Jabal Umm Nuthaylah International Site Design Ideas Competition Launches Global Call

Overview

The Jabal Umm Nuthaylah International Site Design Ideas Competition invites global professionals and students in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design to submit proposals. The competition aims to reimagine Jabal Umm Nuthaylah, a significant volcanic landmark located fourteen kilometres south of Al-Masjid Al-Nabawi in Madinah. Participants are tasked with transforming this unique geological site into a sustainable cultural destination. The core challenge is to develop innovative, integrated designs that seamlessly combine architectural interventions, landscape design principles, and cultural heritage preservation, all while maintaining the site's distinctive natural identity. The competition offers a total prize pool of USD 430,000, seeking to encourage creative and thoughtful solutions that contribute to Madinah's cultural landscape. The organizers are looking for proposals that demonstrate a deep understanding of the site's context and its potential as a vibrant, sustainable hub. Registration for this international ideas competition is open until August 20, 2026.

What to build

Participants must design an integrated site plan for Jabal Umm Nuthaylah, transforming it into a sustainable cultural destination. The design should preserve the site's unique geological identity while incorporating architecture, landscape, and cultural heritage elements.

Prizes

Key dates

• Registration closes20 August 2026

Eligibility

The competition is open to architects, landscape architects, urban designers, and multidisciplinary teams from around the world. It is open to both professionals and students, including young architects.

How to enter

1. Register for the competition by 20 August 2026.

Resources

• Organizer's Website