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ORGANIZED BY

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SUPPORTED BY

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"BUILD A DREAM HK"

Hong Kong's First Children Architectural Design Competition

REGISTRATION DEADLINE : 31 JULY 2026

SUBMISSION PERIOD : 24-31 AUGUST 2026

"Build a Dream HK" Hong Kong Children & Youth Architectural Design Competition 2026

Competition Background


To celebrate the 70th Anniversary of The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA), Muses Education and HKIA are proud to co-present the first "Build a Dream HK" Architectural Design Competition. In our rapidly evolving city, creativity, critical thinking, and a passion for community are more important than ever. This competition provides a platform for Hong Kong's youth to "think like an architect," transforming their innovative ideas into tangible designs and shaping the future of our urban landscape.

Competition Theme:

 

"Our City, Our Home: Designing the Next Community Landmark for Hong Kong"

Competition Objectives

  • To celebrate HKIA's 70th Anniversary by nurturing future design talent.

  • To deepen public understanding of the architectural profession and its contribution to society.

  • To inspire children and youth to observe their communities and creatively address local needs.

  • To promote STEAM education by applying knowledge in a hands-on, project-based challenge.

Judging Criteria

All entries will be judged by a distinguished panel of professionals led by The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) to uphold the highest standards of the architectural profession. The Final Judging Panel will be chaired by the HKIA President or a designated Council Member.

Submissions will be evaluated based on the following core principles:

Creativity and Originality: 

The uniqueness and imaginative quality of the concept.

Response to the Theme: 

How well the design addresses the theme of "Our City, Our Home" and its role as a community landmark.

Design Statement: 

The clarity, coherence, and thoughtfulness of the written explanation of the project.

Spatial and Aesthetic Quality: 

The project's architectural merits, including use of space, form, materials, and overall presentation of the physical model.

To ensure fair and age-appropriate challenges, the competition is divided into Individual and Group Sections.

 

Individual Section

  • Kindergarten Group (Ages 4-6)

  • Primary School Group A (Ages 7-9)

  • Primary School Group B (Ages 10-12)

  • Secondary School Group (Ages 13-18)

 

Group Section (3-5 members per group)

  • Primary School Group A (Ages 7-9)

  • Primary School Group B (Ages 10-12)

  • Secondary School Group (Ages 13-18)

Submission

​To ensure fairness and a smooth judging process, all entries must adhere to the following submission requirements. Each entry must consist of TWO mandatory components:

1. Physical Architectural Model

Dimensions: 

The physical model, including its base, must not exceed 50cm (Length) x 50cm (Width) x 50cm (Height). The model must be submitted on a sturdy, flat base for stability and ease of handling.

Materials:

There are no restrictions on the primary building materials. Participants are encouraged to be creative and may use new, recycled, or sustainable materials. However, the use of the following is strictly prohibited for safety reasons:

  • Hazardous or toxic substances (e.g., corrosive chemicals, flammable liquids).

  • Perishable organic matter (e.g., food, unpreserved plants).

  • Dangerous objects that may pose a risk during handling (e.g., unprotected sharp elements).

Identification:

To ensure impartial judging, do NOT write your name, school, or any personal identifiers on the model or its base. A unique submission number will be assigned to you after successful registration. Please print this number clearly and affix it to the bottom-right corner of the model's base.

2. Concise Design Statement

Content: 

The statement should explain the project's core concept, its connection to the theme "Our City, Our Home," and the key features of the design.

 

Format: 

The statement can be written in either Traditional Chinese or English and must not exceed 300 words.

Submission: 

It must be printed on a single A4 sheet and securely attached to the back or underside of the model's base.

SUBMISSION METHOD

All entries (the complete physical model with the design statement attached) must be submitted in person to the designated collection point.

  • Submission Period: 24 to 31 August 2026, by 18:00

  • Submission Location: The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) Office

  • Address: 19/F, One Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

  • Contact (for submission period inquiries only): 2511-6323

  • Fee: Free 

 

Important Notes:

  • Late submissions will not be accepted.

  • All submitted works must be the entrant's original creation.

  • The Organizers are not responsible for any damage to the models during transportation or at the collection point.

  • Entries that fail to meet these requirements may be disqualified.

