IDEAS4WOOD 2025/2026
Competition Brief
IDEAS4WOOD 2025/2026 is an international design competition that aims to discover new methods of using wood in both architectural and product design work. The competition provides architects and designers and students with an opportunity to research wood as a renewable resource which they must use to create projects that merge artistic expression with practical implementation. For material-based competitions we provide an overview of material-driven design competitions.
The competition requires participants to test different ways of using wood together with various structural systems and design elements for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Our examination of community-driven architectural projects and interior design competitions shows similar design studies which we investigate.
Intent
The intent is to stimulate innovative approaches to wood use, promote environmentally conscious design, and showcase projects that integrate creativity with technical viability.
Purpose
The purpose is to create a platform for designers to experiment with wood, share new ideas, and inspire broader adoption of sustainable materials in architectural and product design.
Requirements
Participants need to deliver a concept proposal together with visual documentation and technical drawings and a material description which includes details about the construction method. The competition welcomes all professionals and students and interdisciplinary teams from around the world to participate.
Jury
The jury consists of internationally recognized designers, architects, and journalists. The confirmed members for this edition are:
- Silvia Piardi — President of the Jury
- Roberta Busnelli — Journalist and Editor in Chief
- Federico Galluzzi — Architect
- Francesca Losi — Journalist and Communication Manager
- Andrès Ortolano Tabolacci — Technical Manager, FSC Italia
- Ambrogio Rossari — Designer
- Andrea Tagliabue — CEO, TABU Spa
- Elena Brusa Pasquè — Architect
- Fernando Mosca — Architect
- Roberto Semprini — Architect
- Francesco Scullica — Architect
- Luisa Bocchietto — Architect & Designer
- Massimo Farinatti — Architect
- Cristina Morozzi — Journalist and Critic
- Massimo Russo
- Lorenzo Gecchelin
- Elisabetta Gonzo — Architect & Designer
- Andrea Boschetti — Architect
- Michele Rossi — Architect
- Alessandra Angelini — Artist
- Giorgio Caporaso — PEFC Director & Designer
Fees
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Professional | €50 |
| Student | €30 |
Rewards
| Prize | Details |
|---|---|
| First Prize | Recognition, certificate, and publication opportunities |
| Second Prize | Recognition and publication |
| Special Mentions | Recognition in exhibition and online channels |
Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Call Opens | 01 October 2025 |
| Submission Deadline | 05 June 2026 |
| Results Announcement | To be announced |
✦ ArchUp Competition Review
The website i4w.it hosts the IDEAS4WOOD competition by Tabu Spa, an Italian design contest which focuses on wood-based design and awards about wood-based design. An industry organization with educational partners runs the platform which shows a complete list of jurors for certain editions to establish transparent operations although this feature depends on particular calls. The platform provides free contests for students and designers which include multiple categories that function as ideas competitions instead of actual professional commissions. The main advantages for users come from portfolio development and publication exposure which includes possible production opportunities but does not ensure actual professional work, while the jury members bring their expertise from both industry and design fields.
Critical Conclusion
The IDEAS4WOOD 2025/2026 program offers architects and product designers a dedicated platform for conducting creative experiments using wood materials. The competition supports sustainability and innovative solutions but its extensive jury panel together with secret evaluation methods creates conditions for subjective judging. The program benefits professional designers and student designers who focus on material-based innovation but it operates under institutional constraints that control its recognition and distribution.
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