The Architect’s Stair / Edition #2

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A Conceptual Competition Celebrating the Stair as Pure Architecture

The stair is more than a means to move between levels—it is one of architecture’s most powerful formal and symbolic elements. The Architect’s Stair / Edition #2 invites architects, designers, and creative thinkers around the world to reimagine the stair in its purest form: as structure, movement, sculpture, sequence, and story.

Organized by Buildner, this conceptual design competition offers complete creative freedom. There are no restrictions on material, scale, context, or function. Participants are asked to engage with the stair as a spatial and philosophical idea—free from regulation and technical obligation. How can a stair express ideology, emotion, narrative, or poetics through geometry and movement?

Whether monumental or minimal, abstract or inhabitable, your submission should capture clarity of vision and strength of concept. This competition is a platform for bold design thinking and architectural storytelling.


Why You Should Participate

  • Total creative freedom: No site, material, or scale constraints—only conceptual integrity matters.
  • Global exposure: Winners will be featured across Buildner’s wide-reaching platforms, seen by top firms, media, and institutions.
  • Cash prizes: €7,000 in awards, including a special Buildner Student Award to support emerging talent.
  • Architectural storytelling: A rare opportunity to use one architectural element—the stair—as a powerful statement of form, movement, and meaning.

This is an excellent platform for students, professionals, and design collectives to present philosophical and spatial interpretations without practical limitations.


Key Highlights

Competition Focus

  • Explore the stair as a conceptual and sculptural expression.
  • Reflect on symbolism, geometry, motion, and narrative.
  • No limitations on style, material, location, or size.

Eligibility

  • Open to individuals and teams globally.
  • Architects, students, designers, artists, and thinkers from all disciplines are welcome.

Entry Fees

Fee TierDatesPrice
Early Bird RegistrationJune 11 – June 26, 2025€70
Advance RegistrationJune 27 – July 8, 2025€90
Last Minute RegistrationJuly 9 – July 24, 2025€110

Prizes and Recognition

Award CategoryPrize Amount
1st Prize€3,500
2nd Prize€1,500
3rd Prize€1,000
Buildner Student Award€1,000
6 Honourable MentionsRecognition + Publication

Winners will be featured on Buildner’s global architecture media, including yearbooks, newsletters, and partner publications.


Timeline

PhaseDate
Final Registration DeadlineJuly 24, 2025 (23:59 London Time)
Submission DeadlineSeptember 15, 2025 (23:59 London Time)
Winners AnnouncementOctober 28, 2025

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

From our editorial perspective at ArchUp, this competition offers a rare kind of architectural freedom. By eliminating functional constraints and regulatory limitations, it invites designers to revisit one of the oldest spatial devices—the stair—as a philosophical and formal idea.

The stair is inherently architectural: it defines space, guides the body, and tells stories. We appreciate how The Architect’s Stair pushes participants to detach from site-specific thinking and re-engage with pure form and movement. Whether symbolic, performative, or sculptural, this is your chance to design without bounds, using one architectural element as a complete narrative.

We highly recommend this competition for:

  • Architecture students looking to experiment with form.
  • Young professionals aiming to express design philosophy without client or program.
  • Concept-driven studios exploring narrative, memory, or spatial poetics.

Explore More with ArchUp

ArchUp documents the evolving profession of architects worldwide, from career insights and research to project profiles and industry news. Our editorial team publishes global salary trends, career advice, and opportunities for emerging talents. Learn more on our About page or Contact us to collaborate.

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