UIA-HYP CUP 2026 International Student Competition in Architectural Design
The UIA-HYP CUP 2026 International Student Competition in Architectural Design is now open for registration.
Now entering its 15th consecutive edition, the UIA-HYP CUP is the only UIA-endorsed international student architecture competition held annually in mainland China. Organized by the School of Architecture, Tianjin University; the School of Architecture, Inner Mongolia University of Technology; and Urban Environment Design (UED) Magazine, the competition provides a global platform for architecture students to engage with contemporary architectural, urban, and environmental challenges.
The competition operates under the overarching theme of Architecture in Transformation, while the specific topic is proposed each year by the Jury Chairman.
For 2026, the Jury Chairman is Professor Philip Cox (Founding Partner of Cox Architecture and Officer of the Order of Australia), who has set the topic:
Villagers: Urban, Suburban, Rural
In the competition brief, Philip Cox reflects on the continuing rural drift to cities, the future of community and social units, and the emergence of self-sufficient and sustainable communities. Participants are invited to select one of three ways of living—urban, suburban, or rural—and demonstrate how communities can be created that have relevance.
The brief explores questions of identity, belonging, social interaction, sustainability, and the evolving relationship between people, place, and architecture in a rapidly changing world shaped by environmental concerns, technological innovation, remote working, and artificial intelligence.
Participation is free of charge and open to architecture students worldwide.
Awards:
• 1st Prize (1 team): Certificate and RMB 80,000 (around USD 11,000, before tax)
• 2nd Prize (5 teams): Certificate and RMB 15,000 (around USD 2,050, before tax)
• 3rd Prize (12 teams): Certificate and RMB 8,000 (around USD 1,100, before tax)
• Honorable Mentions (several teams): Certificate
Advisors of prize-winning projects will also be awarded certificates.
Key Dates:
• Registration Deadline: 20 September 2026
• Q&A Deadline: 30 September 2026
• Submission Deadline: 10 October 2026
The competition is endorsed by the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA).
For the full competition brief, registration information, and submission requirements, please visit the official competition website.
Official Website: http://hypcup.uedmagazine.net/
Short Description
The UIA-HYP CUP 2026 International Student Competition in Architectural Design is an international student competition endorsed by the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA) and chaired this year by Professor Philip Cox. Under the overarching theme Architecture in Transformation, the 2026 topic is Villagers: Urban, Suburban, Rural, asking participants to select one of three ways of living—urban, suburban, or rural—and demonstrate how communities can be created that have relevance.
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Organizer
Organized by the School of Architecture, Tianjin University and Urban Environment Design (UED) Magazine. Endorsed by the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA).
Link to Competition
Link to Registration form
Prizes
• 1st Prize (1 team): Certificate and RMB 80,000 (around USD 11,000, before tax)
• 2nd Prize (5 teams): Certificate and RMB 15,000 (around USD 2,050, before tax)
• 3rd Prize (12 teams): Certificate and RMB 8,000 (around USD 1,100, before tax)
• Honorable Mentions (several teams): Certificate
Advisors of prize-winning projects will also be awarded certificates.
Type of Competition
Restricted/Has stricter requirements (Is not open to anyone. Has limitations regarding its participants), More than one stage (Winners selected after at least two selection phases)
Who can Participate
This is a fair competition open to all architecture and relevant major students around the globe. Full-time on-campus architecture students from accredited institutions (including master and PhD candidates and graduate students of 2026) can participate alone or as a team with team members of no more than four people.
Dates and Time Frame
Registration Closes September 20, 2026
Deadline to Submit Project October 10, 2026
Winners announcement Date November 30, 2026
Languages
English, Other
Location of Competition
China
Additional Information
Banner, Poster, Brochure or Triptic of Competition