Join the 8th edition of the Design Educates Awards 2026

for Meaningful Architecture and Design!


The Design Educates Awards (DEAwards) recognize exceptional
Architecture
Design for Impact
that are remarkable not only for their aesthetics, but also for their impact on society.


Join the 8th edition of the Design Educates Awards 2026

for Meaningful Architecture and Design!


The Design Educates Awards (DEAwards) recognize exceptional
Architecture
Design for Impact
that are remarkable not only for their aesthetics, but also for their impact on society.

What We Are Looking For

What We Are Looking For

We seek Architecture (1) that have the potential to make a meaningful

contribution to the world – at every scale, from the smallest shelter or

exhibition installation to residential, public, and urban-scale solutions.

In addition to realized projects, conceptual proposals are also accepted and

will be evaluated separately.

The special category, Design for Impact (2), includes non-architectural designs,

products, and concepts that create meaningful benefits for people, society, and

the environment.

We welcome participation from small to large firms, alongside emerging

designers and established practices from around the world. Experience shows

that among the winners, both groups are consistently represented.

The submitted materials should preferably highlight the project's added value,

articulating its significance beyond purely aesthetic qualities. Works must not

be older than five years.

We seek Architecture (1) that have the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the world – at every scale, from the smallest shelter or exhibition installation to residential, public, and urban-scale solutions.

In addition to realized projects, conceptual proposals are also accepted and will be evaluated separately.

The special category, Design for Impact (2), includes non architectural designs, products, and concepts that create meaningful benefits for people, society, and the environment.

We welcome participation from small to large firms, alongside emerging designers and established practices from around the world. Experience shows that among the winners, both groups are consistently represented.

The submitted materials should preferably highlight the project's added value, articulating its significance beyond purely aesthetic qualities. Works must not be older than five years.

What We Are Looking For

We seek Architecture (1) that have the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the world – at every scale, from the smallest shelter or exhibition installation to residential, public, and urban-scale solutions. In addition to realized projects, conceptual proposals are also accepted and

will be evaluated separately.

The special category, Design for Impact (2), includes non-architectural designs, products, and concepts that create meaningful benefits for people, society, and the environment.

We welcome participation from small to large firms, alongside emerging designers and established practices from around the world. Experience shows that among the winners, both groups are consistently represented.

The submitted materials should preferably highlight the project's added value, articulating its significance beyond purely aesthetic qualities. Works must not be older than five years.


Outstanding International Jury

Outstanding International Jury

Our esteemed jury consists of world-renowned architects, designers, innovators and educators who are successfully expanding the boundaries of what is possible in their fields.

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Prof. Toyo Ito

Architect, Founder of Toyo Ito & Associates, Laureate of the Pritzker Architecture Prize

Edition 2026

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Prof. Barbara Holzer

Architect, Lecturer, Co-Founder and Director of Holzer Kobler Architekturen

Edition 2026

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Prof. Rainer Mahlamäki

Partner & Co-Founder, Lahdelma & Mahlamäki architects

Partner & Co-Founder, Lahdelma & Mahlamäki architects


Edition 2026

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Doriana Mandrelli Fuksas

Co-Founder, Studio Fuksas, Architect and Designer leading "Fuksas Design“



Edition 2026

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Prof. Carlo Ratti

Architect, Founding Partner at Carlo Ratti Associati, Director at MIT Senseable City Lab


Edition 2026

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Prof. Thomas Schroepfer

SUTD, Director Future Cities Laboratory Global Singapore-ETH Centre


Edition 2026

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Francine Houben

Creative Director, Founding Partner at Mecanoo


Edition 2026

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David Basulto

Founder of Archdaily




Edition 2026

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Elke Delugan-Meissl

Founder and Partner at Delugan Meissl Associated Architects

Founder and Partner at Delugan Meissl Associated Architects


Edition 2025


Edition 2026

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Dang Qun

Co-Founder and Principal Partner of MAD

Principal Partner of MAD




Edition 2026



Edition 2026

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Oskar Zięta

Architect, Artist and Process Designer, Founder and CEO of Zieta Studio


Edition 2026

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Martin Reuter

Managing Director of ingenhoven associates


Edition 2026

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Dr Peter Kuczia

Architect, Founder of Kuczia Architects, Initiator and Curator of the Design Educates Awards


Edition 2026

Architecture & Design with Added Value

Architecture & Design with Added Value

“Many architecture and design awards recognize and promote the “beauty” of successful design. But in the Design Educates Awards, we wanted to go one step further. We do not just want to see aesthetically and technically pleasing designs—we want something that offers true added value. We want an additional benefit with long-term implications that considers the increasing complexity of our lives, both now and in the future.“

Dr. Peter Kuczia
Curator & Initiator of the DEAwards

Competition Yearbook

Competition Yearbook

More about the idea of the awards in our post-competition books.

