by Justine Testado

Architectural design competitions have long been a crucial element in the field – from the student level to starchitect status – that can provide an international platform for drawing attention to pressing issues and new ideas in the world around us. Nonetheless, the typical structure of the competition is also in great need of its very own discussion. The Architectural Record and the Van Alen Institute conducted a global Competition Survey that asked architects and designers worldwide about what drives them to participate in competitions, what they like and dislike about the process, and suggestions for how to improve and rethink its format for the future.