Prizes

To recognize outstanding performance, a comprehensive prize structure is offered for each age group in both Individual and Group Sections.

Individual Section

  • Champion: Cash HK$3,000 + Trophy + Certificate

  • 1st Runner-up: Cash HK$2,000 + Trophy + Certificate

  • 2nd Runner-up: Cash HK$1,000 + Trophy + Certificate

  • Merit Awards (5 per group): Cash HK$500 + Certificate

Group Section

  • Champion: Cash HK$5,000 + Trophy + Certificate

  • 1st Runner-up: Cash HK$3,000 + Trophy + Certificate

  • 2nd Runner-up: Cash HK$2,000 + Trophy + Certificate

  • Merit Awards (5 per group): Cash HK$800 + Certificate

Competition Schedule

Event 活動
Date 日期
Official Launch / Registration Start
27 March 2026
Competition Briefing Session
Mid-June 2026
Registration Deadline
31 July 2026
Submission Period
24 to 31 August 2026
Judging Period
1 to 30 September 2026
Announcement of Results
16 October 2026
Public Exhibition of Winning Works (TBC)
Early December 2026
Award Ceremony cum Gala Dinner (TBC)
Mid December 2026

Partners

Terms & Conditions

The followings are the Personal Information Collection Statement and Terms and Conditions of the "Build a Dream HK" Hong Kong Children & Youth Architectural Design Competition 2026 (“the Competition”). By submitting an application, all entrants agree to the following.

A. Personal Information Collection Statement

The provision of personal data is voluntary. Personal data provided will be used by the Organizer, Muses Education (Architecture) Limited (“Muses Education”), for purposes related to the Competition, including application processing, communication, and promotion. If you do not provide sufficient information, Muses Education may not be able to handle your application. Personal data collected may be disclosed to the Supporting Organisation, The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA), and any third parties providing administrative or other services for the Competition. Any request for access to and correction of personal data may be submitted to Muses Education at info@musesedu.com.hk.

B. Terms and Conditions of the Competition

  1. All entrants agree to be bound by the Terms and Conditions of the Competition. Muses Education reserves the right to disqualify any entrant who violates any of the rules.

  2. Muses Education reserves the right to disqualify any entry that contains misstated information or does not comply with the application guidelines.

  3. No copyrighted material (such as images, music, or text) may be incorporated into the entry without permission from the copyright owner. Any violation of copyright laws will result in immediate disqualification.

  4. Submitted entries shall not contain indecent content or content that may adversely affect the reputation of Muses Education, HKIA, or any other parties.

  5. All entries must be original works of the entrant, must not have been published elsewhere, and must not have been submitted to other competitions.

  6. Upon submission, no revisions to the entries will be accepted. Requests for the return of entries will not be entertained.

  7. All entrants agree to be photographed, video-recorded, and interviewed by the media for the promotion of the Competition and related educational activities. Entrants further agree that the Organizers (Muses Education and HKIA) may transfer and disclose such materials to the mass media or other third parties as deemed necessary for promotional purposes.

  8. Winners who fail to collect their prize within the designated period will be deemed to have forfeited their prize. Prizes will not be reissued.

  9. The Organizers reserve the right to modify, add to, or delete any terms of the Competition.

  10. The decision of the judging panel and the Organizers will be final and binding on all matters relating to the Competition.

C. Disclaimer

  1. Each entrant agrees to indemnify the Organizers and Supporting Organizations from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities arising out of or relating to their participation in the Competition.

  2. The Organizers hereby disclaim any and all liabilities that may arise in connection with the Competition entries and any materials produced in relation thereto.

  3. Furthermore, the Organizers and their employees, agents, and representatives shall not be held responsible for any competition entries that are lost, delayed, or damaged in transit.

  4. Competition entries will be automatically disqualified if they are incomplete, unreadable, damaged, falsified, or otherwise not in compliance with the rules of the Competition.

Contact Us

Muses Education (Architecture) Limited

  • Email: info@musesedu.com.hk

  • Phone: 2668-2255 / 5988-3909

  • Address: Unit D8, 11/F, Hong Kong Spinners Industrial Building Phase 5, 760-762 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon

FOR SUBMISSION

​​

  • Location: The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) Office

  • Address: 19/F, One Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

  • Contact (for submission period inquiries only): 2511-6323

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