Why an International Competition ?

International Architecture and Town Planning Competitions
conform with UNESCO-UIA regulations and approved by UIA

The client is free to choose an architect to design a project or alternatively to organise an architectural competition. In the latter case, an international jury, composed of a majority of architects, designates the architect who will be responsible for the realisation of the project.



Such has been the case for many prestigious buildings and territorial development projects:

The Sydney Opera House (Australia)
Architect: Jørn Utzon
The Georges Pompidou Center in Paris (France)
Architects: Renzo Piano, Richard Rodgers
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)
Architect: Henning Larsen
The Tokyo International Forum (Japan)
Architect: Rafael Viñoly
The Bibliothèque de France in Paris (France)
Architect: Dominique Perrault
The Arche de la Défense in Paris (France)
Architecte : Johann Otto von Spreckelsen
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Egypt)
Architects: Snøhetta


The International Union of Architects is mandated by UNESCO to oversee the observance of the conditions for launching and carrying out international architecture and town planning competitions, as defined by the UNESCO-UIA regulations for international competitions in architecture and town planning, adopted by UNESCO’s General Conference.

This document, together with the terms of application, is published in a Competitions Guide, available at the UIA General Secretariat in English and French.

The UIA is undoubtedly the only international body with authority in this field due to its long years of experience.

Through a wide range of objectives competitions, help enlarge horizons by calling for contributions worldwide:



To mark a period or a place (Georges Pompidou Centre - Paris)

To symbolize a civilisation (Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in New Delhi - National Museum of Korea)

To solicit solutions to new needs (Design of Bioclimatic Housing in Tenerife - Spain)
To address neglected social subjects (Solutions to problems of the homeless - CINTUS)

To encourage creativity and innovation

To reveal new talents
To heighten the awareness of the public and political authorities

To boost architectural education
To focus on the scope of the architect’s function



Update: 8/19/08
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