1. Call for Entries
The College of Architects of Santa Cruz (CASCZ) invites all architects and architecture students to participate in the 10th International Architecture Biennale of Santa Cruz (BASC 2026) by submitting built works and projects carried out in their region and/or country, in accordance with the conditions set forth in this call.
2. Participation
- Eligible participants are architects who are the authors of the submitted works, according to the categories and programs of this Call, and who are duly authorized to practice the profession in their respective country of origin.
- Participants may submit their architectural production individually or as a group, specifying the author(s), project director, and collaborators.
- Works and/or projects completed and inaugurated between January 2020 and December 2025 may be submitted.
- Architects who are members, partners of members of the BASC organizing committee, or who have professional, work-related, or family ties with any member of the jury are not allowed to participate.
- Works that were presented in previous editions of the BASC may not be submitted.
- Architects may submit works in one or more design subcategories, but must complete separate registrations and payments for each submission.
3. Participation Categories
A. Professional Production (architects)
A.1. Built Work.
A.2. Projects (unbuilt works).
B. Academic Production (architecture students)
B.1. Final Degree Project or Thesis publicly defended (any subject).
4. Professional Production Category
This category seeks to recognize the work of professional architects internationally, whether in built works and/or unbuilt projects. Each submission must be uploaded digitally through the website: www.bienalscz.org, including:
- One (1) A0 sheet (841 x 1189 mm), vertical layout, PDF, maximum 40 MB. The design template with the official stamp (carimbo) can be downloaded from www.bienalscz.org. The panel should convey ideas and concepts with maximum synthesis quality using plans, perspectives and/or renders, photographs, diagrams, or photomontages. A clean and legible layout is recommended. Architectural drawings must not have distracting backgrounds and must include north and a graphic scale.
- Project statement: A descriptive text of max. 300 words plus a brief technical sheet including project data (name, surface area in m², year, location, category, theme, client, author[s]). The Word document (.DOC) must not exceed 1 MB.
5. Academic Production Category
This category seeks to recognize academic work within architecture schools and faculties internationally. Each submission must be uploaded digitally through www.bienalscz.org, including:
- One (1) A0 sheet (841 x 1189 mm), vertical layout, PDF, maximum 40 MB. Download the official stamp template at www.bienalscz.org. The panel must express ideas and concepts with maximum synthesis quality through plans, perspectives and/or renders, photographs, diagrams, photomontages. Clean, legible layout is recommended; architectural drawings must not have distracting backgrounds.
- Project statement: A descriptive text of max. 300 words plus a brief technical sheet including project data (name, surface area in m², year, location, category, theme, client, author[s], advising professor, university/faculty). The Word document (.DOC) must not exceed 1 MB.
- Endorsement letter from the university represented, duly signed by the program head/director or dean, certifying that the project, student, and faculty advisor belong to the institution. JPG or PDF, maximum 1 MB.
Final Degree Projects
- Must be works already evaluated in an external public defense.
- May be individual or group authorship.
- The project must have been developed during the 2023 and/or 2024 academic years (mandatory).
6. Design Subcategories
These are the different architectural and urban design programs and scales for projects submitted under Academic Production:
6.1. Urban Design
Metropolitan and district-scale urban planning.
Housing developments, residential complexes.
Urban space design, refunctionalization, restoration.
6.2. Service Architecture
Culture, religion, sports.
Education, health, hospitality.
Commercial, business.
Industrial, transport, urban mobility.
6.3. Residential Architecture
Single-family housing (detached, semi-detached, row).
Multifamily buildings, housing complexes.
Mixed-use, experimental, or hybrid buildings.
6.4. Environmental/Interior Design Architecture
Interior architecture.
Landscape architecture, outdoor and garden design.
Ephemeral architecture, installations, stands.
6.5. Heritage Architecture
Restoration, rehabilitation.
Refunctionalization, revitalization, recycling.
7. Registration Process
To participate in any design subcategory, access www.bienalscz.org and complete the registration process within the established deadlines:
7.1. Registration Fee
Payment for each submission must be made via credit card at www.bienalscz.org. Fees:
USD 100.00 (one hundred US dollars) – International Category: Professional Production.
USD 70.00 (seventy US dollars) – Academic Production.
7.2. Online Registration
Fill in the Registration Form at www.bienalscz.org with basic project data: author(s), responsible party, client, category, geographic location, title, year of execution.
Attach payment proof (JPG or PDF). Each project requires an individual payment receipt.
Upload graphic material: two (2) general representative photos (JPG, 300 dpi or higher), two (2) floor plans, one (1) section, one (1) elevation (grayscale, no hatches or dimensions, JPG 300 dpi or higher).
Upload project statement: max. 300 words plus brief technical sheet (project name, surface area, year, location, category, theme, client, author[s], collaborators, photo credits, etc.). Word (.DOC), max. 1 MB.
Upload panel: A0 format (841 x 1189 mm), PDF, max. 40 MB. Download the official stamp template at www.bienalscz.org.
All works submitted are accepted without preselection. However, the Reviewing Committee will issue a report with curatorial observations (if any). Participants will be notified to correct or supplement their work within a set deadline.
8. Awards and Recognitions
- The jury may award prizes and honorable mentions in each design subcategory.
- The jury will grant the Grand International Biennale Award 2026 to the best projects among the Professional Production – Built Work category. Each first prize receives a statuette and certificate; mentions receive certificates.
- The jury will also grant the Grand International Biennale Award 2026 to the best projects among the Academic Production – Final Degree Project category. Each first prize receives a statuette and certificate; mentions receive certificates.
- All submissions receive a participation certificate and will be published in the Biennale Memory Book; each author will receive one copy.
- Winning works and mentions will be publicized through CASCZ (www.cascz.org), BASC (www.bienalscz.org), and Media Partners nationally and internationally.
- Winning works will be part of a traveling exhibition representing BASC in other Latin American biennales (BAAL network members).
- Winning Built Works will automatically be nominated for the ON Award – Oscar Niemeyer Prize (BAAL Network), with fees covered by CASCZ.
- Winning Built Works will also be nominated for the Pan-American Biennale of Quito (BAQ), with fees covered by CASCZ.
- Winning works will be exhibited at the Pan-American Biennales Meeting organized by the Pan-American Federation of Architects Associations (FPAA).
9. Jury
- The Jury will be appointed by the BASC 2026 Organizing Committee and publicly announced prior to evaluation.
- The Jury may declare any category void or recommend special recognitions.
- Each category jury will consist of three (3) to five (5) international architects designated among invited foreign professionals.
10. Jury Proceedings
- The Jury will deliberate collegially and decide by consensus or majority through a closed vote. Evaluation criteria will be defined by consensus in line with this Call.
- Jury proceedings will conclude with an evaluation report and award decision.
- Results will be announced at the public awards ceremony on the date set in the Biennale calendar.
- Jury decisions are final and not subject to appeal. By registering, participants implicitly accept that the Jury's decision is final and cannot be contested.
11. Inquiries
For further questions not covered in this Call, contact: coordinacion@bienalscz.org, directed to Arch. Jesús Yépez, BASC International Coordinator.
12. Timeline
Call launch: Friday, September 26
Inquiries: September 26 – January 10
Submission start: Monday, November 10
Submission deadline: Monday, February 2, until 23:59 h
Jury evaluation: March 2 – March 22
Biennale opening ceremony: Monday, March 23
Public announcement of finalists: Tuesday, March 24
Public exhibition – Biennale Pavilion: March 25 – March 29
Awards ceremony: Saturday, March 28