Denver Affordable Housing Challenge Announces Jury

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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.

June 16, 2025 (DENVER) — The City of Denver, The Colorado Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, and Buildner, a leading global design competition platform, have launched 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.

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.

Lucy Begg, AIA
Thoughtbarn
Austin, TX

Troy Fosler, AIA
Koning Eizenberg Architecture
Santa Monica, CA

Dean Maltz, AIA
Shigeru Ban Architects
New York City

Katie Swenson, Assoc. AIA
MASS Design Group
Boston

Julien De Smedt
JDS Architects
Denmark

Rozana Montiel
Rozana Montiel Estudio de Arquitectura
Mexico

Andrew Maynard
Austin Maynard Architects
Australia

Kendra Garrett
City and County of Denver

Caeli Hill
City and County of Denver

Gosia Kung
Denver Housing Authority

Brenna Maloney
Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency, City and County of Denver

Susan Powers
Urban Ventures, LLC
Denver

The competition began April 9th with early bird registration and closes September 11th. Winners will be announced December 10^that a media event open to the public, in Denver, the first week of December.

Competition link: architecturecompetitions.com/denverhousing

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

AIA Colorado Media Contact: 
Mike Waldinger, Hon. AIA
CEO, AIA Colorado
303.228.3915 
mike@aiacolorado.org

City and County of Denver Media Contact:
Ryan Huff
Communications Director
Community Planning and Development
City and County of Denver
720.913.1608
ryan.huff@denvergov.org