and vertical expansion. Utilize digital fabrication technology to achieve high precision fabrication, for easy assembly/disassembly / expandable for upgrading/relocation/end-of-life recycling making it resilient and adaptable to the rapidly changing needs of society. The houses were expected to be machine manufactured and the design hence was made in resonance to mass fabrication.

Discover the full competition brief here: Timberate | Low-Cost Design Competition on UNI | About

UNI is committed to fostering a culture of excellence within our community. We are always excited to bring you to the best lineup for competitions and contests every year. There’s something for everyone from writers, graphic artists, architects, photographers - no matter what your interests may be. Whether you want to showcase your skills or just have fun with new creative projects, there's always a competition out there waiting for YOU! 

We hope these opportunities were helpful to you and hope they will lead you to make the best of these call-for-ideas that are meticulously curated by us. Which competition do you like the most?

Participate now: https://uni.xyz/competitions