Persian Garden Suite International Design Competition

The Persian Garden Suite competition is a global, single-stage design initiative that challenges architects and designers to design a contemporary, detached independent garden suite in North York, Toronto. Organized by the Iranian Canadian Architects & Artists Forum (ICAAF) , the competition explores how traditional Persian architectural and landscape principles, such as privacy, unique spatial sequences, light optimization, and passive climate adaptation, can be reinterpreted within modern urban frameworks. Proposals must balance contemporary architectural identity and sustainability, demonstrating passive design strategies for cold climates (based on DfE criteria) while complying with the City of Toronto Garden Suite Bylaws and the Ontario Building Code (OBC). The competition aims to initiate a new dialogue between regional architectural heritage, sustainable design, and the future of multi-generational urban housing.

Open Call: Persian Garden Suite International Architecture Competition (2026-2027) Organizer: Iranian Canadian Architects & Artists Forum (ICAAF) (none profit organization)

www.icaaf.ca

https://www.icaaf.ca/competiti...

Introduction: 

This international, open-idea, single-stage design competition challenges architects, designers, and students worldwide to create a contemporary, detached independent garden suite in the backyard of a standard residential house in North York, Toronto. The project aims to explore how traditional Persian architectural and landscape principles, such as privacy (Harim), spatial sequencing (Chahar-Bagh), and passive climate adaptation, can be reinterpreted to meet the contemporary lifestyle, cultural identity, and multi-generational needs of the Iranian-Canadian community within a modern Canadian framework. 

Core Design Themes: 

- Identity & Lifestyle: Integrating Persian hospitality, spatial flexibility, and traditional geometric/poetic light into a micro-dwelling scale. 

- Climate & Passive Strategies: Utilizing Design for Environment (DfE) criteria for Toronto’s cold climate (natural light distribution, cross-ventilation, optimized thermal envelope, and buffer spaces). 

- Technical Compliance: Adhering to Toronto Garden Suite Bylaws (height, lot coverage, setbacks) and the Ontario Building Code (OBC). 

 Awards & Opportunities: 

- 1st Prize: $1,500 CAD + Certificate of Merit + Publication 

- 2nd Prize: $700 CAD + Certificate of Merit + Publication 

- 3rd Prize: $300 CAD + Certificate of Merit + Publication 

- 4th to 7th Places: Honorable Mentions *Selected projects will be featured in a public exhibition and official competition catalog in Toronto. 

 Submission Requirements: 

- Maximum of 2 vertical A1 presentation sheets (plans, sections, elevations, diagrams, and 3D renders). 

- A brief text description (maximum 500 words) explaining the design concept and sustainability strategies. 

- Format: A single combined PDF file, print-ready, maximum 20 MB.