July 31 2025

Emerging architects are being offered the chance to prove themselves on live projects with the launch of a micro architecture competition hub.

Intended to provide a leg up to young, small and emerging practices, the community competitions format aims to establish a fast and fair means to connect clients and architects by offering real-world opportunities.

An open call for concept designs has been issued for the first brief of the new format, a neglected space outside a public convenience on Portobello Beach. Launching today at 17:00, the community project seeks ideas for a sustainable enterprise on the promenade that could include a cafe, social space or recreational hub to support the ongoing running costs of the associated toilets.

The project brief, led by Kieran Gaffney at Konishi Gaffney Architects, invites low-cost and low-carbon solutions that will bring new life to the waterfront with improved landscaping, amenities and a potential outdoor event space.

In an impassioned call for action, Gaffney said: "Young architects lack opportunities to build, be seen, and shape their careers. At the same time, communities and small businesses are shut out from design expertise that could help them thrive.

"We will lose the talent, ideas, and energy that emerging practices bring. Architecture becomes narrower, less relevant, and less accessible.

"Another future is possible where new voices shape the built world—where architecture is open, diverse, and deeply connected to community. A culture where experimentation is possible, and design is for everyone."

Submissions should be filed on a single A2 page by noon on 8 September when proposals will be put before a panel of five judges, including architect Malcolm Fraser and former AJ editor Rory Olcayto. Branding expert Esther Clayton; interior designer Craig McIntyre and landscape architect Frazer McNaughton round out the panel. 

4 Comments

#1 Posted by Stevie Steve on 31 Jul 2025 at 13:13 PM

Interesting... but I hope this doesn't turn into students providing free concept designs for others...

#2 Posted by Lovely on 1 Aug 2025 at 14:48 PM

More likely to be well qualified hard working architects giving away their time and ideas for free, I mean who pays the fees for this?

I suppose it is good to encourage the use of design architects and good ideas generation on smaller projects.

Maybe they have a system in place to prevent the inevitable slide towards more and more free work as worthy young architects try to show their skills on something interesting as a hobby rather than a paid profession.....

#3 Posted by cutting teeth on 2 Aug 2025 at 11:11 AM

Would someone kindly let me know if i am not alone in thinking that the wording of this article and whole idea incredibly patronising, and frankly downright misleading to the gullible as to how the world actually is and works in reality (not to mention could be)
Or in other words, i think that architects have more chance of winning the lottery than achieving what is outlined in Kieran Gaffney's last three paragraphs based on a naively idealised meritocracy. Anyway, keep on truckin' mate.

#4 Posted by D to the R on 4 Aug 2025 at 09:57 AM

'Young architects lack opportunities to build, be seen, and shape their careers' They actually don't ... there are opportunities out there but they've been taught that if the world questions your architectural ego and/or rationale ... just make your own world. Time to get real.

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