Qalat Awards 2025: International Architecture Competition “Space Between Moments”
What is Qalat Awards?
Qalat Awards is an international architecture competition that transforms winning proposals into built reality. Unlike traditional
competitions that end with recognition, Qalat Awards creates lasting contributions to urban landscapes and public life by
constructing the winning design.
The Challenge
Design a gathering space for the everyday within Sami Abdul Rahman Park, Erbil, Iraq. Create an architectural
intervention that supports both quiet presence and public expression—a structure that can accommodate a poetry
reading, an afternoon of informal use, or a moment of solitary reflection.
The Vision: “Space Between Moments”
Rather than prescribing a fixed program, this competition seeks spatial gestures that balance intimacy and
openness, encourage interaction, and resonate with the park’s natural rhythm. The goal is to create architecture that
frames encounters without staging them—supporting expression without spectacle.
Site & Requirements
● Location: Sami Abdul Rahman Park, Erbil, Iraq (36.189175, 43.978401)
● Built Area: 50-150 square meters within circular site zone
● Typology: Reimagined amphitheater using light, material, and atmosphere
● Context: Respond to local climate, daylight patterns, and landscape character
Competition Details
Eligibility: Open to architects, designers, artists, students, and studios worldwide
Format: Single-phase international competition with anonymous evaluation
Submission: Up to 3 A1 boards (landscape orientation) as single PDF
Prize: Winning proposal will be built in collaboration with design team
Submission Requirements
Architectural Drawings: Site plan, floor plans, elevations, sections, key detail
Concept Statement: Maximum 300 words explaining design intent and thematic response
Visual Materials: Renders, diagrams, sketches communicating atmosphere and use
Anonymous Submission: No identifying information on boards
Why Participate?
● Real Impact: Your design will be constructed and serve the community
● Global Platform: International recognition with local cultural significance
● Collaborative Realization: Work with organizers during development phase
● Open Access: Welcomes all experience levels and multidisciplinary teams
Organized By
Kurdistan Center for Arts & Culture x Aadex Studios
This partnership ensures expert execution and meaningful integration into Erbil’s cultural landscape.
Qalat Awards 2025 is more than a competition—it’s an invitation to contribute to the built environment and
see visionary design become reality.
Click here to fill out the registration form