Materia Tectónica / Tectonic Matter – Dearq 49
Competition Brief
Dearq journal (Universidad de los Andes) has opened a call for papers for its issue 49 titled “Materia Tectónica / Tectonic Matter”. The call invites contributions that explore tectonic thinking in architecture, focusing on the integration of material realities, construction logic, spatial perception, and intellectual processes of making.
Intent
The call seeks to renew critical engagement with tectonics beyond superficial imagery, treating it as a rigorous field that connects material practice, structural logic, and experiential qualities of architecture.
Purpose
It aims to gather original research, case studies, visual essays, and projects that examine how construction realities shape spatial meaning, especially in relation to contemporary technologies, local ecologies, and cultural contexts.
Requirements
Submissions must be original and unpublished. They can take the form of research articles, case studies, visual essays, or projects. Contributions should address one or more of the proposed thematic areas and comply with Dearq’s editorial guidelines. Submissions are uploaded through the journal’s OJS platform. The call is open to architects, historians, theorists, engineers, educators, and researchers worldwide.
Jury
The issue is guest-edited by:
- Nader Tehrani – The Cooper Union
- Julián Palacio – The Cooper Union
- Rafael Villazón – Universidad de los Andes
Fees
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Submission Fee | Free |
Rewards
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Publication | Selected papers will be published in Dearq journal issue 49 (September 2027) |
| Other | No cash prizes or additional rewards mentioned |
Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Submission Period Opens | 17 April 2026 |
| Submission Deadline | 30 August 2026 |
| Issue Publication | September 2027 |
✦ ArchUp Competition Review
Dearq journal from Universidad de los Andes organises this call for papers. Transparency is good regarding the guest editors, who are publicly named with their academic affiliations. It is an academic call for contributions rather than a traditional design competition, focused on theoretical and research-based texts about tectonic matter. There are no cash rewards, only the possibility of publication in a specialised journal, which seems proportionate to the nature of submitting written or visual essays. The main benefit for participants is academic visibility and contribution to scholarly discourse, rather than portfolio building or project implementation, making it primarily an intellectual exercise supported by recognised academics in the field.
Topics of material and constructive logic frequently appear in deeper explorations of architecture. Similar discussions on construction and perception can be found in coverage of urban design projects. Readers interested in current debates may also check the news section, while related ecological and material questions often connect with sustainability.
Conclusion and final thoughts
Dearq is a respected academic journal in Latin America with a consistent publication record. This call benefits from credible guest editors but remains a scholarly platform rather than a high-visibility design competition. While it offers an opportunity for rigorous reflection on tectonics, its impact on the wider architecture industry is likely limited to academic and theoretical circles. Participation holds value for researchers, educators, and practitioners interested in publishing critical work, yet the long timeline to publication and absence of monetary rewards or implementation pathways reduce its practical weight for many professionals.
Registration Deadline
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