📌About the Event

LOCUS 2026 is the inaugural edition of an intercollegiate architecture design competition organised by the Faculty of Architecture, Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Chennai. The competition gives young architecture students a platform to question conventional design approaches, explore the relationship between architecture and place, and develop context-driven ideas. The 2026 edition encourages participants to begin with the place, culture and everyday life rather than a predefined building type, promoting curiosity, critical thinking and creative architectural responses.

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ℹ️ Event Details

• Edition: 1st Edition
• Category: Architecture / Design Competition
• Mode: Registration is conducted online through the official LOCUS website and registration form.
• Core approach: Participants are encouraged to study a place and its context first, rather than beginning with a predetermined building programme.
• The competition focuses on context, culture, everyday rhythms, architectural exploration and design thinking.

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📅 Important Dates

• Competition launch: August 12, 2026
• Registration opens: August 14, 2026
• Registration deadline: September 7, 2026
• Final submission deadline: September 15, 2026

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🎯 Eligibility & Rules

• Eligibilty:
• Participants should develop an architectural response rooted in site/place, context and culture.
• The competition intentionally moves away from a rigid predefined architectural brief.
• Participants are encouraged to question, explore and identify architectural opportunities before proposing a design.
• The organiser’s campaign specifically highlights: no predefined briefs and a place-first approach.
• Entries must be submitted by September 15, 2026.
• Participants should follow the official LOCUS competition brief and submission requirements provided after/on registration.

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🏆 Benefits for the Participants

• 🥇 Locus Prima: ₹50,000
• 🥈 Locus Secunda: ₹35,000
• 🥉 Locus Honoris: ₹25,000
• Total announced prize pool: ₹1,10,000
• Participants also get an opportunity to showcase their architectural creativity and design thinking through an intercollegiate platform.