Deadline: December 3, 2026
The Architect's Chair – Stockholm Furniture Fair Edition (6th Edition) 2026
Categories:
Single-category competition: design an "Architect's Chair"
- Encourages participants to distill architectural thinking into a single furniture piece
- Accepts chairs, benches, stools, and any form of seating; reimagining the very process of "sitting" is welcomed
- Final renders or concept representations are accepted — no need to build a physical chair
- No stylistic constraints; key exploration areas: materials, craftsmanship, construction techniques, ergonomics, and innovation
- Open to architects, artists, and creatives from all backgrounds worldwide
- Emerging talents, established professionals, and bold new voices are all welcome
- No professional qualification required
- Individual or team participation (maximum 4 team members)
- All submissions and communication with organizers must be in English
- Entries are evaluated anonymously — participant registration type is only revealed upon result announcement
| Stage | Registration Period | Architect/Enthusiast/Company | Student |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Bird | Jun 17 – Jul 23 | €110 | €90 |
| Advanced | Jul 24 – Sep 24 | €120 | €110 |
| Last Minute | Sep 25 – Dec 3 | €140 | €120 |
Awards & Benefits:
Total prize fund €8,000 + Exhibition at Stockholm Furniture Fair
- 1st Place: €3,500
- 2nd Place: €2,000
- 3rd Place: €1,000
- Student Award: €1,000
- Sustainability Award: €500
- 6 Honourable Mentions with certificates
- Publicity: Feature on Buildner.com (1M+ annual visitors), social networks (800K+ followers), and newsletter (200K+ subscribers); ArchDaily feature; inclusion in a competition book; interview and movie opportunities
- Exhibition at Stockholm Furniture Fair: Selected winning designs will be exhibited at one of the world's most prestigious furniture and design events, providing international exposure before architects, designers, manufacturers, buyers, and industry leaders from around the globe
Introduction:
The Architect's Chair is Buildner's signature furniture design competition series, with the 6th edition presented in partnership with Stockholm Furniture Fair, the world's leading platform for Scandinavian design. The competition continues the long-standing tradition of architects extending their design philosophy into furniture — a legacy embodied by iconic chairs from Charles and Ray Eames, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Marcel Breuer, and Arne Jacobsen. It invites a new generation of designers to apply architectural principles and thinking to a single object: a chair that reflects their unique creative identity, exploring materials, craftsmanship, construction techniques, ergonomics, and innovation. This special edition's evaluation will take place in connection with Stockholm Furniture Fair, and selected winning designs will be exhibited at the fair, offering winners unparalleled international visibility, valuable networking opportunities, and direct access to global industry decision-makers. Participants retain full ownership and authorship of their work; Buildner only receives permission to share and promote the work as part of the competition.
