Arquine Competition No. 28

MEXTRÓPOLI PAVILION 2026

Since 1998, Arquine has established itself as a key platform for architectural dialogue through its annual international competition, encouraging the exchange of ideas and critical perspectives on contemporary architecture. The 28th edition of the Arquine Competition continues this legacy by inviting architects, designers, and multidisciplinary teams to conceive, construct, and activate a temporary pavilion in the Historic Center of Mexico City as part of the MEXTRÓPOLI Architecture and City Festival.

The competition calls for proposals that respond to specific temporal, economic, and technical conditions while demonstrating the capacity to engage the public. Beyond functioning as a physical structure, the pavilion is expected to operate as an active spatial catalyst—capable of provoking interaction, reflection, and collective experience within the urban context.

OBJECTIVES

The Arquine Competition No. 28 seeks to bring together participants from around the world to propose innovative ideas for the design and construction of a public pavilion that can be recycled or reused in accordance with the competition guidelines. At the same time, the project aims to establish a reference point within the MEXTRÓPOLI Architecture and City Festival, fostering dialogue around architecture, public space, and contemporary urban life.

SITE

The MEXTRÓPOLI Pavilion 2026 will be installed in one of two emblematic locations in Mexico City’s Historic Center: Alameda Central or Plaza Manuel Tolsá. The final site selection will be determined by the festival’s curatorial and logistical considerations, reinforcing the pavilion’s relationship with the city’s historical and cultural fabric.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Participants are required to submit a single digital image containing all the information necessary to clearly communicate the proposal. The submission must include architectural drawings such as site plans, floor plans, and sections at appropriate scales, as well as diagrams, sketches, collages, or other visual representations—either hand-drawn or digital—that convey the conceptual approach. Construction details must also be included, along with a descriptive text of no more than 250 words written in either Spanish or English.

The file must be formatted horizontally at 90 by 60 centimeters, with a resolution of 72 DPI, saved in JPG format, and must not exceed 5 MB. The filename must correspond exactly to the registration code assigned during sign-up, following the format ARQ-28C-XXXX. Only submissions uploaded through the official competition platform and delivered within the established deadlines will be considered valid.

AWARDS

The First Prize consists of a cash award of MXN 100,000, the construction of the MEXTRÓPOLI Pavilion 2026, complimentary access to the festival for up to two team members, and a collection of up to ten Arquine publications.

The Second Prize includes a cash award of MXN 50,000, complimentary access to MEXTRÓPOLI for up to two team members, and a selection of up to ten Arquine books.

The Third Prize awards MXN 25,000, along with complimentary access for up to two team members and a set of up to ten Arquine publications.

The jury may also grant an unlimited number of honorable mentions at its discretion.

COMPETITION SCHEDULE

Registration for the competition opens on November 17, 2025. The inquiry period closes on February 23, 2026, followed by the publication of frequently asked questions on March 2, 2026. Registration closes on April 17, 2026, with the final submission deadline set for April 20, 2026. Jury deliberations will take place on April 23, 2026, and the results will be announced on April 27, 2026. Executive development is scheduled to begin in May 2026, with the pavilion’s installation and opening planned for September 2026.

CASH PRIZE AWARD

The total cash prize for the competition amounts to USD 9,500.

For full details and access to the official call for entries, visit the competition platform here