Clothed Spaces Competition 2026
Competition Brief
The Clothed Spaces Competition 2026 is a worldwide architectural and design contest that the Archcontest platform organizes. The brief details the mountain tent as a basic micro-architecture, a thin, short-lived, and reactive structure that is in direct contact with the landscape. The competition prompts the competitors to redefine the conventional tent as a conceptual spatial proposition instead of just a utilitarian shelter.
Intent
The competition’s goal is the discussion of the extremely light and temporary nature of architecture in natural or very extreme locations. The use of fabric, structure, and spatial strategy in innovative ways is an example of how this discussion can be made more interesting. Such newly created temporary living spaces would be the very small ones which people could live in the entire nature wherein they are sited.
Purpose
The idea is to put the designers to a test and task them with suggesting the most radical and visionary ways that the relationship between form, material, and landscape re-assured. Specific aspects are such as: adaptability, minimal structural impact, ease of assembly, and spatial quality are already included in design proposals.
Requirements
The design should be all about the mountain tent as a form of micro-architecture.
Participants are to present new concepts through the use of space, materials, and geometry, which will be different from the usual idea of a tent.
Proposals are expected to highlight adaptability, reversibility, and ease of use for habitation by 2 people, with an extension option up to 4.
Entries may be submitted individually or by teams, and all submitted works must be original and developed independently.
Jury
The competition’s jury is composed of invited professionals and experts in architecture, design, and visual communication. The jury reflects diverse expertise in both conceptual and practical dimensions of design:
- Inano Mushkudiani – Director at Vincenzo de Cotiis Studio (Italy / Georgia)
- Ivane Katamashvili – Architecture Photographer & Filmmaker (USA)
- Sara Dello Scarparo – Architect, Archea Associati (Italy)
- Han Kuo – Founder, Supra‑Simplicities (New York / Taiwan)
- Luciano Letteriello – Architect, Zaha Hadid Architects (UK London)
- Jose Sibi – Architect, UNStudio (Netherlands)
Fees Table
| Registration Stage | Fee (EUR) |
|---|---|
| Early Registration | 40 |
| Advance Registration | 60 |
| Last Minute Registration | 90 |
(Entry fees vary by registration period and are noted in Euros per submission.)
Rewards Table
| Reward | Details |
|---|---|
| Prize Fund | €3,000 total |
(The prize fund is listed as a total sum to be distributed to winners; specific category prizes are detailed in the official competition brief.)
Dates Table
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Competition Launch | 20 December 2025 |
| Registration Deadline | 27 April 2026 |
| Submission Deadline | 30 April 2026 |
(These dates provide the timeline for registration and submissions for the competition cycle.)
✦ ArchUp Competition Review
The Clothed Spaces Competition 2026, which is being held through Archcontest, allows designers to consider the mountain tent as a micro-architectural and temporary form. The participation is open to both individuals and groups, and the fees are from €40 to €90 based on the timing of registration. The jury will include a variety of professionals invited by the organizers who possess different skills in architecture, design, and visual communication, thus giving more authority to the evaluation even though there are no criteria for judging given to the public in detail. The total amount of the prize is €3,000 which is a small sum in comparison to the conceptual and design effort that is going to be needed. In the end, the competition mainly serves as an intellectual and portfolio-building exercise where participants are granted the chance to experiment with micro-architecture rather than having the opportunity to implement it in a tangible way.
Critical Conclusion
The Clothed Spaces Competition 2026 is using the mountain tent as a conceptual vehicle to explore the architectural aspects of micro-architecture and temporary spatial systems. Its emphasis on materiality, form, and interaction with the landscape promotes experimental and speculative design thinking. The competition provides clear guidelines for exploration that go beyond mere form generation albeit the modest prize fund and limited published information on detailed evaluation criteria may pose a challenge to those participants who are looking for further insight into judging priorities. The guest jury’s varied professional backgrounds indicate a mix of practical and theoretical viewpoints which could widen the spectrum of acknowledged outcomes while still supporting the most outstanding creative conceptual proposals.
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