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Architects Worldwide Invited to Reimagine Affordable Housing in Denver’s Design Challenge
International architecture ideas competition explores how affordability and design excellence can be harmonized to create innovative, high-quality housing solutions tailored to Denver’s specific context.
April 10, 2025 (DENVER) — The City of Denver, The Colorado Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and Buildner, a leading global design competition platform, are launching an international call for ideas to address Denver’s housing needs with a focus on the role of design excellence. The competition anticipates over one hundred entries to be submitted by a local and global audience of architects engaged in addressing affordable housing, providing Denver with a platform of ideas to consider as the region addresses future affordable housing needs.
“This competition aligns with Denver’s focus on building an affordable and climate resilient community, and we look forward to building on the momentum of quality design and sustainability that is surfacing across Denver’s affordable housing landscape. Affordable housing and climate resiliency intersect with design excellence, and we’re excited to bring the best and brightest ideas forward.”
– Jamie Rife, Executive Director, Denver’s Department of Housing Stability
Through a jury of respected architects, City of Denver representatives and Councilmembers, and affordable housing developers, submissions will be reviewed and selected based on creatively addressing design excellence, sustainability, demonstrating how affordability and design can coexist.
“Colorado has always been a place known for design leadership and architectural innovation. There is no bigger issue to apply our skills to than affordable housing and no larger stage than an international design competition. We’re looking forward to contributions from the 101,000 members of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) as we all seek to build the affordable, resilient future this great city needs.”
– Mike Waldinger, CEO, AIA Colorado
Buildner is a worldwide platform targeting established architects and engineers as well as students. As seen by the recent Denver Single-Stair Challenge hosted by Buildner, 200 applications were received from around the world with the winning entry coming from Lebanon.
Winning entries will be rewarded from a pool of $20,000 comprised of contributions from The City of Denver, AIA Colorado, and Buildner and include prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd as well as Student Award and Sustainability Award, plus 6 honorable mentions.
The competition begins April 9th with early bird registration and closes September 11th. Winners will be announced December 10that a media event open to the public, in Denver, the first week of December.
Building Community
Denver Community Planning and Development (CPD) is responsible for visionary city planning and ensuring safe, responsible, sustainable building. CPD regulates planning, zoning, development and maintenance of private property in Denver. We’re working hard to make Denver a great place to live, work and play!
DenverGov.org/CPD
About AIA Colorado
AIA Colorado is a membership association working to advance the architecture profession in Colorado. Through advocacy, leadership development, education, and resources, the organization supports architecture professionals throughout the state in designing a better world. Our 2,500 members include architects, those working toward licensure, and allied industry professionals.
aiacolorado.org
Competition link: architecturecompetitions.com/denverhousing