New architecture and design competitions: Steedman Fellowship, Little Big Loo Architecture Competition, Bunker Library Ukraine, and Hunnu City International Urban Planning Competition

For this week's curated picks of architecture and design competitions listed on Bustler, we are featuring four calls seeking research proposals exploring architecture's role in creating collective forms/forums, sustainable, climate-resilient, and human-centered plans for Mongolia's Hunnu City, forward-thinking designs of public toilets that also serve as spaces for community interaction, and design proposals of fortified underground libraries that are both centers for learning and safe refuges during times of conflict.

For the complete directory of newly listed competitions, click here.

$100,000 | 2026 Steedman Fellowship: Collective Form/Forums
Registration/Submission Deadline: Saturday, November 1, 2025

"Collective Form / Forums ask us to reckon with what collective is, how it is formed, and architecture’s role in both gathering us together and providing form to our collective arrangement. The Steedman 2026 jury seeks mindful research proposals on architecture’s role in producing collective forms / forums that catalyze a more politically engaged discipline and citizenry. The award for the 2026 winning proposal will be $100,000."

Design the Future City of Mongolia: Join the Hunnu City International Urban Planning Competition
Registration Deadline: Sunday, August 3, 2025
Submission Deadline: Tuesday, November 4, 2025

"Be part of a bold vision to create a smart, green, and resilient city rooted in Mongolia’s rich cultural heritage. This global design competition invites architects, planners, and innovators to shape the conceptual plan of Hunnu City—a next generation urban center blending innovation with tradition. With over 1.4 billion MNT in prizes and opportunities to influence a landmark project, this is your chance to leave a lasting mark on the urban future of Mongolia. Whether you're an international design studio or a cross-disciplinary team of forward-thinkers, you’ll compete to create a city that is smart, sustainable, climate-resilient, and deeply human-centered."

Call For Ideas: Little Big Loo 2025 Architecture Competition
Registration Deadline: Friday, October 3, 2025
Submission Deadline: Thursday, October 30, 2025

"Participants should unlearn how a conventional public toilet looks like and design an innovative, functional and visually appealing design that serves as a building icon, synchronizing with the surrounding context. The primary use of the designed structure should be as a public toilet. Alongside this, the structure should be innovatively designed as a space for community interaction, in addition to its primary function. The space should be additionally visualized as a recreational/ educational/ social/ urban functional area."

Bunker Library Ukraine (Built Proposal)
Registration/Submission Deadline: Thursday, July 17, 2025

"The primary objective is to design a fortified underground library that can function as both a center for learning and a safe refuge during times of conflict. The design should prioritize the safety and well-being of its users, incorporating robust defensive measures against potential threats such as bombings and shelling. Simultaneously, the library should maintain a welcoming and stimulating learning environment, fostering a sense of community and promoting access to knowledge. The design must also address the psychological impact of living in a conflict zone, incorporating elements that promote relaxation, mental health, and a sense of normalcy. Consider sustainable design solutions and resourcefulness that would allow the library to function in isolation for extended periods if necessary."

Would you like to contribute competitions, award programs, or calls for submissions that aren't listed on Bustler yet? Send them directly to our team to review. We may include them in our next roundup.