Key facts
- Type
- Competition
- Deadline
- 10/10/2026
In short
The UIA-HYP CUP 2026 is an international architectural design competition for students worldwide, challenging them to design communities in urban, suburban, or rural settings, with a top prize of RMB 80,000 (approx. USD 11,000).
UIA-HYP CUP 2026 International Student Competition in Architectural Design
CompetitionAccepting applications nowApply by 10/10/202671 days left
International
Scope
RMB 80,000 (approx. USD 11,000)
1st Prize
Architecture Students
Target Audience
Free
Participation Fee
UIA-endorsed
Status
15th Edition
Continuity
Overview
The UIA-HYP CUP 2026 International Student Competition in Architectural Design marks its 15th consecutive edition as the only UIA-endorsed international student architecture competition held annually in mainland China. This prestigious event invites architecture students globally to participate in a free-of-charge design challenge. The competition operates under the overarching theme “Architecture in Transformation,” with this year's specific topic being “Villagers: Urban, Suburban, Rural.” Participants are tasked with selecting one of these three living environments—urban, suburban, or rural—and then demonstrating innovative approaches to creating communities. The core objective is to design spaces that foster relevance, identity, and a strong sense of belonging for their inhabitants in an increasingly dynamic and changing world. Entries will undergo a two-stage evaluation process: an initial online Preliminary Review, followed by a Final Jury Review conducted by an international panel of experts. The 2026 Jury Chairman is Professor Philip Cox, Founding Partner of Cox Architecture and Officer of the Order of Australia. This competition provides a significant platform for emerging architectural talent to address contemporary societal challenges through design.
What to build
Participants must design communities that demonstrate relevance, identity, and a sense of belonging within one of three chosen environments: urban, suburban, or rural. The design should respond to the topic "Villagers: Urban, Suburban, Rural" under the main theme "Architecture in Transformation."
Prizes
1st Prize
Awarded to 1 team.
RMB 80,000 (approx. USD 11,000)
2nd Prize
Awarded to 5 teams.
RMB 15,000 each
3rd Prize
Awarded to 12 teams.
RMB 8,000 each
Honorable Mentions
Certificate
Advisors of prize-winning projects
Certificate
Key dates
- Registration Deadline20 September 2026
- Q&A Deadline30 September 2026
- Submission Deadline10 October 2026
- Jury ReviewNovember 2026
Eligibility
The competition is open to architecture students worldwide, including those pursuing Bachelor, Master, and PhD degrees. Participation is free of charge.
How to enter
- Register for the competition by the deadline of 20 September 2026.
- Develop a design solution based on the topic "Villagers: Urban, Suburban, Rural."
- Prepare submission materials according to the detailed format requirements and regulations published in the competition brief.
- Submit the entry by the deadline of 10 October 2026.
Submission requirements
- Entries must respond to the competition brief.
- Detailed submission materials and format requirements are available in the competition brief on the official website.
Judging criteria
- Entries will be evaluated based on their response to the competition brief and the topic "Villagers: Urban, Suburban, Rural."
- The evaluation process includes a Preliminary Review (online) and a Final Jury Review by an international panel.