Ruinas de Quilmes - €9,000 - Registration Deadline 16 October 2026

The Sacred City of Quilmes, tucked away in the Calchaquí Valleys of Argentina, is more than a mere archaeological site; it is a profound testament to the resilience of the Diaguita-Calchaquí people. Now, a new international competition—Ruinas de Quilmes: The Contemporary Open-Air Museum—is calling upon the global design community to rethink how we engage with this ancestral landscape.

• PRIZE FUND: 9,000 €

  • 1ST PLACE: 4,000 €

  • 2ND PLACE: 2,000 €

  • 3RD PLACE: 1,000 €

  • 5 Golden Mention: Coupon for a Free Membership*

  • 10 Honourable Mentions: Coupon for a Free Competition*

    * The total of the mentioned coupons is 2,000 €

• DATE:

  • Closing date for project submission: 16 October 2026 - 14:00 (London Time)

  • Announcement of the winners: 16 November 2026 - 11:00 (London Time)

• PARTICIPANT: Everyone (No professional qualifications required)

• COST*:

  • Early Registration (28 Apr - 17 Jul): 69 €

  • Standard Registration (17 Jul - 18 Sept): 99 €

  • Late Registration (18 Sept - 16 Nov): 139 €

    *Subscribe from €19/month for unlimited access to multiple competitions.

This isn’t just a call for a building; it is a challenge to bridge the gap between a pre-Columbian past and a modern visitor’s journey.

BRIEF - Ruinas de Quilmes - ENG.pdf

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The Core Challenge: A Gateway to History

The centrepiece of the brief is the creation of a new Visitor Centre. Conceived as the primary gateway, this structure must serve as a threshold between the modern world and the sacred grounds.

However, the competition's scope extends far beyond a singular footprint. Participants are tasked with developing an integrated strategy that weaves together:

• Architecture: The physical structures that house information and provide shelter.

• Landscape: The rugged, high-altitude terrain that defines the site’s spirit.

• Heritage: The invisible layers of history and culture that demand respect and preservation.

Beyond the Building: Small Interventions, Big Impact

A unique aspect of this competition is its focus on micro-architectural and landscape interventions. Instead of focusing solely on a "hero" building, designers must consider the entire visitor experience through:

• Accessibility: Creating pathways that respect the terrain while welcoming diverse visitors.

• Narrative Devices: Informational markers and viewpoints that help "read" the ruins without being intrusive.

• Resting Areas: Spaces that allow for quiet contemplation of the Calchaquí landscape.

The Integration Strategy

Success in this competition relies on a sensitive dialogue between the new and the existing. Designers must navigate the tension between the permanence of the ancient stone structures and the transience of modern materials.

• Coherence: Ensuring every pathway and sign feels like part of a single story.

• Sustainability: Respecting the delicate ecological and archaeological balance of the region.

• Empathy: Acknowledging the site’s sacred status for descendant communities.

Why It Matters

The Ruinas de Quilmes competition represents a shift in how we approach heritage sites. It moves away from "preservation in a vacuum" toward an active, lived experience. By inviting visionary proposals, the competition seeks to strengthen the connection between the ancestors who built the city and the people who walk its paths today.

For architects and designers, this is an opportunity to contribute to one of Argentina's most significant cultural landmarks—crafting a legacy that honours the past while looking firmly toward the future.

"The scale and impact of the proposal remain open, encouraging a wide range of approaches – from discreet and minimal solutions that vanish into the landscape to more expressive and iconic interventions that stand as a contemporary tribute."

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