Submission requirements and conditions

The Task

We are looking for proposals for architecture that creates a functional, aesthetic, and sustainable habitat for one or more wild animals in the city. Participants are free to choose which animal(s) the project will focus on.

To participate, you must submit a physical prototype/model of the proposal along with a short descriptive text. See additional submission requirements and conditions.

Who Can Participate?

This is an architecture competition, but all students, students at højskoler, and recent graduates in architecture, design, arts and crafts, or landscape architecture are welcome to participate. If you are a recent graduate, you must have graduated within the last two years. Students in the aforementioned fields, who are currently on a study break may also participate. Note: This competition format is intended for Denmark-based individuals.

You can participate individually or as a team. For team submissions, all participants must belong to the specified target group.

The following individuals are excluded from participating in the competition:

• Anyone who has been involved in organizing the competition or significantly contributed to formulating it.
• Employees of partners and jury members.
• Individuals with close personal relationships to jury members or their employees.

Prizes

Cash prizes will be awarded to up to three winning proposals, totaling 50,000 DKK.

In addition, the competition offers opportunities for exposure through its media campaign and potential exhibition at the Utzon Center and/or DAC after the competition concludes.

Evaluation Criteria

We are looking for proposals that:

• Set new, high standards for how humans and wild animals can coexist in a Danish urban context.
• Demonstrate high architectural quality and an understanding of the needs of wild animals, emphasizing humans’ ethical obligation to create space for nature, including animals, in urban environments.
• Combine functional needs and artistic expression to create synergy among all living beings.
• Are based on an impact-oriented and optimistic approach to problem-solving design.

The competition is part of the EU project Desire – Designing the Irresistible Circular Society, which aims to transition to a sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant Europe. Desire’s values and mission align with the European movement New European Bauhaus (NEB). Familiarity with Desire and NEB’s values may benefit competition participants.

Jury

Alexander Holm 

Biologist specializing in nature conservation and host of the podcast Den Dyriske Time as well as the radio program Det billige skidt. He is a co-founder of the Species Association, a columnist for Politiken, Altinget, and the Biologiforbundet, and works actively to raise awareness about biodiversity and the value of nature through communication and debate.

Frederik Mads Svendsen

Architect and co-founder of Studio Coquille. He works to create sustainable and sensory architectural solutions that promote coexistence between humans, animals, and nature. Frederik has a passion for developing dynamic ecosystems through interdisciplinary collaborations.

Marie Frier Hvejsel 

Architect and professor at the Aarhus School of Architecture. Her work contributes to a deeper understanding of how architectural quality can be expressed in both technical and aesthetic terms, focusing on uniting functional and emotional aspects in architecture.

Mette Skjold 

Architect and professor at the Aarhus School of Architecture. Her work contributes to a deeper understanding of how architectural quality can be expressed in both technical and aesthetic terms, focusing on uniting functional and emotional aspects in architecture.

Rasmus Vincentz

Founder of Habitats and initiator of Vild Med Vilje. He has been a pioneer in urban nature and biodiversity for 12 years and is the lead author of the catalog Biodiversitet i byggeri og byudvikling udgivet for Realdania, published for Realdania. Rasmus works visionarily to integrate nature into building and urban development.

Submission Materials

Participants must submit both physical and digital materials to enter the competition:

Physical

• Prototype/model with maximum dimensions of 60 x 60 x 60 cm. This must be clearly marked with the identification number and project title.
  
  The model must be stable and securely packed, as the submission materials will be transported to the Utzon Center in Aalborg. Unfortunately, we cannot be held responsible for the submitted materials.

Digital and Physical

• A description of the project, in Danish or English, with a maximum of 1500 characters including spaces.
   

  The text must be submitted in physical print (A4) along with the model, marked with the identification number and project title. The text must also be submitted via the digital platform.

Digital

• Information about the contributors to the proposal must be filled out on the digital platform.

• Aphotograph of the model (file format: JPG). The file must be named with the identification number and project title and uploaded via the digital platform.

Submission Deadline

Digital and physical submissions must be made no later than March 3, 2025, at 2:00 PM.

Submission Locations

Digital submission via this platform.

Physical hand-in happens on February 24-28 and March 3, 2025, between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM at one of the following locations:

Aalborg: Utzon Center, Slotspladsen 4, 9000 Aalborg, the reception (within the specified time frame or by appointment).
Copenhagen: Danish Architecture Center, Bryghuspladsen 10, 1473 Copenhagen, the reception.
Aarhus: To be updated.
Kolding: Design School Kolding, Ågade 10, 6000 Kolding, the reception.

Anonymity

The competition is anonymous. No part of the proposal may include names, logos, or other elements that can reveal the identity of the participants. The submitted materials must not be shared on social media or otherwise made public until the competition has concluded.

Identification Numbers and Naming

All submitted materials must be clearly labeled with a self-chosen 5-digit identification number and a project title. Avoid obvious identification numbers such as ‘23456’ or ‘55555’.

This should be stated as follows: “XXXXX - project title”

Selection Process

In the case of a large number of submissions, the competition organizers will establish a qualified team to conduct a pre-selection of the submitted proposals before the final evaluation by the jury.

Media Campaign

The competition organizer intends for the winning proposal(s) to be included in a media campaign focused on equality among species. To maximize awareness of the biodiversity crisis, the winning proposals will be photographed and showcased in Denmark – Europe – Worldwide?

Rights

The copyright of a competition proposal always remains with the proposer, but by participating in the competition, ownership rights to the awarded proposals are transferred to the competition organizer. This means that the Utzon Center, the Danish Architecture Center, and third parties have the right to publish the submitted proposals, for example in newspapers and digital media, including photographing them and incorporating them into a media campaign. When published, the names of the proposers will be credited.

The Utzon Center and the Danish Architecture Center also reserve the right to select projects from all submissions for exhibition at the Utzon Center or the Danish Architecture Center.

Pick-up of Models After Competition

All proposals not selected for exhibition must be collected from the Utzon Center, Slotspladsen 4, 9000 Aalborg, between April 14–30, 2025, during opening hours. After this period, any uncollected materials will be disposed of.

Insurance

The proposals will not be insured.

Important Dates

• March 3, 2025: Submissions accepted until March 3 (both digital and physical).
• March 31, 2025: Announcement of winners.
• April 14–30, 2025: Collection of models at the Utzon Center, Slotspladsen 4, 9000 Aalborg, during opening hours.