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Q: How does a team receive their team unique code?
A: All the participants will only receive the team unique code on completion of registration process.
Introduction
Public space is where collective life unfolds. It is where communities gather, differences coexist, and civic culture becomes visible. From informal meetings to public debate, from everyday routines to shared celebrations, these spaces shape how we live together.
Yet the way we interact with these spaces is rapidly evolving. Digital platforms increasingly mediate how we communicate, work, learn, and socialize. At the same time, climate instability, social fragmentation, and spatial inequality are redefining the responsibilities of architecture.
While the world often focuses on large infrastructure and landmark architecture, everyday public life frequently unfolds in much smaller spaces. In this context, public space can no longer remain static. It must adapt, respond, and remain relevant. These small-scale environments can be delivered faster, adapted more easily, and implemented more affordably than large civic projects.
Challenge
Public space is where collective life unfolds. It is where communities gather, differences coexist, and civic culture becomes visible. From informal meetings to public debate, from everyday routines to shared celebrations, these spaces shape how we live together.
Yet the way we interact with these spaces is rapidly evolving. Digital platforms increasingly mediate how we communicate, work, learn, and socialize. At the same time, climate instability, social fragmentation, and spatial inequality are redefining the responsibilities of architecture.
While the world often focuses on large infrastructure and landmark architecture, everyday public life frequently unfolds in much smaller spaces. In this context, public space can no longer remain static. It must adapt, respond, and remain relevant. These small-scale environments can be delivered faster, adapted more easily, and implemented more affordably than large civic projects.
UNBOX invites participants to rethink public architecture for contemporary life, and imagine a Micro architecture solution that is adaptable, inclusive, multifunctional and responsive to rapidly changing social, technological, and environmental realities.
Design Small. Big Impact!
Awards
1st Prize
$ 5000
Certificate of Achievement
Publication
2nd Prize
$ 2500
Certificate of Achievement
Publication
3rd Prize
$ 1500
Certificate of Achievement
Publication
Gold
Mentions
$ 1000
Certificate of Achievement
Publication
10 Honorable Mentions : Certificates
Winners and Honourable Mentions will be published on Volume Zero website and several international architecture and design magazines.
Participation Certificates
To show our appreciation, all the participants would receive participation certificate.
Jury
Chen Xi
Atelier Xi, China
Jose Gomez
Natura Futura, Ecuador
Lui Hanxio
LLLab, China
Luis Ricardo
LLLab, China
Varudh Varavarn
Vin Varavarn Architects, Thailand
Schedule
Competition
Launch
05 March 2026
Registrations
Deadline
24 September 2026
Submissions
Deadline
03 December 2026
Winners
Announcement
05 February 2027
Note: All the Deadlines are scheduled at 11:59 pm Indian Standard Time
Registration Fees
Headstart Registration
5th March, 2026 - 17th July, 2026
For participants from India
INR 3540 / per team
INR 2700 + 18% GST
For participants from other countries
USD 94.4 / per team
USD 70 + 18% GST
Early Bird Registration
18th July, 2026 - 24th September, 2026
For participants from India
INR 3540 / per team
INR 3000 + 18% GST
For participants from other countries
USD 94.4 / per team
USD 80 + 18% GST
Standard Registrations
25th September, 2026 - 13th November, 2026
For participants from India
INR 4130 / per team
INR 3500 + 18% GST
For participants from other countries
USD 112.1 / per team
USD 95 + 18% GST
Process
Register
Download the Brief and Register
Design
Create a stunning design
Submit
Mail your submission by 03rd Dec 2026
Jury
Our panel of International jury will evaluate
Awards
Winners will be awarded prize money and Certificate
FAQ
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Q: Is this competition an individual entry or a group of people can also participate? If so how many can participate in a group.
A: Participants can take part as an individual or in a team. A team can consist maximum of 3 members including team leader.
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Q: Do we have to submit our designs now if we register for the Earlybird deadline?
A: All Participants are free to submit their proposal anytime after their registration is complete and before the submission deadline on 3rd December 2026, 11:59 PM IST.
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Q: Can professionals participate in the Competition?
A: Yes, the competition is open for everyone. Students, Professionals, Design enthusiasts, Architects, Interior Designers, Engineers and anyone who believes in the subject of the competition.
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Q: In relation to the site selection, does this have to be a specific location?
A: The design solution can be a site-specific or versatile module that can be replicated in different locations across the globe. We encourage participants to detail the solution at one site location to provide necessary context to the design and the way it responds to surroundings.
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Q: Is there any area restriction for Unbox 2026 and how it would be calculated?
A: Participants are required to design a micro public space with a maximum built-up area of 3000 sq.ft.(278 sq.m.). For the purpose of the competition, the built-up area accounted as the sum of all floor plates and the thickness of the wall but it excludes un-walkable spaces, with no permanent function
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Q: Are there any exemptions on this Area Restriction?
A: The spaces exempted from these restrictions are courtyards, terraces, voids, open to sky spaces, lofts that are un-walkable, porches, gardens or spaces with no permanent function, etc.
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Q: Is there a restriction on Height for the competition?
A: For the purpose of this competition, there are no restrictions on height of the proposal.
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Q: What is the minimum area we need to leave for the landscape?
A: The minimum area for landscape totally depends upon the participant and their selected site context. However, it is not mandatory to show the landscape.
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Q: Are participants required to explore public-space interventions specifically involving land, water, or floating concepts, or any other mediums?
A: Participants are not restricted to land, water, or floating concepts and may explore other innovative mediums. The proposal should focus on creating an adaptable, multifunctional public space that responds to its context and meets the competition requirements.
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Q: What is the submission requirement for the competition?
A: Participants are required to compose their proposals on a single A1 sheet i.e. (841 x 594 mm)/ (33.1 x 23.4 inches). The sheets must be composed in Landscape orientation, with the Unique Team Code on the top right corner. File should be in.jpg file format with file size not exceeding more than 5mb.
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Q: Should the drawings be composed by hand or any specific software?
A: Participants are free to select the medium for presentation. They are free to create a handmade or software-generated sheet for the submission.
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Q: What should the participants do in case the suggested payment methods are not available in our country?
A: We request the participants to send us the queries on questions@volumezerocompetitions.com to get an alternate payment method. We would send you all the possible payment methods.
Need Additional Support?
Email us your questions at questions@volumezerocompetitions.com
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