Why Enter Architecture Competitions?

Competition is integral to the architecture industry and has been for years; it forces individuals to push the boundaries of their creativity and has resulted in some incredibly significant projects being created. Buildner architecture competition organisers offer a platform for enthusiastic architecture startups, students, general enthusiasts and even experienced professionals to express their creative potential.

Here are some of the many reasons why competitions are such a useful and popular exercise within the field.

 

THE COMPETITION IS ITS OWN REWARD 

 

If you don’t manage to win the architecture competition you enter, does that mean that you’ve wasted your time? Or is there still a reward even when there isn’t a financial one? Architecture competitions usually have strict submission deadlines and time limits can be short, forcing you to work quickly and decisively as well as creatively. This is no mean feat and a skill that experienced architects will tell you is invaluable throughout your career.

Having said that, architecture competitions do have financial rewards for those that win; so while the competition is it’s own reward, it doesn’t have to be the only reward. Buildner' architecture vision competition prizes vary all the way from $5 to $20,000 US; offering some of the largest prize funds for the lowest registration fees. 

 

PRACTICE NEW SKILLS

Whether you’re a seasoned architecture professional, an architecture student or simply an architecture enthusiast, there will always be news skills to hone and new technology to implement. An architecture competition is the perfect opportunity to put these new skills into practice without sacrificing a commission or a final grade.

All winning entries are provided with in-depth jury comments, offering what the panel feels to be strengths and weaknesses of the project and to encourage future growth and development.


Practice different skills

 

FREE FROM REALITY

 

Many architecture competitions are conceptual, and the winning designs are never actually constructed. But remember, reality is overrated and you have the rest of your careers to focus real life projects with all their real life problems, these competitions are a chance to focus entirely on what you love about architecture; they are about the idea, and it is so crucial not to lose sight of the importance of the architectural idea.

That being said, strong and successful ideas can be developed into something tangible at a later stage. Many widely recognised projects began their life in conceptual competitions and later became real life projects. 



Red Square Tolerance Pavilion architecture competition entries were judged on their ability to conceptually deconstruct ideas for tolerance, remembering those who were victims of fanaticism and representing those who firmly defend and believe in a future without violence against any minority. more

 

BUILD YOUR PORTFOLIO

Novice architects and architecture students are often focused on building their portfolio, and architecture competitions are a great way to get experience without experience. Competitions are also a chance for even seasoned architects to build their portfolio, working on designs and projects that they’ve either not had the opportunity or the skills to before, It’s a chance to investigate an area where you haven’t before, something that’s interesting to you and build your portfolio at the same time.


In the wake of the recent tragic earthquake the struck Nepal, the importance of Buildner’ Himalayan Mountain Hut architecture competition was even more keenly felt. Rising from the basic human need for shelter in an unforgiving climate, the Himalayan Mountain Hut carries the potential to house mountaineering expeditions throughout the trails of Nepal. more

 

GET INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

Many architects cite particular architecture competition victories as having been instrumental in elevating their respective firms in marketplace visibility or even been the turning point for their entire careers.

Buildner is an internationally recognised architecture competition organiser with an excellent jury panel which consists of professionals from the world’s best architecture offices, universities and industry partners.

Buildner offers extensive media coverage for the winners. Our media partners include some of the world’s most-visited design blogs and websites. Winners are featured on a variety of industry-related media, online and in print.

Winners and honourable mentions are interviewed. These interviews are published on the website as well as through Buildner' social media platforms. Competitions are open to all regardless of geographical position or level of education.
 

- Archdaily: Red Square Tolerance Pavilion Competition Winners Unveiled
- Archdaily: 3 Winners Announced for Bangkok Fashion Hub Competition
- Archdaily: Triple Bridge Waterfront Competition Winners Announced

- Strelka: Interview with Red Square Tolerance Pavilion winners

 

ARE ARCHITECTURE COMPETITIONS RIGHT FOR YOU?

 

Still unsure if participating in architecture competitions is right for you? Read some of the interviews with our previous winners and runners up to see their motivations for taking part, as well as some of the benefits they’ve taken away from the competitions.

- News
- Live architecture competitions