New architecture and design competitions: UIA 2030 Award, Wege Prize, Steedman Fellowship, and Female Design Council + NICOLEHOLLIS Grant

For our latest weekly curated picks of architecture and design competitions listed on Bustler, we have selected four challenges calling for innovative design solutions contributing to a circular economy, architectural concepts seeking to disrupt old, failed modes of operation, promising BIPOC female-identified designers and architects, and built projects making significant contributions towards the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

For the complete directory of newly listed competitions click here.

Wege Prize 2022
Register/Submit Deadline: Monday, Nov 1, 2021

"Open to undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students worldwide, Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD) has expanded its international design competition, Wege Prize 2022, a global design competition that speaks to students' motivation to rethink the way we produce and consume, to redesign the way economies work, and to build a better future. [...] Teams compete for $65K USD in total cash prizes while engaging in a valuable learning experience guided by multiple feedback loops with jurors who are experts in the circular economy, sustainable development, design thinking, materials science, user experience design, biomimicry, and more."

Steedman Fellowship 2021: Disruption
Register/Submit Deadline: Monday, Nov 15, 2021

"We are living in disruptive times as we live out the Anthropocene, defined by climate crisis driving unprecedented current and future weather extremes and an ongoing global pandemic, alongside centuries of systemic racism in stark need of addressing. In order to rapidly pivot from current trajectories, the IPCC has called for urgent disruption to change course. Radical solutions are required at all scales and systems. How does Architecture—in all its modalities—disrupt and drive change? How can architecture have a measurable impact? What are the disruptions to define the next decade? And will they redefine design? The Steedman is an award that fosters international research in architecture through investigations outside of one’s home country. In light of the COVID-19 and climate crises, extra consideration will be given to creative proposals that minimize carbon footprint."

Female Design Council + NICOLEHOLLIS Grant
Register/Submit Deadline: Wednesday, Dec 15, 2021

"Female Design Council and NICOLEHOLLIS are pleased to announce the FDC + NICOLEHOLLIS Grant, a dedicated financial grant for BIPOC female-identified designers and architects. Female Design Council and NICOLEHOLLIS recognize the importance of supporting female-identified creatives, and have pledged to provide direct funding and mentorship to BIPOC women through this unique interior design and architecture grant. The FDC + NICOLEHOLLIS Grant will award one $15,000 USD financial grant to a WOC-led interior design/architecture firm or individual in the United States. The grant is intended to provide the necessary financial support to expand company size and/or produce new design collections. Grant winners will also receive professional mentorship from the NICOLEHOLLIS team."

UIA 2030 Award
Register/Submit Deadline: Monday, Jan 3, 2022

"The UIA, in partnership with UN-Habitat, has launched the UIA 2030Award to promote the work of architects contributing to delivery of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development together with the New Urban Agenda. The biennial award, synchronised with the World Urban Forum, invites all architects around the world to submit entries for built projects which demonstrate design quality and have made significant contributions towards achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in six categories. The first cycle of the UIA Award (2021 – 2022) is now open for entries."

If you would 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 next week's roundup.

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