To: Relevant design institutes, colleges and universities,

 

1. Theme of the Competition

Design for the People — Better Housing, Better Living

2. Competition Categories

The competition is divided into two categories: Renovation and Upgrade of Existing Housing and New Housing . (See Attachments 1 and 2 for details.)

3. Design Requirements

Entries should adhere to the architectural principles of “applicability, economy, green, and aesthetics”, and align with the construction standards of “better housing”. Designs should showcase creativity in conceptual thinking and demonstrate innovation in the use of new technologies, products, and materials. Emphasis should be placed on aligning design solutions with the specific needs of residents, creating improved living spaces and more beautiful life scenarios. Through refined design, the efficiency of every square meter of residential space should be enhanced. Interior design should holistically consider the integration of furniture, appliances, and systems, using “better design” for "better housing" that truly satisfy the people.

4. Competition Groups

The competition is divided into two categories: the Professional Group and the Student Group. The Professional Group is open to practicing architects, interior designers, and other design professionals from both China and abroad. The Student Group is open to currently enrolled students at domestic and international universities and colleges.

Each entry must designate one lead designer; each lead designer may submit only one entry under each competition category.

5. Awards Setting

The competition will offer First Prize, Second Prize, Third Prize, and Honorable Mention awards. The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development will issue award certificates to the lead designers of the winning entries. Judging will be conducted separately for each competition category and group. The number of winners in each category and group will be determined based on the actual number and quality of submissions.

6. Competition Schedule

1）Registration

From the date of this notice until August 30, 2025, participants may register for the competition through the official platform: https://betterhousing.chinaasc.org.cn. The registration form will be automatically generated by the system.

Before the registration deadline, participants may submit questions via the official platform. Responses to common questions will be published collectively on the platform.

2）Submission of Entries

Participants must submit their entries via the official platform by September 30, 2025. Entries must include the following materials:

(1) Design Booklet: One PDF file, A3 landscape layout, no more than 20 pages, maximum size 50MB. The cover template must be downloaded from the official platform. The apartment floor plan must also be submitted separately as a DWG file (version CAD 2020 or earlier), maximum size 10MB.

(2) Design Board: One JPG file, A0 portrait layout, resolution no less than 300 dpi, maximum size 100MB. The board template must be downloaded from the official platform.

(3) Design Video: One MP4 file, no longer than 2 minutes, with narration, maximum size 200MB.

All files must be named using the registration number generated during sign-up. No personal names, institutional affiliations, logos, or any other identifying information may appear in the entry; otherwise, the entry will be disqualified.

3）Results Announcement

Expert evaluation will be organized before the end of 2025, and the winners of the First, Second, and Third Prizes, as well as Honorable Mentions, will be officially announced.

7. Organizers

The Architectural Society of China, China Exploration & Consulting Association

Contacts: Qin Shan, Xia Nan, Liu Li

Phone: 010-58934022, 88082242, 64517265

Platform Technical Support: Chen Song, 010-88328879

8. Other Information

1) Competition Fees

This competition is a non-profit event. No entry or registration fees will be charged, and no cash prizes will be awarded. Participants will not be charged for any publications related to the competition, and no manuscript fees will be paid.

2) Intellectual Property

The copyright of the submitted works remains with the participants. However, the organizers reserve the right to publish, distribute, and promote the submitted works.

Participants must ensure that all registration information is accurate and that their submissions are original and free from intellectual property disputes. Any entries found to violate these terms will be disqualified. Participants are solely responsible for any legal issues arising from intellectual property disputes related to their work.

Attachment 1

Renovation and Upgrade of Existing Housing Category

1)Design Requirements

Participants are required to select a real existing apartment unit within a multi-story or high-rise residential building as the subject of their design. Based on the current living conditions and improvement needs of the actual resident household, participants should carry out optimization design of the apartment's spatial layout, including the arrangement of furniture, appliances, and systems.

2)Entry Requirements

The design booklet should include, but is not limited to, the following contents. All drawings must meet at least the schematic design level of detail (order may vary):

(1) Design Statement: A description of the design concept and creative approach, along with an analysis of the original apartment layout, its shortcomings, and the residents’ improvement needs (within 1,000 words).

(2) Apartment Layout Design: This section should include the floor plan before renovation and the floor plan after renovation, clearly indicating the layout of furniture, appliances, and systems. The total floor area should be specified. Participants are also encouraged to include photographs of the apartment before renovation, if available.

(3) Interior Design: Interior design drawings after renovation, such as renderings, elevations, sections, or any visuals that effectively communicate the concept. A comprehensive solution that reflects innovations in “better housing” should also be included (e.g., detailed construction drawings, analytical diagrams, etc.).

Design boards and videos should correspond to the content of the design booklet, highlighting key points and showcasing the most innovative features.

Attachment 2

New Housing Category

1) Design Requirements

Participants may select any city as the project location and choose one floor area category from the following: under 70 m2, 70–140 m2, or 140–180 m2. The design should focus on a single apartment unit suitable for a multi-story or high-rise residential building, taking into account the target residential product positioning and user needs. The submission must comply with the national standard “Code for Residential Projects” (GB 55038-2025), as well as current national codes and the local standards of the selected city.

2) Entry Requirements

The design booklet should include, but is not limited to, the following contents. Drawings should meet at least the schematic design depth (order may vary):

(1) Design Statement: This section should explain the design concept and innovation, analyze the product positioning and residential needs, and indicate the standards and policy documents followed in the project. (Within 1,000 words)

(2) Apartment Layout Design: Provide a floor plan of the apartment unit, including the arrangement of furniture, appliances, and systems, along with the total building area.

(3) Interior Design: Include interior design drawings such as renderings, elevations, and sections that best illustrate the concept and creativity. Also include an integrated design solution that reflects innovations aligned with the idea of “better housing” (e.g., construction details, analysis diagrams, etc.).

(4) Building and Unit Design: Provide design drawings for one residential building (e.g., floor plans, elevations, sections that clearly express the concept), and a typical floor plan for one residential unit, which should thoughtfully integrate the designed apartment type with vertical circulation, shared spaces, utility shafts, and other apartment layouts.

Design boards and videos should reflect the same core content as the booklet, focusing on key elements and highlights.