The Field Station
Dezeen Competitions: The Field Station by TerraViva calls for participants to design a field station situated in a nature reserve in Virginia, USA.
The competition invites designers to propose a research centre for science, art and technology, which should be sustainable and responsive to the site’s climate.
This competition is now closed
Organiser: TerraViva
Competition: The Field Station
Judges:
- Robert V Reis, principal and design director at Hanbury
- Olga Aleksakova, co-owner of Cloud Architects
- Daniel Perez, founder and principal of Studio Perez
- Irem Sezer, research and development fellow at AIA Virginia
- Isabella Bhoan, head of WestonWilliamson+Partners
- Jun Deng, architect at KPF
- Sandra Baggerman, architect at Trahan Architects
- Rafael Bonet, founder of Bonet + Partners
Submission deadline: 3 October 2025
Winner announcement: 5 November 2025
Prizes: first prize is €5,000, second prize is €2,000 and third prize is €1,000. Five golden mentions will win coupons for a free membership, ten honourable mentions will win coupons for a free competition, and 30 finalists will be published on TerraViva channels
Competition overview
The Field Station invites participants to design a multidisciplinary campus within the Shenk Property, a secluded nature reserve along Virginia’s Severn River (USA).
Surrounded by wetlands and woodlands, this site offers an opportunity to blend architecture with one of the East Coast’s most sensitive ecosystems.
Participants are asked to imagine an R&D Field Station that fosters innovation, research and collaboration across science, art and technology.
The architecture must be adaptable, sustainable and responsive to the shifting terrain and climate risks of the site.
The project should go beyond functionality: it must serve as a model for resilient design, where built and natural environments interact harmoniously.
Eligibility and judging criteria
The jury will evaluate all the proposals according to the following principles:
- Originality of the concept
- Integration with the natural context
- Creative interpretation of the programme
- Sensitive use of materials and textures
- Landscape design solutions
- Graphic representation
Projects that express a special sensitivity towards the natural context and quality environmental design solutions will be highly appreciated.
There is no restriction on height or footprint, though the total area should cover between 750 and 1,000 square metres.
How to enter
The registration and submission procedure must be done online.
Participants are to upload two A1 panels containing graphic information to explain the project, as well as a brief text detailing their proposal.
Submission deadlines
The submission deadline is 3 October 2025, with winners to be announced on 5 November 2025.
About TerraViva
TerraViva is a platform dedicated to the organisation of international architecture and design competitions.
The organisation connects talented designers around the world with partners and stakeholders looking for high-quality projects to rehabilitate a building, redesign an urban plot, or transform an entire district.
In addition to the organisation’s focus on architecture, it also works on graphic design contests, providing the ideal platform for international creatives to showcase their visual communication skills and contribute to innovative projects.
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