ASA Experimental Design Competition 2026
Competition Brief
Intent
The Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage presents the ASA Experimental Design Competition 2026 as a design contest which challenges competitors to discover architectural solutions through their interactions with both human intelligence and non-human intelligence. The research focuses on ecological systems and climate processes and computational models and artificial intelligence. The competition requires architects to rethink their design process because it should include knowledge from multiple sources to create better architectural designs according to current research in spatial design and architectural development.
Purpose
The competition exists to promote architectural design through combined creative practices. The competition asks participants to study how architectural design develops through the active participation of ecosystems and materials and forecasting technologies. The theme “Hybridized Wisdoms: Architecture Across Multiple Intelligences” aims to establish critical analysis about co-adaptation processes which use ethical and resilient and creative approaches to construct future scenarios. The research connects to design studies about sustainable materials and responsive materials together with design innovation through computational design methods.
Requirements
Entries may address architecture, urban design, or landscape design at any scale. Participants must submit one A0 board (841 x 1189 mm, portrait) as a high‑resolution PDF (maximum 10 MB) showing conceptual drawings, analytical diagrams, plans, sections, renderings, or perspectives. Submissions should clearly state how the proposal responds to the competition theme. Participants may use AI or other non‑human tools but must explicitly describe the role and influence of each tool, while also making the human contribution clearly legible to the jury. Teams and individuals from all backgrounds are eligible to enter.
Jury
- Chatpong Chuenruedeemol – Principal, CHAT Architects, design practitioner with expertise in contextual and computational design.
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surapong Lertsittichai – Founder, IDYLLIAS Co., Ltd., academic and designer focusing on material research and hybrid processes.
- Luca Bussolino – Partner, CRA – Carlo Ratti Associati, international architect blending digital and environmental systems in design.
- Cecilia MoSze Tham – Director, Futurity Systems, researcher and designer exploring interactive and speculative architecture.
- Miho Mazereeuw – Associate Professor, MIT School of Architecture and Planning, Urban Risk Lab, expert in spatial justice and ecological design.
Fees
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Registration & Submission Fee | Free |
| Participation Type | Individuals or Teams |
Rewards
| Category | Award |
|---|---|
| General Public – 1st Prize | 100,000 THB |
| General Public – 2nd Prize | 50,000 THB |
| General Public – 3rd Prize | 30,000 THB |
| Student – 1st Prize | 50,000 THB |
| Student – 2nd Prize | 30,000 THB |
| Student – 3rd Prize | 20,000 THB |
| Honorable Mentions | Certificates |
Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Registration Opens | 10 February 2026 |
| Submission Deadline | 9 April 2026 (23:59:59 Bangkok Time) |
| First Round Pre‑selection | 16 April 2026 |
| Shortlist Announcement | 21 April 2026 |
| Award Ceremony | 3 May 2026 (Architect’69 Exhibition Event) |
✦ ArchUp Competition Review
The ASA Experimental Design Competition 2026, organised by the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage, invites participants to explore hybridised design processes that combine human and nonhuman intelligent systems, with total cash awards reaching 100000 THB. The jury is clearly disclosed, featuring academics and practitioners with expertise in computational, ecological, and speculative architecture, which enhances professional credibility. The competition requires academic and experimental research because it demands participants to demonstrate both conceptual understanding and their analytical work. The expected work requirements match the prize amounts which are set at moderate levels. Participants gain portfolio material and exposure to advanced design discourse, though opportunities for direct implementation are limited. The jury members possess expertise that matches the experimental nature of the competition, which enables them to conduct thorough assessments.
Critical Conclusion
The ASA Experimental Design Competition 2026 confronts conventional boundaries of architectural authorship by inviting hybridised frameworks in which non‑human intelligences play an active role. The material design process creates new questions about how design materials function and design elements control their predictions. The need to define human and nonhuman contributions creates a complex conceptual requirement that participants must fulfill through their evaluations. The theme requires students to prove their understanding through analytical methods that support their interpretation of the open thematic scope.
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