The Bamboo Housing Challenge
The Bamboo Housing Challenge is now open for entries!
The Bamboo Housing Challenge, a global design competition, organized by Bamboo U in collaboration with Base Bahay Foundation, with support from the Hilti Foundation invites architects, designers, engineers, students, and creative thinkers worldwide to imagine a bamboo-based affordable home prototype
Short description
The Bamboo Housing Challenge is a global design competition, organized by Bamboo U in collaboration with Base Bahay Foundation, with support from the Hilti Foundation inviting architects, designers, engineers, students, and creative thinkers worldwide to imagine a bamboo-based affordable home prototype that can be built for under USD 10,000. Its curatorial intent is to merge innovation, human-centered design, and climate-resilient architecture, culminating in a real built prototype in Bali, Indonesia — not just a conceptual competition.
You are invited to design a dignified, functional, and resilient bamboo home (≤80 sqm) that is buildable for under USD 10,000, rooted in tropical contexts, structurally sound, environmentally responsive, and socially relevant.
Organised challenge you to optimize bamboo’s strength, flexibility, and beauty.
Beyond meeting these targets, your task is to design a dignified home, that is practical and responds to the local context.
It must perform structurally and environmentally while instilling pride and belonging. You must bridge innovation and tradition, aesthetics and function, budget and vision.
Note! Registration Deadline is 15 Mar 2026 but you can submit you project until 17 Apr 2026.
Evaluation Criteria:
1. Bamboo as Main Material — sustainability and structural feasibility
2. Affordability & Functional Programming
3. Durability & Climate Resilience
4. Scalability & Modularity
5. Cultural Relevance & Community Engagement
All selected designs, especially the winning entry, will be showcased in a printed & digital book curated by Bamboo U and Base Bahay, featuring visuals, descriptive texts, insights from the jury, and credits for contributors. This amplifies long-term visibility within global sustainable design communities.
Winner will be announced on 15 May 2026.
Who may enter?
This competition is open to professionals and students globally — architects, engineers, designers, planners, artists, sociologists — as individuals or teams (max 3 people).
Prize:
Winner will see their design built at full scale during Bamboo U’s 11-Day Bamboo Build & Design Course in Bali, including:
➜ Flight and accommodation for one representative
➜ Full course participation valued at USD 2,775
➜ Up to two additional team members join the course (travel not included)
Entry fees:
➜ Early Bird: USD 240 (until 8 Feb 2026)
➜ Main: USD 280 (to 15 Mar 2026)
➜ Student Discount Option Available with ID Verification
