OPEN CALL
For Design Proposal
A collaboration between Bamboo U and the Base Bahay Foundation.
The
$10,000 USD
Bamboo Home Challenge
According to the United Nations, over two-thirds of the world's population will live in cities by the year 2050.
Due to the increase in urbanization, the need for housing is substantially growing.
As designers, it is imperative for us to confront the growing need for housing with solutions that are innovative, human-centered, and scalable.
With support from The Hilti Foundation
... invite architects, designers, engineers, and creative thinkers worldwide to develop a 10,000 USD house as a prototype to scale across the tropical regions of the world.
YOUR GOAL:
To imagine, design, and build a dignified, functional, and resilient prototype rooted in the social and environmental needs of real communities.
THE CONTEST
We challenge you to optimize bamboo’s strength, flexibility, and beauty to design a home in Bali, Indonesia.
The home must be buildable for under $10,000 USD and within 80 sqm.
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.
Your design must demonstrate that affordable bamboo housing is not only possible, but beautiful.
FIRST PLACE - UNIQUE PRIZE
Your winning design will be built at full scale in Bali during Bamboo U’s 11-Day Course in October 2026
Includes flights, accommodation, and a free 11-Day Bamboo Build and Design course (valued at $2,775 USD) for one team representative during October 2026.
Up to two additional team members may join the 11-Day Bamboo Build and Design course for free but must cover their own travel to and from Bali.
Honorary Mention
The Jury may agree to mention as many projects as it deems worthy of such a distinction.
POST-CONTEST PUBLICATION
Following the contest, Bamboo U and Base Bahay will curate and publish a printed and digital book that showcases the winning design and other outstanding entries (honorary mentions).
The purpose of this publication is to inspire the broader community of architects, builders, and decision-makers on the potential of bamboo for affordable housing.
The book will:
- Feature project drawings, visuals, and descriptive texts
- Include insights from the jury
- Credit all selected authors prominently
THE JURY
Stay tuned!
We will reveal the full jury in February 2026!
REGISTRATION
Architects, engineers, designers, urban planners, artists, sociologists, students and/or the like, from all over the world, individually or as a team, are invited to participate.
Team size is limited to up to three individuals. Each contestant or team may submit only one proposal.
In no case can the member of one team also be part of another.
To register, you must pay a single registration fee.
The fee will vary depending on the date of registration.
Early Bird Registration Phase - $240
From January 19th till February 8th, 2026
Main Registration Phase - $280
From February 9th till March 15th, 2026
RECEIVING THE BRIEF
Once the payment has been made and credited, each participant will receive an email with a confirmation and contestant CODE within a maximum period of 72 hours.
You will also receive the complementary information provided for the development of the proposal.
IMPORTANT DATES
REGISTRATION PERIOD
January - March 2026
SUBMISSION DEADLINE
17th April 2026
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT
15th May 2026
PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT
June - August 2026
CONSTRUCTION
23rd October -
3rd November 2026
NEED HELP?
If you want to know more about the contest or require further assistance from our
team, do not hesitate to reach us through the helpdesk.
Helpdesk Hours:
Monday - Friday 09.00 - 16.00 (GMT+8)
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