As urban landscapes continue to evolve, both vertical and horizontal dimensions are constantly reshaped to meet the growing demands of city life. Beneath the sprawling infrastructure, however, lies a network of underutilized spaces, often overshadowed by the towering structures they support—bridges that weave our cities together. These underbridge areas, varying from small recesses to vast stretches, remain largely dormant, echoing the activity above, yet waiting for innovative thinkers to harness their hidden potential.
In response to the urgent need for urban housing, Buildner proudly announces its 20th competition in the Affordable Housing Series, marking a significant step in the quest for groundbreaking living solutions. This edition also marks the second installment of Underbridge, a unique challenge inviting architects and visionaries to reimagine and rejuvenate the spaces beneath bridges worldwide, transforming them into vibrant, pulsating communities that echo the city’s pulse.
The vast spaces beneath city bridges around the globe hold untapped potential and are ripe for transformation. Underbridge invites creative minds to envision these areas as lively communities. Buildner is in search of designs that cater to diverse residents, striking a balance between scalability, affordability, and environmental sustainability. This is a call to revolutionize these overlooked spaces with innovative, practical solutions.
Participants are encouraged to select any underbridge site globally for their forward-thinking designs. Key considerations include site accessibility, existing amenities, and how the proposed solutions blend with the existing community. Designs should demonstrate adaptability, ensuring they meet various needs while remaining cost-effective and sustainable.
With this challenge, your creativity sets the limits. Buildner encourages participants to think boldly and differently, presenting housing solutions that defy convention. These underbridge spaces are poised for your transformative ideas. Let your imagination soar, and together, let’s sculpt a vision where these areas become central to urban life.
The competition welcomes everyone; no professional qualification is required. Design proposals can be crafted individually or by teams (up to 4 members). All correspondence with organizers and submissions must be in English.
Awards:-
- Prize fund 8,000 €
- Buildner Student Award 1,000 €
- 6 Honorable mentions & certificates
Deadline:- 17-09-2026
Registration fees:
- EARLY BIRD | 18 Mar – 13 May | 75-85 €
- ADVANCED | 14 May – 16 Jul | 85-105 €
- LAST MINUTE | 17 Jul – 17 Sep | 105-135 €