Dates

Dates

Submissions open: April 01, 2026

Project submission deadline: June 15,2026

Jury deliberation: July 2026

Announcement of winners: August 2026

Awards Ceremony in Warsaw, Poland 2026: October 16, 2026

Fees

Fees

Students: 50 EUR
Individual professional / Company > 10 employees: 175 EUR
Company 11 – 100 employees: 350 EUR
Company 100+ employees: 650 EUR

*If a project is submitted to both categories, the fee for the second category is reduced by 50%

There are no further fees!

The fees support the organization of the competition and the statutory activities of the non-profit Laka Foundation (host of the DEAwards). Pariticiaption in the awards ceremony is free. All winners receive printed and framed certificates and books for free at the ceremony.

Winners Benefits

Winners Benefits

Winners Benefits

In each category:

(1) Architecture

(2) Design for Impact

following awards and recognition will be given:


Winner of the Year

Gold Prize

Silver Prize

Bronze Prize

Special Recognition

Honorable Mention


In addition to the general evaluation, the student project with the highest score

will be awarded the label: „Emerging Designer”.


Additionally:

1) Winners packages with certificates and winning labels
2) Inclusion in the yearbook (ISBN registered)
3) Participation in the exhibition with confirmation by certificates
4) Complimentary attendance at the Award Ceremony in Warsaw, Poland, with photo documentation
5) Press kits

6) Permanent listing in the Winners Gallery on www.designeducates.com

7) Promotion through media sponsors and partners

In each category:

(1) Architecture

(2) Design for Impact

following awards and recognition will be given:


Winner of the Year

Gold Prize

Silver Prize

Bronze Prize

Special Recognition

Honorable Mention


In addition to the general evaluation, the student project with the highest score

will be awarded the label: „Emerging Designer”.


Additionally:

1) Winners packages with certificates and winning labels
2) Inclusion in the yearbook (ISBN registered)
3) Participation in the exhibition with confirmation by certificates
4) Complimentary attendance at the Award Ceremony in Warsaw, Poland, with photo documentation
5) Press kits

6) Permanent listing in the Winners Gallery on www.designeducates.com

7) Promotion through media sponsors and partners


2019

Pismo Beach, USA

2022

2019

Asturias, Spain

2020

2019

Asturias, Spain

2021

2019

2019

Pismo Beach, USA

2022

2019

Asturias, Spain

2020

2019

Asturias, Spain

2021

What to Submit

What to Submit

The submission consists of the following files:

1. Images of your design saved as JPG files in RGB mode with 200 dpi (up to 5 files),

including

2. A single featured image saved as JPG files in RGB mode with 200 dpi, in horizontal format, 2000 x 1000 px (this image will be used as a header image while presenting your design to the judges and media),

3. Description of your design (max. 1500 characters) and your team (max. 250 characters).

All materials should be uploaded via the User Panel.

Registration takes just 5 minutes! All materials should be uploaded via the User Panel.

Discover the outstanding talents and remarkable projects of the DEAwards

  • Sluishuis Barcode Architects - Silver Prize in Architectural Design 2024

  • Satoshi Okada architects - Gallery U/a - Winner Of The Year in Architectural Design 2024

  • PETER HAIMERL . ARCHITEKTUR - Konzertsaal Haus Marteau - Gold Prize in Architectural Design 2024

  • StudioBenaim - Busajo Campus - Gold Prize in Architectural Design 2024

  • Diller Scofidio + Renfro - The Shed - Winner of the Year in Responsive Design 2020

  • BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group - Copenhill: Amager Bakke - Winner Of The Year in Architectura Design 2020

  • Santiago Calatrava LLC - UAE Pavilion at EXPO 2020 - Honorable mention in Responsive Design 2022

  • Design Studio Roosegaarde - Smog Free Project - Winner of The Year in Universal Design 2019

  • De Zwarte Hond - SuperHub Meerstad - Special Recognition in Architectural Design 2023

  • Sauerbruch Hutton - Experimenta Heilbronn - Special Recognition in Architectural Design

Asked for a personal comment

Our objective is to promote innovative projects that have educational potential. We asked for a few personal words from renowned personalities in the design world who are associated with our competition about what it means to them:

Guidelines

Organizer

Eligibility

Fees and participation

Awards

Evaluation

License

Personal information

Guidelines

Strategic Partners

Media Partners


Strategic Partners

Media Partners