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Introduction

Home is a space that is intimate to all of us. A home goes beyond its everyday function of being a physical shelter for people and their activities; a home connects with its users at a personal and emotional level.
 
Our humble abodes are being redefined with every passing day. The world is changing constantly, and along with it, our homes are seeing us spend more time within them. The built form of a home is evolving rapidly; its design adapting to various other needs that were not limited to this space before.
 
Homes today are versatile entities – doubling up as offices, play areas, work-out zones, spaces for interaction and recreation, as also being an abode for our furry friends and providing for their needs.
 
“Less House, More Home!”

Challenge

architectural competitions 2024

Life no longer fits into fixed rooms. We wake up to glowing screens. We work from kitchen tables. We build relationships across time zones. We relocate without warning. Climate events interrupt routines. Ownership is shifting toward access. Privacy and community now overlap in unexpected ways.

Our lives are fluid however our homes are not. Most housing is designed for stability: one job, one city, one predictable routine. Yet today, life transforms hour by hour, season by season. The way we live has evolved. The spaces we inhabit have not.

This competition asks a decisive question:
What if 250 square feet was all the city could give you?

Micro Living invites you to design more than a compact house. It asks you to reimagine the logic of living itself to transform limitation into intelligence, and density into opportunity. This is not about shrinking space. It is about expanding possibility.

Awards


1st Prize

$ 5000

1st prize

Certificate of Achievement
Publication

2nd Prize

$ 2500

2nd prize

Certificate of Achievement
Publication

3rd Prize

$ 1500

3rd prize

Certificate of Achievement
Publication

Gold
Mentions

$ 1000

3rd prize

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


India

Ahmad Thaneem

3dor Concepts, India

Iran

Alireza Taghaboni

Next Office, Iran

Indonesia

Ismail Solehudin

Ismail Solehudin Architecture, Indonesia

Ecuador

Xavier Duque

El Sindicato Arquitectura, Ecuador

Schedule


Competition
Launch

05 March 2026

Registrations
Deadline

12 June 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 - 12th June, 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

5th March, 2026 - 10th 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

11th 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


international architecture

Register

Download the Brief and Register

independence

Design

Create a stunning design

Submit

Mail your submission by 03rd Dec 2026

architecture design competitions

Jury

Our panel of International jury will evaluate

Awards

Awards

Winners will be awarded prize money and Certificate

FAQ

  • Q: The competition mentions area not to exceed 250 sq ft. So is this the built up area (with structure) or carpet area ( without structure).

A: There is an area restriction of 250 sq.ft. with regards to the built-up area and is sum of all floor plates for a single living unit unit. For the purpose of the competition, the built-up area accounted as the sum of all floor plates and the thickness of the wall.

  • Q: Are there any exemptions on this Area Restriction?

A: The area would not include open-to-sky spaces, play areas, courtyards, landscapes, porches, amphitheaters, semi-covered spaces, balconies, terraces, rooftop, voids, temporary usable or uncovered spaces, etc.

  • Q: Are the any restrictions on the common spaces?

A: There are no area restictions on common spaces, circulation spaces connecting the units or breakout spaces. Participants can be imaginative and creative on how the entire Microliving proposal comes together increasing the quality of urban living.

  • 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.

  • Q: Do we have to submit our designs now if we register for the Headstart deadline?

A: All Participants are free to submit their proposal anytime after their registration is complete and before the submission deadline on 03 December 2026 11:59 PM IST.

  • Q: Is there eligibility criteria for the competition?

A: The Competition is an open ideas design competition and is open to all. Architects, students, engineers, product designers, thinkers, companies, organizations, and everyone interested in the mission of the competition to submit their ideas. No professional qualifications are necessary.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Need Additional Support?

Email us your questions at questions@volumezerocompetitions.com