Concrete Pavilion
Dezeen Competitions: Buildner's Concrete Pavilion competition asks participants to create a structure from concrete that is both functional and sculptural.
Participants are asked to take a sustainable approach to designing the pavilion, which is to be no larger than 50 square metres.
This competition is now closed
Organiser: Buildner
Competition: Concrete Pavilion
Judges: yet to be announced
Submission deadline: 12 January 2026
Winner announcement: 24 February 2026
Prizes: the first prize is €5,000, the second prize is €2,500, third prize is €1,000. Prizes also include a Buildner Student Award at €1,000, a Buildner Sustainability Award at €500 and six honourable mentions
Competition overview
This edition of Buildner's Material Studies competition series challenges participants to design a concrete pavilion. This should be a space that not only showcases the versatility and raw beauty of concrete, but also educates the public about its evolving applications.
The pavilion should be designed as either a temporary or permanent structure, with a total area not exceeding 50 square metres. Participants are free to choose the site's location, but are encouraged to consider contexts where the pavilion could generate a meaningful dialogue between material and place.
The design must explore the sensory and tactile qualities of concrete, including its textures, colours, finishes and forms. Whether through cast-in-place elements, precast modules, or even experimental mixes with additives and aggregates, participants should stretch the limits of what concrete can do.
The pavilion should serve as both a functional exhibition space and a sculptural object – one that sparks curiosity, provokes thought and invites interaction.
Participants are encouraged to incorporate sustainable strategies through materials, methods, or messaging into their proposals. The goal is not only to build with concrete, but to build better with it.
Eligibility and judging criteria
The competition is open to all. No professional qualifications are required.
Design proposals can be developed individually or by teams of up to four people.
All information submitted by participants must be in English. The full entry requirements are detailed on Buildner's website.
How to enter
All submissions must be uploaded via the upload panel:
- Participants must communicate their ideas without the use of any text
- Participants are required to upload one A2 landscape-oriented presentation board with sketches, renderings, plans, sections, elevations, diagrammes and/or other presentation tools to explain their proposal
- No video files are accepted
- Access information and instructions on how to upload the presentation boards will be issued to participants via email immediately after successful registration
- Presentation boards must not indicate any information related to an individual's/team's identity
Submission deadlines
All participants must register for submission by 27 November 2025. The closing date for submissions is 12 January 2026.
Winners will be announced on 24 February 2026.
About Buildner
Buildner publishes international architecture competitions, providing a platform for designers and architects to showcase their work and shape the future of the built environment.
For over ten years, the platform has published more than 140 competitions and had over 400 guest jury members.
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