The water tower

REIMAGINING MILANINO’S LANDMARK AS A CONTEMPORARY CULTURAL HUB

Terraviva introduces The Water Tower, an international architectural competition inviting designers from around the world to reimagine one of Milanino’s most iconic yet overlooked structures. Once a vital piece of urban infrastructure, the historic Water Tower now stands dormant, carrying decades of memory and untapped potential. This competition challenges architects and creatives to transform it into a vibrant cultural landmark for the city’s future.

Set within the garden city of Milanino, the project calls for a bold yet sensitive reinterpretation of the tower, positioning it as a new civic catalyst capable of hosting cultural life, social interaction, and creative exchange. With prizes totaling up to 16,000 euros, the competition brings together an international jury of architects, academics, and urban thinkers, including representatives from Politecnico di Milano, MVRDV, and leading Italian design studios.

RECLAIMING A LANDMARK THROUGH ARCHITECTURE

At the heart of the competition lies the ambition to restore the Water Tower’s central role in the urban fabric. Participants are invited to imagine a transformation that moves beyond preservation toward reinvention. The project should reinterpret both the interior and exterior of the structure, introducing new programs such as exhibition spaces, coworking areas, cultural venues, terraces, and outdoor public zones that activate the site throughout the year.

Rather than a static monument, the Water Tower is envisioned as a living place—open, inclusive, and continuously engaged with daily life. The challenge is to balance historical identity with contemporary needs, crafting an architecture that respects memory while embracing innovation.

A PLATFORM FOR CULTURAL AND SOCIAL LIFE

The competition seeks proposals that can turn a vertical structure into a social anchor for the entire neighborhood. Designers are encouraged to imagine how architecture can foster encounters, host events, and support creative activities across generations. The goal is not merely architectural restoration, but transformation through use, participation, and imagination.

Projects should demonstrate how a single structure can function as a cultural engine, capable of generating connections between people, programs, and public space. Innovation, adaptability, and sensitivity to context are central to the vision.

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

The competition offers a total prize pool of 16,000 euros. The first prize is awarded 8,000 euros, followed by a second prize of 4,000 euros and a third prize of 2,000 euros. Five Golden Mentions will receive free competition memberships, while ten Honorable Mentions will be awarded complimentary entries. In addition, thirty finalist projects will be featured across Terraviva’s official communication channels, offering significant international exposure.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND FORMAT

Participants are asked to submit two horizontal A1 panels measuring 59.4 by 84.1 centimeters, accompanied by a written description of the proposal ranging from 250 to 500 words. Submissions should clearly communicate the architectural concept, spatial strategy, and relationship between the building and its urban context.

JURY

The competition jury brings together an international group of professionals from academia, practice, and public institutions. Members include Lidia Arduino of the Municipality of Cusano Milanino, Luciano Crespi of Politecnico di Milano, Lula Ferrari of Lula Ferrari Studio, Paolo Cesaretti of Paolo Cesaretti Architettura, Matteo Scaltritti of Semarchitettura, Luana La Martina of MVRDV, Michele Cassino of Studio 3Mark, and Letizia Melzi of Tectoo.

The competition opens on December 12. Early registration is available until February 27, followed by standard registration until April 10 and late registration until April 30. The submission deadline is April 30, 2026, and the winners will be announced on June 1, 2026.

A New Chapter for Milanino

The Water Tower competition invites architects to imagine how a forgotten structure can once again become a meaningful part of everyday life. Through thoughtful design, cultural programming, and architectural innovation, the project seeks to transform an industrial relic into a shared civic landmark for the future.

The total cash prize for the competition amounts to 18,000 USD.

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

Link bài: https://www.designboom.com/competition/the-water-tower/