AIxGaudi International Architecture Competition

Archademy.ai and the Antoni Gaudí Foundation are running AIxGaudi, a competition that pairs a six module course in generative AI tools with a design brief for the Sagrada Família district in Barcelona. Registration and submission close on 16 December 2026, team fees run from 175 to 345 dollars, and the prize fund is 10,000 dollars.

The Archademy.ai platform has launched an initiative in partnership with the Antoni Gaudí Foundation, which combines hands-on training in advanced artificial intelligence tools like ComfyUI and Flux.2 with the creation of an architectural project assessed by an international jury.

Antoni Gaudí’s work represents a significant evolution in the relationship between geometry, nature, and structure. This initiative aligns with the Year Gaudí commemorating the centenary of his death and Barcelona’s recognition as the World Capital of Architecture in 2026. The AIxGaudi competition aims to channel Gaudí’s spirit of formal and technical exploration into the realm of machine learning, offering a methodology that integrates technical training with a practical architectural project.

The Urban and Architectural Challenge: “The Gaudí Nexus”

Participants are invited to address a major urban challenge in Barcelona: balancing mass tourism with the needs of local residents. Focused on the Sagrada Família area, the competition seeks designs for “The Gaudí Nexus,” which will include a Neighborhood Market and Digital Culture Center, along with a reconfiguration of the adjacent plaza.

The objective is to restore public space for local residents while still welcoming international visitors. The project aims to bridge the divide between locals and tourists by creating a space for neighborhood commerce, community gathering, and educational areas that help tourists appreciate Gaudí’s work before their visit, thus avoiding the transformation of the area into a mere theme park.

From Gaudí’s Geometry to Generative AI

This challenge extends beyond mere aesthetic imitation of Gaudí’s style; it involves applying his core principles, ruled geometry, catenary structures, organic light, and biomimicry, to a holistic project where form, function, and structure are intricately connected.

To facilitate this, registration includes access to a specialized, ongoing training program focused on mastering open-source parametric tools like ComfyUI and Flux.2. These workflows allow participants to overcome the constraints of traditional image generators, providing precise control over curves, volumes, circulation, and construction details. Thus, the initiative effectively connects theoretical learning with professional practice, as the submitted proposals serve as a Proof of Work.

International Jury and Certification

Submissions will be reviewed by an international jury composed of architecture experts, academics, and design technologists.

All teams that submit proposals will receive an Individual Digital Certificate recognizing their technical training in ComfyUI and its practical application in addressing the architectural challenge.