Organizer

AIA Colorado, the City and County of Denver, and Buildner

Location

Global (The competition does not prescribe a specific site, but proposals should be tailored to Denver’s specific context)

Deadline

• Early Bird Registration: APRIL 10 – MAY 28
• Advance Registration: MAY 29 – JULY 17
• Last Minute Registration: JULY 18 – SEPTEMBER 18
• Final registration deadline: SEPTEMBER 18, 2025
• Closing date for submission: OCTOBER 20, 2025 (23:59 LONDON TIME)
• Announcement of the winners: DECEMBER 10, 2025

Competition Category

• Affordable housing solutions
• Architectural, urban, or policy-driven frameworks
• Building typologies, neighborhood strategies, or systemic interventions

Eligibility

Unlimited (Competition is open to all. No professional qualification is required. Design proposals can be developed individually or by teams with a maximum of 4 team members) .

Entry Fee

Paid.

Architect / Enthusiast / Company: 140€

Student: 120€

Prizes/Awards

• Total Prize Fund: $20,000 .
  • 1st Prize: $10,000
  • 2nd Prize: $5,000
  • 3rd Prize: $3,000
  • Buildner Student Award: $1,000
  • Buildner Sustainability Award: $1,000
• 6 Honorable mentions & certificates .
• Winners will receive extensive publicity, including a feature on ArchDaily, an interview, and a movie .

Core Introduction

The Denver Affordable Housing Challenge is an international architecture competition that explores how affordability and design excellence can be harmonized to create innovative, high-quality housing solutions tailored to Denver’s specific context . Participants are encouraged to reimagine the role of affordable housing as a tool for elevating neighborhoods, reinforcing urban identity, and addressing broader challenges such as climate change and social inclusion .