Do I need a team, or can I enter on my own?

You may enter individually or in a team of up to five, in either category. Every participant, including a solo entrant, must be registered as part of the entry.

Is there a separate student category?

Yes. Professional and Student projects are evaluated separately, each with three prizes and seven recognized projects.

How do you verify student status?

At registration, provide a valid university email (.edu or .ac) and a current student ID or enrolment document. Alumni emails do not qualify as proof of current enrolment. Verification for the competition is separate from eligibility for the FORMAS Campus Programme.

How much does it cost to enter?

Registration fees are charged per member, for each project entered, in USD, and are non-refundable. Each registration covers one project. Early bird, 25 Sep to 20 Oct: $10 per student member and $20 per professional member. Regular, 21 Oct to 15 Nov: $15 per student member and $30 per professional member. Late, 16 Nov to 6 Dec: $20 per student member and $40 per professional member. A team pays one fee per member, so a three-member early-bird entry is US$30 for students or US$60 for professionals. The first 500 registered entries each receive one FORMAS.AI Complimentary Access allocation for November 2026, regardless of team size; the lead, the first name on the registration, is allocated the seat.

Can a team add members later?

No. The number of members is fixed at registration. The lead adds a seat for each member at checkout, with their name and email, and pays for all of them; the members support the lead in the team registration.

Can I enter more than one project?

Yes. Each registration covers one project, so register again for every further project you want to enter.

No. Registration fees are non-refundable, including when no project is submitted.

What happens after I register?

Your competition registration and submission access are managed through PAACADEMY. FORMAS access is a separate benefit, with its own activation instructions: the lead, the first name on the registration, receives an activation email from FORMAS.AI.

Which site do I work on?

One you choose: a 50 × 50 m site anywhere in the world, with enough context for a meaningful architectural response. There is no prescribed location or building type. The site may contain an existing building, structure, ruin, public space or infrastructure, or be chosen for its environmental, urban, social or cultural conditions; if you choose an existing building, engage with it meaningfully rather than only redesigning its facade. Your submission must clearly identify the 50 × 50 m area and show how the proposal responds to its conditions.

What exactly do I submit?

A FORMAS AI board, 3D and spatial representation, three to five final visualizations, a short written narrative, a hero image and short videos of about 12 seconds, each in 4:5 vertical, 9:16 vertical and 16:9 horizontal. Concept diagrams, sketches, 3D models, key iterations, plans, sections and elevations are optional and raise the chance of winning.

Which tools am I allowed to use?

FORMAS.AI, Cartesian by FORMAS and OpenAI. Your sketches, drawings, photographs, CAD, 3D models, renders, physical models and video can all enter the process. FORMAS is the central workspace where the development happens, is documented and is communicated.

Do we get access to FORMAS?

FORMAS.AI Complimentary Access is available to the first 500 registered team entries across the Student and Professional categories combined, including solo entries. Each eligible project team receives one allocation, regardless of team size. It does not provide a separate complimentary subscription for every team member; however, the competition discount is available.

Can we start earlier or purchase additional individual access in FORMAS?

Yes. The competition offer provides a 40% competition discount on FORMAS Access. It covers starting before November, provided the team is already registered, adding members and continuing after November, and can be redeemed until 31 December 2026.

Is additional access available for students?

Eligible students may apply through formas.ai/campus for individual access under the FORMAS Campus Programme. The Campus Member Pro option is currently US$19.90 per month, subject to institution verification and programme terms. This is separate from the complimentary competition allocation. Alumni email addresses do not qualify.

What is the FORMAS workshop?

A five-hour workshop on 15 November, and an equivalent recorded pathway. We will demonstrate FORMAS workflows and how you can leverage FORMAS, Cartesian by FORMAS and ChatGPT models to increase your chances of winning the competition.

How is the work judged?

Student and Professional entries are judged separately. The overall score is 100% jury assessment. Within the jury assessment, the criteria are weighted as follows. Architectural and spatial intelligence 30%, Design process and AI workflow 25%, Continuity and transformation 20%, Communication and narrative 15%, Context and design rigour 10%.

What's the total prize value?

