Competition for the Conceptual Urban and Architectural Design of a Residential and Commercial Complex in City Housing Project in Podgorica

Podgorica has launched an international open anonymous competition to design a mixed residential and commercial complex as part of its “Gradski Stan” (City Housing) initiative. The competition addresses a growing need for affordable housing while also enhancing the urban environment in a rapidly developing part of the city. Participants are asked to deliver conceptual urban and architectural designs that combine high quality, functionality, sustainability, and affordability.

The site includes three connected parcels under an urban plan known as “Konik – Old Airport – Phase III.” These parcels cover a total area of about 18,600 square meters. Designers are asked to propose housing that meets diverse demographic needs, offers flexible and modular layouts, and includes green and communal spaces. Energy efficiency and climate resilience are also required.

“Gradski Stan” is intended as a pilot project that could shape future public housing policies in Podgorica. Social inclusion and quality of life are central goals. The design should set high standards and become a model for the built environment in the city. The competition gives a platform for architects to experiment with typologies, sustainability strategies, and the blending of housing with commerce and public realm.

Program, Site, Fees, Awards, Timeline

Program and Site Details

• Mixed residential and commercial use
• Three connected urban parcels: UP 40a, UP 41, UP 42
• Total site area ~ 18,600 m²
• Located in the regulated area “Konik – Old Airport – Phase III”

Entry Fee

Awards

Timeline

Architectural Analysis

The design brief calls for balancing density with livability. With nearly 18,600 m² across three parcels, proposals must integrate massing, circulation, daylight, and green space thoughtfully. The mixed-use aspect means commercial zones need to interact well with residential ones—activating street fronts without undermining privacy or comfort for residents.

Flexibility and modularity are key. Designs should allow for variation in apartment types and layouts. Shared communal and green spaces must be central, not marginal. Climate resilience and energy efficiency are not optional extras—they are core to the success of the design. Materials should be durable, low maintenance, and ideally locally relevant to reduce environmental impact and support regional identity.

The urban fabric around the site is evolving quickly. The architecture should respond to this dynamism: connecting with pedestrian paths, acknowledging views, respecting neighboring buildings, and creating new public realm that invites social life. A design that is visually appealing but fails logistically or environmentally would not meet the brief’s goals.

A strong proposal will balance formal expression with practical performance. It should show clarity in how people move through the complex, how shared spaces are accessed, how daylight and ventilation are handled, and how the building deals with climate. The reconciliation between architectural ambition and social, environmental responsibility is crucial.

Competition Importance

This competition matters because it pushes public housing design beyond mere function. It calls for architecture that addresses social inclusion, affordability, and environmental sustainability in a unified vision. For architects, it teaches how to manage complexity: mixed uses, flexible layouts, community amenity, climate issues—all within budget and regulatory frameworks.

In typological terms, it contributes to discussions about how affordable housing can be beautiful and sustainable, not just economical. It asks how housing typologies can adapt to diverse needs: families, singles, older residents. It explores how public housing can incorporate commercial functions and shared green spaces and thus participate in the urban realm rather than being isolated.

Right now the global housing crisis, climate change, and rising costs demand new models. This competition is relevant because it tests solutions that are scalable, socially just, and environmentally sound. Podgorica is offering a case study: can a city with constrained resources set higher standards? Designers who engage here can influence policy and built form for years to come.

✦ ArchUp Competition Review

The Competition for the Conceptual Urban and Architectural Design of a Residential and Commercial Complex in the City Housing Project in Podgorica, organized by the Capital City of Podgorica, invites professional architects and urban designers to propose a mixed-use complex integrating residential, commercial, and public spaces. The competition emphasizes sustainability, social inclusivity, and modular urban design, offers a total prize fund of €94,100, and runs from September to December 2025. While the organizer is credible, the brief lacks clarity on affordability targets and shared-space obligations, and jury evaluation criteria are not fully disclosed. The program is ambitious yet feasible, providing a professional platform to shape Podgorica’s urban housing, though greater procedural transparency would improve its impact.

Conclusion

The City Housing project “Gradski Stan” competition is an important opportunity for designers to contribute to the future of public housing in Podgorica. With clear requirements and ambitious aims the competition hopes to yield designs that are not only functional and affordable but also sustainable, socially inclusive, and well integrated into the urban fabric.

By balancing diverse apartment types with green communal spaces, energy efficiency, and good urban connections, the winning entry should provide more than housing—it should offer a model for dignity, quality, and urban livability. The detailed timeline gives enough room for thoughtful design and iteration. The prize structure supports recognition of multiple outstanding ideas.

For participants this is a chance to shape the voice of Podgorica’s built environment in a way that matters. The competition asks hard questions about what constitutes good public housing, and demands solutions that are imaginative yet grounded. The outcome could set a new benchmark for housing projects not just locally but in similar growing cities.

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