Dezeen Competitions: TerraViva seeks proposals to transform a historic village square in Candelo, Italy, into a public space that serves as a daily passageway for schoolchildren and the wider community.

The competition asks designers to create an adaptable and cost-effective landscaping solution, which is capable of delivering a lasting impact.

This competition is now closed

Organiser: TerraViva
Competition: Candelo Urban Link
Judges:

• Barbara Acquadro Maran, head of public works at Candelo Municipality
• Stefano Recalcati, associate director at Arup
• Alice Trematerra, creative director at Didacommunicationlab
• Ángel Cerezo Cerezo, founder and partner of Cream Estudio
• Emanuele Barili, architect and founder of ECÒL
• Lucia Paci, co-founder of Operastudio
• Lucía Bocchimuzzi, senior mobility consultant at MIC-HUB
• Toufic Rifai, architect and consultant at Lombardini 22

Submission deadline: 13 February 2026
Winner announcement: 16 March 2026
Prizes: the first prize is $7,000, the second prize is $2,000, and the third prize is $1,000. There are also five golden mentions that will receive a coupon for a free TerraViva membership and ten honourable mentions that will receive a coupon for a free competition. Thirty finalists will be published on TerraViva's channels

Click here to enter ›

Competition overview

"Nestled in a medieval Piedmontese village lies a square fragmented by a steep level change and stripped of a clear identity. This competition invites designers to envision its transformation into an accessible, multifunctional space – one that serves as both a daily passageway for schoolchildren and families, and a vibrant gathering place for the wider community.

"At the heart of the challenge is the redesign of the connection between the square's two levels, replacing or integrating the existing staircase with a ramp system that becomes a defining feature of the site.

"Around this central intervention, participants are encouraged to develop a holistic vision for the entire space, reorganising parking, weaving in greenery and shaded areas, adding urban furniture, sports facilities and flexible zones.

"Candelo Urban Link embraces the principles of 'tactical urbanism' promoting lightweight, adaptable and cost-effective solutions capable of delivering a lasting impact.

"The goal is to pair functional improvements with a strong visual identity, turning a neglected corner into a welcoming civic landmark that honours the town's heritage while embracing a contemporary vision of public space."

Eligibility and judging criteria

The competition is open to architects, designers, students, urbanists, engineers, artists, enthusiasts and anyone interested in the fields of design and architecture.

The jury will evaluate all the proposals according to the following principles:

• Originality of the concept
• Integration with the context
• Creative interpretation of the programme
• Sensitive use of materials and textures
• Structural and spatial innovation
• Climate resilience strategies
• Graphic representation

Projects that express sensitivity towards heritage preservation and quality architectural solutions will be appreciated.

How to enter

Participants are required to submit two A1 panels and a brief text describing the project.

For more information visit the competition's website.

Submission deadlines

The submission deadline is 13 February 2026 and winners will be announced on 16 March 2026.

About Terraviva

TerraViva is a platform dedicated to the organisation of international architecture and design competitions.

The organisation connects talented designers around the world with partners and stakeholders looking for high-quality projects to rehabilitate a building, redesign an urban plot, or transform an entire district.

In addition to the organisation's focus on architecture, it also works on graphic design contests, providing the ideal platform for international creatives to showcase their visual communication skills and contribute to innovative projects.

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