THE WATER TOWER Competition 2026
Competition Brief
Terraviva has started international architectural competition THE WATER TOWER. The competition challenges architects to create adaptive reuse solutions for the historic Water Tower building which stands as a vertical landmark in Garden City district Cusano Milanino Italy.
The building, which has suffered from extended neglect, needs restoration work to establish itself as a cultural center that will serve the community. The competition requires participants to develop new designs for the building which will function as an active community center instead of a basic restoration work.
The competition addresses architectural adaptive reuse practices by examining how abandoned infrastructure can be transformed into useful social and spatial areas.
Intent
The project aims to restore Water Tower to its original function as the main reference point for the city. The design faces challenges because of its vertical structure which creates both restrictions and new possibilities.
Designers must study the spatial impact of stacked spaces terraces and circulation systems that create spatial experiences. Our study of compact cultural interiors demonstrates that vertical regeneration methods function similarly to those used in other vertical regeneration approaches.
Adaptive reuse is not about nostalgia. It is about redefining function while preserving memory.
Purpose
The abandoned building will be converted into a modern cultural center that will serve as its main purpose. The proposed project will have exhibition spaces and coworking spaces and flexible cultural spaces and outdoor gathering areas.
The intervention should extend beyond the interior. The building needs micro-plazas and public spaces which will establish better connections between the building and its surrounding neighborhood.
This research connects to current architectural competition discussions about heritage restoration which require heritage preservation together with modern design development.
Requirements
Participants must submit:
- Two A1 panels (59.4 × 84.1 cm – horizontal format)
- A project description between 250–500 words
The proposal should address both interior and exterior renovation strategies, including accessibility, spatial flexibility, and year-round usability.
Jury
- Lidia Arduino – Representative, Comune di Cusano Milanino
- Luciano Crespi – Politecnico di Milano
- Lula Ferrari – Founder, Lula Ferrari Studio
- Paolo Cesaretti – Architect, Paolo Cesaretti Arch.
- Matteo Scaltritti – Architect, Semarchitettura
- Luana La Martina – Architect, MVRDV
- Michele Cassino – Architect, Studio 3Mark
- Letizia Melzi – Architect, Tectoo
Fees
| Registration Phase | Dates | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Early | Dec 12 – Feb 27 | 89 € |
| Standard | Feb 27 – Apr 10 | 109 € |
| Late | Apr 10 – Apr 30 | 139 € |
Rewards
| Award | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st Prize | 8,000 € |
| 2nd Prize | 4,000 € |
| 3rd Prize | 2,000 € |
| 5 Golden Mentions | Free Membership Coupon |
| 10 Honorable Mentions | Free Competition Coupon |
| 30 Finalists | Publication on Terraviva Channels |
Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Competition Opening | December 12 |
| Submission Deadline | April 30, 2026 |
| Winners Announcement | June 1, 2026 |
✦ ArchUp Competition Review
Terraviva together with the Comune di Cusano Milanino organize THE WATER TOWER competition which invites participants to submit adaptive reuse designs for an Italian historic water tower. The jury includes academics and practicing architects from institutions such as Politecnico di Milano and international studios, offering reasonable transparency and disciplinary expertise. The competition is professional and design-oriented rather than promotional, focusing on heritage transformation and civic activation. With prizes up to 8,000 €, rewards are proportionate to submission requirements and fees. The primary benefit lies in portfolio development and visibility, as no direct implementation commitment is clearly guaranteed.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The water tower competition solves a persistent architectural problem which involves finding methods to repurpose outdated infrastructure in existing residential neighborhoods. The vertical design system creates two main challenges which require architects to demonstrate their ability to think about spatial dimensions. The proposal needs to find a balance between protecting historical elements and implementing modern programs and developing feasible methods for preservation. The winning projects will use the tower as a component of the surrounding urban environment instead of treating it as a detached structure. The intervention succeeds when it establishes a connection between architectural space and the normal activities of community members.
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