Organizer 

TerraViva Competitions

Location 

Pavia, Italy (historic centre)

Deadline 

November 6, 2026, 3:00 pm CET

Competition Category 

Architecture Design and Interior Renovation — Redesigning a traditional two-bedroom apartment on the sixth floor of a residential building in Pavia's historic centre into a contemporary home for 2–3 students

Eligibility 

Open to students, architects, designers, urbanists, engineers, artists, makers, activists and anyone interested in architectural design; individual or team participation (no team size limit with single registration; max 5 members with monthly membership plan); no nationality restrictions

Entry Fee

Early Registration: €69 (May 20 – Sep 4, 2026) — 15% off with promo code TSA15XTVC (valid until June 8)
Standard Registration: €99 (Sep 4 – Oct 16, 2026)
Late Registration: €139 (Oct 16 – Nov 6, 2026)
Monthly Membership Plan: from €19 (access to all competitions)
Student and group discounts available upon request

Prizes/Awards 

Total prize pool: €8,000 + Public Exhibition

1st Prize: €3,000
2nd Prize: €2,000
3rd Prize: €1,000
5 Golden Mentions: Coupon for a free membership
10 Honorable Mentions: Coupon for a free competition entry
30 Finalists: Published on TerraViva channels

Core Introduction 

The Students Apartment competition challenges architects and designers to completely rethink a traditional two-bedroom apartment located in the heart of Pavia, one of Italy's most prestigious university cities. Situated on the sixth floor of a residential building in the historic centre, the long-unused unit offers panoramic views and a strategic position. Participants are invited to transform it into a contemporary home for 2–3 students, redesigning the internal layout to balance flexibility, comfort, privacy and social interaction. Designers must reflect on how undergraduates live today — hybrid routines of studying, resting, gathering and sharing — with furniture systems, multifunctional solutions, adaptable spaces and storage strategies playing a crucial role. Submission requires one A1 horizontal panel (594×841mm) and a brief project description. The jury consists of 7 international architects and designers from Chile, Turkey, Italy, the USA and Argentina. Winners will be announced on December 9, 2026.