Over USD 120,000 in combined prizes and participant value: the final prize pool, together with FORMAS.AI Complimentary Access for the first 500 entries during the competition, OpenAI sponsorship and credits, and PAACADEMY Pro memberships.

What time zone are the deadlines in?

All deadlines are in UTC. The FORMAS workshop takes place on 15 November 2026, with the session time to be confirmed. Registration closes on 6 December 2026 at 23:59 UTC, and the final submission deadline is 13 December 2026 at 23:59 UTC. Winners are announced on 23 December 2026.

When are winners announced?

On 23 December 2026. Selected projects also receive international editorial and/or social media exposure through Parametric Architecture and FORMAS.AI.

Enter CartesianForms: Architecture Reimagined competition early to win from a $120,000 prize pool.

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Enter CartesianForms: Architecture Reimagined competition early to win from a $120,000 prize pool.

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Old stone arcades carried into a new building of glass terraces above a bay at sunset

CartesianForms:ArchitectureReimagined

Edition 01 / Generational shift

What would you build,and what would you carry forward?

A global AI design competition by FORMAS.AI, in partnership with PAACADEMY and Parametric Architecture, sponsored by OpenAI. Choose a site anywhere in the world and reimagine what belongs there. Inherit what matters, reshape it for today, and design for what comes next. Compete for over US$120,000 in prizes and participant benefits.

$120,000+Total prize & benefit value

Where: Open worldwide
Categories: Professional and Student
Format: Solo or teams of up to 5
Registration closes: 6 December 2026
Winners: 23 December 2026

01/The brief

Architecture is never finished by one generation. It is inherited, altered and passed on.
Carlos BañónCo-Founder & Chief Design and AI Officer (CDAIO) of FORMAS.AIAssociate Professor at Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD)

Choose 50 × 50 metres of the world. Take an existing building, structure or site and imagine how it could be transformed for a new generation. The goal isn't a spectacular final image, but architectural thinking: experimentation, iteration and decision-making.

AI is part of the design process, not a replacement for it

One place.Three generations.

Inherit. Alter. Pass on.

2030
Inherit
Understand what already exists: what to preserve, what to question, what could found a new architecture.
2055
Alter
Transform it for the present. Explore alternatives, and stay the author of the choice between them.
2080
Pass on
Design something capable of changing again, in 10, 25 or 50 years.

Suggested project workflow

The process is the project.

There is no prescribed design path. There is a shared design and AI environment. Participants use FORMAS.AI, Cartesian by FORMAS and OpenAI to explore, develop and communicate their proposals. How each team thinks, experiments and moves through the process is their own.

01
Select
An existing building, structure or site
02
Research
Architecture, context, history and users
03
Define
What to inherit, and the central question
04
Explore
Ideas, alternatives and interventions
05
Test
Plans, sections, models and simulations
06
Develop
Design, geometry and editable 3D
07
Pass on
Room for the next generation of change
08
Communicate
The complete journey, told clearly

Bring anything

Start from the work you already have. Any of these can go into your process:

Sketches
Drawings
Photographs
CAD
Rhino and other 3D models
Renders
Physical models
Diagrams
Video

Work through FORMAS

FORMAS is the competition's shared design workspace.
Explore, develop and communicate your proposal there.
Your process is part of the submission, not only the final result.

Bring anything: Sketches / drawings / photographs / CAD / Rhino and other 3D models / renders / physical models / diagrams / video
Work through FORMAS: FORMAS is the competition's shared design workspace, connecting exploration, development and communication. The process, not only the final outcome, forms part of the submission.

Actual FORMAS design run (example)

Twenty turns.One coherent system.

São Paulo infill, source to material proof. Every branch stays on the board, so the judges read the reasoning and not only the render.

Perforated terracotta facade of the São Paulo infill, stair rising to a planted courtyard

Courtyard with a single tree over a dark reflecting pool — Iteration 14

The same courtyard with denser planting along the stair — Iteration 16

Close view of the terracotta block and its metal fixing — Material proof

The lattice facade lit from within at night — Final sequence

Representative process imagery made with FORMAS.

02/Entry

Open worldwide.Student or Professional.

