New architecture and design competitions: Tiny Houses, A' Design Award, L A M P, and Walzwerk

For this week's curated picks of architecture and design competitions listed on Bustler, we are featuring four calls seeking innovative and sustainable tiny house designs, exceptional achievements in architecture and design, the best in lighting design, and student-led proposals for the transformation of a former industrial site in Switzerland.

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

A' Design Award 2026
Registration/Submission Deadline: Wednesday, September 30, 2026

"The A’ Design Award & Competition is one of the world’s most prestigious international annual competitions, renowned for recognizing and promoting exceptional achievements in architecture, interior design, and numerous creative disciplines. Celebrating design excellence and innovation globally, the A' Design Award aims to foster a deeper appreciation for outstanding architecture and impactful interior spaces that enhance quality of life and inspire positive social change."

L A M P International Lighting Design Competition 2026
Registration Deadline: Thursday, October 1, 2026
Submission Deadline: Thursday, October 15, 2026

"Sparking innovation in illumination since 2013, L A M P is a small, independent organization dedicated to championing emerging talent and connecting designers to new markets in lighting design. Every submission fee and sponsorship goes directly into running the competition, prize monies and marketing our Finalists. For a fraction of the cost of a trade-show booth, L A M P puts your work in front of audiences, press, and industry players who matter. Being named a finalist is more than a credential; it's a launchpad."

Call For Ideas: Tiny House 2026 Architecture Competition
Registration Deadline: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Submission Deadline: Friday, October 23, 2026

"Participants are to design a Tiny House for 2 people that would provide a comfortable living accommodation. The design and concept of the house should be innovative, creative and sustainable and explore how compact spaces can support modern living in creative and meaningful ways. The relation between the exterior surroundings and interior spaces must be taken into consideration. The proposed design should be well-conceptualized. The area of the proposed Tiny House should not exceed 300 sq. ft. The proposal should focus on Comfort, flexibility, sustainability, and quality of living within a small footprint."

Walzwerk - Student Design Competition
Registration/Submission Deadline: Sunday, October 18, 2026

"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. [...] 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."

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.