Floating Research Station Competition

Archiol Competitions is asking architects, designers and students worldwide to design a self-sustaining floating research station. Registration closes on 2 October 2026 (late registration fee $50), submissions are due on 11 October 2026, and results will be announced on 17 December 2026. All deadlines are 11:59 pm UTC.

With rising sea levels, melting ice caps, marine pollution and vulnerable aquatic ecosystems turning water bodies into key areas for scientific work, the brief calls for a facility that lets scientists live, work and carry out research directly on water, free from land limitations and able to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Proposals are expected to address mobility, sustainability, resilience and environmental awareness, with spaces such as research laboratories, observation and monitoring decks and living quarters for researchers.

The competition is open to all, with individual or team entries of up to four members and no restrictions on age, nationality or academic background. Recognition goes to three winners, five honourable mentions, one special mention and thirty shortlisted entries; the final cash prize amounts depend on the number of entries received.