Architects, designers, and creative professionals have numerous opportunities to showcase their talents through a diverse array of international design competitions closing in October 2025. These contests span from urban planning projects in Mongolia to Renaissance-inspired design challenges and sustainable solutions addressing logistical issues across Africa. The competitions offer significant prize pools and recognition opportunities for participants willing to push their creative boundaries.
Designboom has compiled a comprehensive roundup of 11 unmissable competitions with approaching deadlines, serving as both a vital platform for emerging creatives and a direct connection between institutions and global audiences. The platform has established itself as the premier destination for competition submissions and open calls, encouraging readers to explore the complete listings while inviting organizers to submit their own competitions.
The TITAN Property Awards Season 2, organized by the International Advertising Awards (IAA) with a deadline of October 22, 2025, celebrates groundbreaking designs and architectural excellence that establish new industry benchmarks. This prestigious competition honors visionaries who push the boundaries of architecture and interior design, creating innovative spaces that seamlessly blend beauty, functionality, and cutting-edge design concepts. The awards are divided into eight distinct categories: Property Development, Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Design, Lighting Design, Conceptual Design, Real Estate, and Property Marketing.
Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025, closing on October 30, 2025, marks the inaugural edition of an annual competition dedicated to celebrating architectural design excellence. This international contest welcomes submissions of unbuilt projects that participants are most proud of, regardless of publication status or completion level. The competition features an impressive prize pool of $100,000, demonstrating its commitment to celebrating and supporting architectural innovation across all stages of development.
The Hunnu City International Urban Planning Competition, with a submission deadline of November 4, 2025, invites architects, planners, and innovators to shape the conceptual framework for Hunnu City, a next-generation urban center that blends innovation with traditional values. International design studios and cross-disciplinary teams are encouraged to create a smart, sustainable, climate-resilient, and human-centered city design. With over 1.4 billion MNT in prizes and opportunities to influence a landmark development project, participants have the chance to make a lasting impact on Mongolia's urban future.
The 2025 Rome Design Awards Season 2, organized by IAA with a November 28, 2025 deadline, champions the Renaissance spirit while celebrating modern creatives who sculpt visionary works similar to historical virtuosos. This competition celebrates the art of transformation, recognizing designers who pioneer new techniques and establish excellence standards. The theme represents design's evolutionary journey from classical foundations to contemporary innovations, highlighting industry leaders who redefine creative boundaries.
The UN Design Award, managed by the International Competition Association and closing November 30, 2025, calls for global participation from architects, designers, developers, manufacturers, property owners, educators, and students. The competition features two main categories: professional and student groups, accepting concept designs, ongoing projects, or completed works from the past five years. Eligible submissions must align with one of six categories: Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Design, Lighting Design, Product Design, or Graphic Design.
VAND Design Award 2025, organized by VAND International with a November 30, 2025 deadline, seeks calm, responsible, and purposeful design solutions. The competition honors work that transcends trends and spectacle, instead seeking balance, dignity, and quiet strength in creative expression. Entry categories include Architecture and Interior Design, Product and Industrial Design, Visual Communication, Visual Identity, and UI/UX Design.
The seventh edition of Toyota Logistic Design Competition 2026, closing December 1, 2025, focuses specifically on Africa's logistical challenges. Open to design students and recent graduates worldwide, the competition invites creative and sustainable solutions to address the continent's most pressing transportation and logistics issues. Submissions should fall within Product Design, Digital Platforms, Business Innovation, or an Open Category for unconventional yet impactful concepts, with the winning design receiving a $6,000 prize.
TerraViva's "Rising from Ashes" competition, with a December 8, 2025 deadline, challenges participants to reimagine sacred architecture as a comprehensive sensory, symbolic, and communal experience. The goal involves envisioning a new place of worship accommodating 400 people, where mystical elements meet social interaction and liturgical functions engage with everyday life. Proposals should specifically explore constructing a new Christian church for Altadena, a California region where multiple religious buildings were destroyed in early 2025 wildfires.
The Alpine Refuge World Architecture Competition, organized by AG360 with a December 15, 2025 deadline, seeks designs for a mountain retreat serving athletes and travelers needing comfortable, contemplative rest spaces before continuing their Swiss Alps journey. The facility should include accommodations, an infirmary, a café, and an elevated viewing platform, creating an ideal location for rest and reflection. Strategically positioned to connect the Hospice and Julen Theater, the structure must withstand harsh conditions while remaining easy to maintain.
Two competitions from nonarchitecture round out the list: the New Zealand Nature Retreat competition (December 21, 2025 deadline) challenges designers to create sustainable, off-grid structures on the remote Antipodes Island, harmonizing with harsh climate conditions and fragile ecosystems. The London Urban Retreat competition (December 30, 2025 deadline) involves transforming the historic Haggerston Baths, an abandoned Grade II listed Edwardian bathhouse in East London, into a modern retreat for mind, body, and spirit. Both competitions offer total prize pools of $10,000 each, distributed among three winning proposals, one special award, and ten honorable mentions.
