International Competition for a New Academic Wing of 18. Comprehensive School "William Gladstone"
Dezeen Competitions: the International Competition for a New Academic Wing of 18. Comprehensive School "William Gladstone" is inviting creatives to develop a concept design for a new school facility.
The competition intends to expand the historic school in Sofia, Bulgaria, creating high-quality educational spaces whilst reorganising the existing schoolyard.
Organiser: 18. Comprehensive School "William Gladstone"
Co-organiser: Optimistas
Competition: International Competition for a New Academic Wing of 18. Comprehensive School "William Gladstone" – Sofia, Bulgaria
Judges: to be announced
Submission deadline: 1 February 2027
Prizes: first place €30,000, second place €20,000 and third place €10,000
Competition overview
The goal of the competition is developing a concept design for a new academic wing at 18. Comprehensive School "William Gladstone", one of the oldest educational institutions in Sofia.
The expansion aims to provide updated educational resources and allow the school to transition students to a single-shift schedule.
Proposals must also include the functional organisation and landscape design of the existing schoolyard, reconfiguring access points and circulation to ensure the safe movement of students, teachers and visitors.
Information on how to enter can be found on the competition's website.
Eligibility and judging criteria
The competition is open to Bulgarian and foreign individuals, legal entities and associations without restriction.
Participant groups invited to negotiate a design contract must have at least one team member with full design qualifications.
The proposals will be judged on:
- Architectural concept and spatial idea: overall design vision and spatial strategy
- Functional organisation and learning environment: layout and suitability for contemporary teaching methods
- Integration into the existing environment and respect for the historical context: harmony with the surrounding site and heritage
- Sustainability, feasibility and efficiency of the design solution: environmental responsibility and practical implementation
- Economic feasibility: cost-efficiency and budget alignment
Submission deadlines
The deadline for submitting questions is 23 January 2027, followed by the deadline for registration and document submission on 27 January 2027.
The final deadline for project submissions is 1 February 2027.
The decision on competition results will be announced no later than 16 April 2027.
About 18. Comprehensive School "William Gladstone"
18. Comprehensive School "William Gladstone" is one of the oldest educational institutions in Sofia, Bulgaria, dedicated to providing high-quality learning environments and implementing contemporary teaching methods that meet global standards.
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