The inaugural edition of this international ideas competition aims to inspire innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective design solutions that enhance collective well-being. This year’s challenge focuses on addressing New York City’s urgent need for affordable rental housing. Winners will be recognized for proposing how desirable urban living can be made accessible to lower-income New Yorkers.

New York City is experiencing its most severe housing crisis in decades. Addressing this issue requires selecting sites and designing buildings that allow for fast, cost-efficient construction of high-quality, affordable apartments—homes that provide modern comfort and blend seamlessly with their higher-end counterparts. To meet this challenge, we invite students and professionals to envision a 30-story residential tower that can be easily replicated on sites designated for subsidized housing.

This competition will recognize 10 winners - top 5 entries and 5 honorable mentions.

The winners of this competition will be decided through public voting. Anyone can participate in the voting, but each person is allowed to vote only once. Voting will begin after the submission deadline has passed, and once a vote is cast, it cannot be changed.

Once you register via this site, you or your teammates may log in and edit your competition entry as many times as you like until the deadline.

• Include architectural concept drawings including but not limited to:
  a. Site plan showing building placement and access (parking not required)
  b. Cross-sectional drawings
  c. Elevations
  d. Floor plans that depict unit size and configuration, the mix of studio, one-bedroom and larger units

1. Consider the ease and efficiency with which the structure can be built

2. Optimize framing for greatest design flexibility to enable uncomplicated modification or expansion to accommodate future requirements

3. Present a resilient, versatile, and environmentally responsible building solution