Magnum Opus Resorts – International Architectural Design Competition - UPDATE - REVISED DATES

1. Competition Overview:

Magnum Opus Resorts Design Competition is an international call for visionary architects to propose a concept for a 6–8 room luxury boutique hotel located on 8 acres (3.25 hectares) of pristine land on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

MORE INFO HERE (33 PAGES) - MagnumOpusResorts - Brief UPDATED 1.2

PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE - WWW.MAGNUMOPUSRESORTS.COM for additional information.

This retreat will never be rented by the room. It will be booked as an entire sanctuary: a private oasis for unforgettable group experiences.

Our target client base: Celebrities, executives, industry leaders, tastemakers, and discerning travelers seeking privacy, beauty, and transformative experiences in nature.

The design must inspire awe, win awards, and speak a language of timeless simplicity and brilliance—without excessive cost.

You have a unique to design a property for one of the most spectacular pieces of land in the world. 

Our goal?  We believe that this property, positioned with the right design/architect will be featured on the cover of magazines internationally.

Extraordinary applicants only.  We don’t do ordinary.

2.  Eligibility:

This competition is open to all architects, designers, and firms from any country. Both individuals and teams may enter. There are NO restrictions on nationality, age, or professional affiliation.  There is NO fee to apply to this competition.

We honor brilliance.  If you have great vision, are smart, hardworking, and striving for excellence please apply.

3. Competition Format

The competition will be conducted in three stages:

Stage 1: Registration - Saturday, October 11, 2025, 10:00 PM ET

Anybody can register.  There is NO fee to enter the competition.  We are looking for smart, hard-working creative brilliance.   Registration information shall include:

·      Individual, corporate or team name

·      Contact information (email, phone, mailing address)

·      Link to portfolio

       Please send registration information to [email protected]

Stage 2: Concept Submission - Saturday, October 25, 2025, 10:00 PM ET

This is a one-of-a-kind property on the west coast of Costa Rica.  The views are 360 degrees (West looking towards the sunset, North and South views of the pristine coast of Costa Rica, and East to a spectacular rain forest jungle).  This international search for a brilliant design to capture the magic of this incredible property is open to any individual or team.  Concept submission shall include the following by Saturday, September 13, 2025:

·      Concept sketches / massing diagrams

·      Narrative description of the design intent

·      Images, collages, or mood board

·      And any other information that you deem appropriate to showcase your special skills and unique ability to design for this phenomenal property.

Entries will be judged based on the following:

·      Architectural originality and vision

·      Integration with the natural surroundings

·      Conceptual clarity and design language

·      Cost-awareness and construction feasibility

·      Alignment with project goals and user experience

       Note:  Structure shall note exceed 15 meters (45 feet) in height.

       SHOULD YOU DESIRE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR YOUR DESIGN EFFORT, PLEASE CONTACT [email protected]

       Information/questions for competition shall be sent to [email protected]

Stage 3: Design Review Announcement - Saturday, November 15, 2025, 12:00 Noon ET.

Following review of concept designs and interviews, one architect or team will receive $2,000 USD and be awarded the opportunity for design commission subject to mutual agreement by both parties for a professional services contract.

The awardee shall be notified by email and/or phone and must be available within 10 days following the announcement  (by September 25, 2025) for an interview, and to discuss to next steps.

4. Deliverables and Deadlines

All deliverables must be submitted electronically by email (to [email protected]) based on the specified deadlines outlined herein.

5. Confidentiality

All submissions will be treated confidentially during the selection process. Participants agree not to publicly disclose their submission prior to the official winner announcement without written permission from the Client.

6. Judging Criteria

Entries will be judged based on the following:

·       Architectural originality and vision

·       Integration with the natural surroundings

·       Conceptual clarity and design language

·       Cost-awareness and construction feasibility

·       Alignment with project goals and user experience

The Client reserves the right to consult external experts, remain sole decision-maker, and not award any winner if submissions are deemed unsatisfactory.

7. Legal and Miscellaneous

Intellectual Property & Participation Terms

1. Ownership of Work Product

Each applicant shall retain all intellectual property rights, including but not limited to copyright, in and to any designs, drawings, renderings, models, narratives, concepts, or other materials submitted in connection with this competition (collectively, the “Work Product”).

2. License to Client

By submitting Work Product, the applicant hereby grants the Client a perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, reproduce, publish, display, distribute, and share the Work Product (in whole or in part) for purposes including but not limited to:

• Internal review and evaluation;
• Public exhibition or display of competition results;
• Marketing and promotional efforts related to the competition and/or project;
• Inclusion in print and digital materials, websites, and social media platforms.

The Client agrees to credit the applicant in any public use of the Work Product, where commercially and practically feasible.

3. Limitation of Claim on Common Design Elements

The applicant acknowledges that the Client may receive multiple submissions containing similar design ideas, themes, or elements—including, but not limited to, the use of glass, terraces, open floor plans, courtyards, native materials, cantilevered structures, pools, or site-responsive massings—that may be common or obvious in architectural practice.

The applicant agrees that:

• No claim may be made against the Client based solely on the use of generic, non-original, or commonly used architectural concepts;
• The Client is under no obligation to compensate the applicant for the use of ideas not protected under applicable intellectual property laws, including ideas that are part of the architectural vernacular or standard functional solutions;
• Any similarity between the final project and a Work Product shall not, in and of itself, constitute a basis for a claim, unless a substantial and original part of the protected expression of the Work Product was used without permission.

4. No Transfer or Assignment of Rights

The above license does not constitute a transfer or assignment of copyright or other intellectual property rights. Any use of the Work Product beyond the scope described herein—including construction, modification, or derivative use based on the submission—will require a separate, written agreement with the applicant.

5. No Guarantee of Further Engagement or Assurance of Award

Participation in this competition does not constitute an offer of employment or a commitment to enter into a design services agreement. There will only be one winner.  Any future collaboration or compensation shall be subject to a separate, mutually agreed contract.   The Client reserves the right to consult external experts, remain sole decision-maker, and not award any winner if submissions are deemed unsatisfactory.

6. Modification of Terms

The Client reserves the right to modify or update these Terms & Conditions at any time, provided all applicants are notified in writing of such changes. Modifications shall not retroactively affect the rights of Work Product previously submitted without the applicant’s express written consent.

7. Retention of Submissions

All submitted Work Product may be retained by the Client for documentation and reference purposes. Physical materials submitted will not be returned unless otherwise agreed.

Participants are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional ethics and ensure that their submissions are original and do not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others. Any submission found to include plagiarized or copied content will result in disqualification.