Walzwerk - Student Design Competition

The Swiss Finance & Property Group (SFP Group) invites students of architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, spatial planning, and related disciplines to participate in the Walzwerk Student Design Competition, an international ideas competition exploring the future of one of Switzerland's former industrial sites.

Located between Münchenstein and Arlesheim in Basel-Landschaft, Walzwerk has evolved from a historic aluminium factory into a thriving destination for work, culture, education, and leisure. Home to more than 90 tenants, the site now enters a new phase of transformation as it seeks to become a vibrant mixed-use urban district that builds on its industrial heritage while responding to contemporary social and environmental challenges.

Participants are invited to develop a conceptual vision for the future of Walzwerk that balances preservation with innovation. Rather than replacing the site's existing character, proposals should explore how new architecture, public space, landscape, and program can strengthen its identity, create lasting social and economic value, and establish stronger connections with the surrounding communities.

Projects will be evaluated across five equally weighted criteria: Urban Continuity & Landscape, Economic Viability & Feasibility, Social Diversity & Inclusion, Identity & Narrative, and Ecology & Sustainability. The competition encourages ambitious yet realistic proposals that demonstrate a clear spatial vision for a resilient, inclusive, and future-oriented urban district.

The competition is open to students currently enrolled at recognized universities or universities of applied sciences. Entries may be submitted individually or in teams of up to four members, with interdisciplinary collaborations encouraged.

Awards

The three winning teams will receive cash prizes and have their projects exhibited publicly at the Walzwerk Christmas Market:

• 1st Prize: CHF 5,000
• 2nd Prize: CHF 2,500
• 3rd Prize: CHF 1,000

Schedule

• Competition Launch: June 2026
• Online Q&A Session: 6 August 2026
• Optional Site Tour & Q&A: 22 September 2026
• Submission Deadline: October 18th, 2026 (23:59)
• Final Presentations & Award Ceremony: November 11th, 2026
• Public Exhibition: November 21st-22nd, 2026

Submission Requirements

Participants must submit:

• One vertical A0 presentation board (PDF, max. 20 MB) including the design concept, site strategy, proposed program, drawings, diagrams, plans, sections, elevations, visualizations, and a brief explanation of the material and intervention strategy.
• One A4 summary sheet (PDF) using the provided template, including team information, a project summary, and a short statement explaining how the proposal addresses each of the five evaluation criteria.

All entries must be submitted digitally by October 18th, 2026 (23:59) to [email protected]. Registered participants will receive the complete competition documentation, including site plans, maps, and supporting materials.

More infos here: Student Design Competition - Swiss Finance & Property Group