New architecture and design competitions: best architects, Home of Shadows, Soundscapes in Structure, and Frame the Future!

If you're in search of new, exciting architecture and design competitions, take a look at the latest curated picks of challenges listed on Bustler. Featured below are four briefs seeking designs for a home that uses no artificial light, visually striking posters that reflect bold housing ideas for Los Angeles, exceptional student-driven designs for a state-of-the-art amphitheater bandshell, and outstanding projects from European architects and architecture offices.

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

The Home of Shadows / Edition #4
Registration Deadline: Monday, March 2, 2026
Submission Deadline: Monday, April 13, 2026

"For the Home of Shadows Edition #4 competition, participants are asked to design a home for a hypothetical couple with just one rule – there can be no artificial light within the home. The jury will be looking for designs that study how natural light can influence and shape architectural decisions. Participants may select any theoretical site for their Home of Shadows and propose a design solution for the fully functional building."

Frame the Future! LA’s Housing Manifesto + Poster Showdown
Registration/Submissions Deadline: Tuesday, March 31, 2026

"Friends of Residential Treasures: Los Angeles (FORT: LA) announces the launch of Frame the Future! LA’s Housing Manifesto + Poster Showdown, an open competition and public exhibition inviting designers, architects, artists, writers, students, and creative thinkers to translate bold housing ideas into a visually striking poster, a punchy slogan, and a short manifesto capable of inspiring a broad public. Responding to Los Angeles’s urgent housing needs, the project centers communication as a civic tool—challenging participants to help Angelenos see what’s possible, and want it."

Design and Build: Soundscapes in Structure
Registration/Submission Deadline: Sunday, April 26, 2026

"The Museum of Outdoor Arts (MOA) in Greenwood Village, CO seeks conceptual design proposals for its 7th annual national Design and Build Competition from art, architecture, landscape architecture, design and other creatively focused USA based collegiate students, teams, and/or classes. This year’s theme, 'Soundscapes in Structure,' challenges participants to design a state-of-the-art amphitheater bandshell that merges acoustic excellence with bold visual identity."

best architects 27 award
Registration/Submission Deadline: Monday, May 11, 2026

"The best architects award is one of the most prestigious distinctions for architecture and a barometer of the latest developments in the top segment of the field. The award is widely recognised as a seal of quality for outstanding architectural achievements, positioning the award-winners at the forefront of the european architecture scene. [...] The best projects are recognised in the following categories: renovation and addition, residential, office and administrative buildings, commercial and industrial buildings, public buildings, education buildings, infrastructure buildings, other buildings and interior design."

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.