UIA-HYP CUP 2026 International Student Competition
International Union of Architects (UIA)
📌About the Event
The UIA-HYP CUP 2026 International Student Competition in Architectural Design is a global architecture competition inviting students to rethink how communities can live across urban, suburban and rural environments. Under the theme “Architecture in Transformation” and the 2026 topic “Villagers: Urban, Suburban, Rural,” participants must develop architectural proposals that strengthen community identity, social interaction, sustainability and people’s sense of belonging. The 2026 competition is chaired by Australian architect Philip Cox.
ℹ️ Event Details
- Edition: 15th annual edition
- Theme: Architecture in Transformation
- 2026 topic: Villagers: Urban, Suburban, Rural
- Jury chairman: Philip Cox, founding partner of Cox Architecture
- Mode of conduct: Online registration and digital submission
- Geographical scope: International; students from universities worldwide can participate
- Participants must select one of the following living contexts:
- Urban
- Suburban
- Rural
- The design should explore how relevant, socially connected and sustainable communities can be created within the selected setting.
- Urban proposals may reconsider disused industrial areas or high-density neighbourhoods.
- Suburban proposals should focus on cohesive communities rather than uncontrolled sprawl.
- Rural proposals should demonstrate sustainability, landscape integration, local identity and vernacular values.
- Participants are encouraged to integrate passive-energy systems, renewable energy, water management, waste reduction, low-carbon materials and emerging technologies.
📅 Important Dates
- Registration deadline: September 20, 2026, at 24:00 GMT+8
- Submission deadline: October 10, 2026, at 24:00 GMT+8
- Submission deadline in India: October 10, 2026, at approximately 9:30 PM IST
- Jury review: November 2026
🎯 Eligibility & Rules
- Open to full-time, on-campus students studying:
- Architecture
- Architectural design
- Other relevant or related majors
- Eligible academic levels include:
- Undergraduate students
- Master’s students
- Full-time PhD candidates
- Participants may enter individually or as a team.
- A team can have a maximum of four student members.
- Each team may have up to two academic advisers.
- Advisers must be teachers at a university or college.
- Each student may register with only one team.
- Each individual or team may submit only one project.
- Indian students enrolled in eligible institutions can participate under the international group.
- Mixed teams containing students from mainland Chinese and overseas institutions are classified under the domestic group.
🏆 Benefits for the Participants
- First Prize
- Number of winners: One team
- Cash prize: RMB 80,000
- Approximate value: USD 11,000 before tax
- Certificate included
- Second Prize
- Number of winners: Five teams
- Cash prize: RMB 15,000 per team
- Approximate value: USD 2,050 before tax
- Certificate included
- Third Prize
- Number of winners: Twelve teams
- Cash prize: RMB 8,000 per team
- Approximate value: USD 1,100 before tax
- Certificate included