UNESCO ANCIENT THEATRE: Valorising an Extraordinary Historical Heritage

Terraviva launches UNESCO ANCIENT THEATRE, a new architecture competition which invites participants to design a unique space where past, present and future merge through architectural and urban continuity…

Prizes up to 10.000 € will be awarded to the winners selected by an international jury panel composed, among others, by Kyriakos Chatziparaskevas (Heatherwick Studio), René Daniels (We Are Size), Elena Cantoni (Studio Schwitalla) and Tianjian Li (Grimshaw Architects).

BRIEF

Projects will seek to unify the various elements of Ohrid's Ancient Theatre through a cohesive integration of architectural and landscape features - materials, textures and spatial relationships - enhancing the overall sense of harmony within the site.

Participants are invited to unleash their imagination and offer original responses to the specific needs of the site. Proposals ranging from conservative approaches to bold and innovative solutions will all be equally considered.

PRIZES 

• 1^st Prize: 5.000€
• 2^nd Prize: 2.000€
• 3^rd Prize: 1.000€
• Final Exhibition in Ohrid: Spring 2026
• 5 Golden Mentions: coupon for a free membership
• 10 Honorable Mentions: coupon for a free competition
• 30 Finalists: exhibited together with winners & mentions

GUIDELINES

The stage and its contemporary roof, the site’s more recent additions yet lacking in architectural merit, are to be completely reimagined. Participants are encouraged to redesign the structure from the ground up, as a bold new element capable of elevating the value of the entire complex. Similarly, the tiered seating area should be thoughtfully rehabilitated.

Finally, to ensure the functionality of the Theatre and its surrounding public space, both during events and throughout the year, designers are asked to design micro-architectural elements supporting the program and all outdoor areas.

REQUESTED MATERIAL

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

JURY 

• Tea Damjanovska (Skopje, North Macedonia) | Ss. Cyril & Methodius University
• Kyriakos Chatziparaskevas (London, UK) | Heatherwick Studio
• Merve Güleryüz Çohadar (Istanbul, Türkiye) | Balvin Architects
• René Daniels (Bogotá, Colombia) | We Are Size
• Elena Cantoni (Berlin, Germany) | Studio Schwitalla
• Simona Chingoska (Ohrid, North Macedonia) | Arhrid
• Elisa Donini (Rome, Italy) | Università La Sapienza
• Tianjian Li (New York, USA) | Grimshaw Architects

SCHEDULE

• Competition Opening: April 23^rd
• 59 € “Early” Registrations: April 23^rd - July 4span class="Apple-converted-space"> 
• 79 € “Standard” Registrations: July 4^th - September 12^th 
• 109 € “Late” Registrations: September 12^th - October 10^th
• Submission Deadline: October 10^th
• Winners Announcement: November 10^th
• Exhibition Opening: Spring 2026

https://www.terravivacompetitions.com/unesco-ancient-theatre-competition-2025/