Entries may be submitted individually or in teams of up to five, in both the Student and Professional categories. All participants, including individual entrants, must be registered as part of their entry.

Global

Worldwide

18+

Eligibility

1–5

Team size

Entry categories

Two categories, judged separately

Professional
Architects, designers, studios, researchers and other professionals working across architecture, design and the built environment.
Student
Students currently enrolled in architecture, design, urbanism, landscape architecture and related disciplines.

What you submit

The final submission shows both the architecture and the process behind it.

01FORMAS AI's Board
023D and spatial representationWith Cartesian 3D representation
03Final architectural visualizations3 to 5 images
04A concise written narrativeThe story behind the project
05A hero image for publication4:5 vertical, 9:16 vertical and 16:9 horizontal
06Short videosAbout 12 seconds each: 4:5 vertical, 9:16 vertical and 16:9 horizontal

You must submit

01FORMAS AI's Board
023D and spatial representationWith Cartesian 3D representation
03Final architectural visualizations3 to 5 images
04A concise written narrativeThe story behind the project
05A hero image for publication4:5 vertical, 9:16 vertical and 16:9 horizontal
06Short videosAbout 12 seconds each: 4:5 vertical, 9:16 vertical and 16:9 horizontal

Optional

Increases the chance of winning

Concept and diagrams
Sketches
3D models
Key iterations and alternative directions
Architectural plans
Relevant sections and elevations

Exact dimensions, file formats, number of boards, word limits and upload requirements will be confirmed in the final competition brief.

FORMAS is the shared ground.

FORMAS.AI, Cartesian by FORMAS and OpenAI form the shared design and AI environment for the competition. Bring your existing work and tools with you, then use this environment to explore, develop and communicate your proposal.

01
Bring anything
Existing material and design work enters the environment.
02
Work through FORMAS
Explore, generate, model, test and develop.
03
Present the process
Show the evolution of the proposal, not only its final state.

Registration fees

Members

Early bird
Best price
$10
$10 per member, 1 seat
25 Sep to 20 Oct
Regular
$15
$15 per member, 1 seat
21 Oct to 15 Nov
Late
$20
$20 per member, 1 seat
16 Nov to 6 Dec

Prices are in USD, per member, and non-refundable. Each registration covers one project, entered solo or by a team of up to five, and its lead names every member when registering. FORMAS.AI Complimentary Access is available to the first 500 entry registrations.

03/Awards

Recognition for the work,access for what comes next.

Over $120,000 in prizes and participant benefits, combining OpenAI sponsorship, FORMAS.AI access and prizes, cash awards, and PAACADEMY Pro memberships. Selected projects will also receive international editorial exposure through Parametric Architecture.

$120K+

Total prize & benefit value

$75,000

OpenAI sponsorship

$34,500+

FORMAS.AI access

$5,000

Cash prize pool

Complimentary access

FORMAS.AI Complimentary Access for November*

First 500 entries
One FORMAS.AI Complimentary Access allocation per project for November 2026, whatever the team size. The lead named on the registration receives it.
40% off FORMAS Access
Start earlier, add members or continue after November at a 40% competition discount, redeemable until 31 December 2026.
Students
Individual access through the FORMAS Campus Programme, currently USD 19.90 a month, subject to institution verification. Alumni emails do not qualify.
Apply at formas.ai/campus

*Available to the first 500 entry registrations across the Student and Professional categories combined, solo entries included. One allocation per project, not per member.

Professional

3 prizes / 7 recognized

1st place
$22,515
FORMAS cash prize
$1,500
OpenAI credits
$18,000
FORMAS PRO
Up to 5 x 3 months
ChatGPT
3 x 6 months
PAACADEMY Pro
$60 per member
2nd place
$18,015
FORMAS cash prize
$1,000
OpenAI credits
$14,000
FORMAS PRO
Up to 5 x 3 months
ChatGPT
3 x 6 months
PAACADEMY Pro
$60 per member
3rd place
$12,730
FORMAS cash prize
$750
OpenAI credits
$10,000
ChatGPT
3 x 6 months
PAACADEMY Pro
$60 per member
Recognized, 4th to 10th
$8,400
ChatGPT
2 x 6 months each

