Key facts
- Type
- Competition
- Provider
- Iranian Canadian Architects & Artists Forum (ICAAF)
- Deadline
- 3/31/2027
In short
Design a contemporary, detached garden suite in North York, Toronto, reinterpreting traditional Persian architectural principles for a cold climate while adhering to local bylaws and the Ontario Building Code.
Persian Garden Suite: Redefining Iranian Architectural Concepts in Contemporary Toronto
By Iranian Canadian Architects & Artists Forum (ICAAF)
CompetitionAccepting applications nowApply by 3/31/2027196 days left
International Architectural Design Competition
Type
Toronto, Canada
Location
English
Language
Open, International
Format
Overview
The Persian Garden Suite competition is a global, single-stage architectural design initiative organized by the Iranian Canadian Architects & Artists Forum (ICAAF). It challenges architects and designers worldwide to create a contemporary, detached independent garden suite in North York, Toronto, Canada. The competition specifically focuses on how traditional Iranian spatial and landscape principles, such as privacy, unique spatial sequences, light optimization, and passive climate adaptation, can be effectively reinterpreted within modern urban frameworks. Participants are encouraged to explore a dialogue between regional architectural heritage, sustainable design, and the future of multi-generational urban housing. Proposals must demonstrate a balance between contemporary architectural identity and sustainability, incorporating passive design strategies suitable for cold climates, based on Design for the Environment (DfE) criteria. Furthermore, all designs must comply with the City of Toronto Garden Suite Bylaws and the Ontario Building Code (OBC). This open, international competition aims to foster innovative solutions that integrate cultural heritage with contemporary architectural needs, addressing both aesthetic and functional considerations for urban housing in Toronto.
What to build
A contemporary, detached independent garden suite in North York, Toronto. The design must reinterpret traditional Persian architectural concepts, incorporate passive design strategies for cold climates (based on DfE criteria), and comply with the City of Toronto Garden Suite Bylaws and the Ontario Building Code (OBC).
Key dates
- Competition Launch2026-07-15
- Registration & Submission Deadline2027-02-28
- Winners Announcement2027-05
Submission requirements
- Balance contemporary architectural identity and sustainability.
- Demonstrate passive design strategies for cold climates (based on DfE criteria).
- Comply with the City of Toronto Garden Suite Bylaws.
- Comply with the Ontario Building Code (OBC).