Student

3 prizes / 7 recognized

1st place
$4,015
FORMAS cash prize
$1,000
FORMAS PRO
Up to 5 x 3 months
ChatGPT
3 x 6 months
PAACADEMY Pro
$60 per member
2nd place
$3,515
FORMAS cash prize
$500
FORMAS PRO
Up to 5 x 3 months
ChatGPT
3 x 6 months
PAACADEMY Pro
$60 per member
3rd place
$2,230
FORMAS cash prize
$250
ChatGPT
3 x 6 months
PAACADEMY Pro
$60 per member
Recognized, 4th to 10th
$8,400
ChatGPT
2 x 6 months each

Also awarded

$5,400

Nine awards across two groups, each with one six-month ChatGPT seat: six Honorable Mentions and three Most Popular Choice Awards.

Honorable Mentions × 6

Six additional projects, three from each category, will receive an Honorable Mention.

From launch to winnersin twelve weeks.

From registration to the workshop, submission and the winners' announcement. All deadlines are in UTC.

25 September 2026
Competition launch
Launch
25 Sep to 20 Oct
Early-bird registration
Registration
21 Oct to 15 Nov
Regular registration
Registration
15 November
5-hour FORMAS workshop
Workshop
16 Nov to 6 Dec
Late registration
Registration
6 December, 23:59 UTC
Registration closes
Registration
13 December, 23:59 UTC
Final submission deadline
Submission
13 to 15 December
PA and FORMAS eligibility and initial review
Judging
16 to 19 December
Jury review
Judging
20 to 21 December
Jury comments and final scoring
Judging
22 December
Final verification
Judging
23 December 2026
Winners announced
Results

05/FORMAS workshop

Learn it. Use it.Show it.

A five-hour FORMAS workshop on 15 November, and an equivalent recorded pathway.

Glass library volumes set into a cliff face, a FORMAS.AI render

Free live workshop

15NovSunday15:00–20:00 UTC

Official workshop of the competition

Architecture Reimagined: FORMAS.AI + Cartesian 3D

Five live hours with Carlos Bañón to take your CartesianForms proposal from sketches and visual exploration to precise, editable 3D, with FORMAS.AI, Cartesian and OpenAI.

FORMAS.AI
Cartesian by FORMAS
ChatGPT

Format: Live online
Duration: 5 hours
Price: Free
Level: Beginner

06/Jury and criteria

Design quality leads.Process makes it credible.

Overall score

100%Jury assessment

Within the jury assessment

30%Architectural and spatial intelligence
25%Design process and AI workflow
20%Continuity and transformation
15%Communication and narrative
10%Context and design rigour

100%Jury assessmentOverall score

Within the jury assessment

Architectural and spatial intelligence30%
Design process and AI workflow25%
Continuity and transformation20%
Communication and narrative15%
Context and design rigour10%

ArchitecturalJury

Mariana Cabugueira
MC Studios / formerly Zaha Hadid Architects
Michel Rojkind
Rojkind Arquitectos / SCI-Arc
Arturo Tedeschi
Computational Designer / Author of AAD
Carlos Bañón
FORMAS.AI / SUTD
Hamid Hassanzadeh
Parametric Architecture / PAACADEMY
To be announced
Jury member
To be announced
Jury member
To be announced
Jury member

07/Partners

Proudly supported by.

FORMAS.AI
OrganizerOrganizer / Platform
OpenAI
SponsorSponsor
PAACADEMY
OrganizerOrganizer / Education
Parametric Architecture
Media PartnerMedia Partner

08/Questions

Before youregister.

Eligibility & who can enter

Architects, designers, studios, researchers and other professionals, and students currently enrolled in architecture, design, urbanism, landscape architecture and related disciplines. Entrants are 18 or over, anywhere in the world. Both categories accept entries of one to five people.

Registration & payment

Your project: what to submit & tools

FORMAS access & workshops

Judging & prizes

Dates & deadlines

Stepped terracotta volumes opening to the sea

Enable what changes.Back what endures.

Join a global competition that turns access to technology into visible design intelligence, guided learning and publishable architectural work.