Call for entries · 2026 edition
ZNBS Student Awards & Housing Design Contestin partnership with the Zambia Institute of Architects
Design
the Zambian
home.
Designing for Life. Begin with the life, then design the space. Free to enter.
8 entry routes
Categories
01
Sustainable Housing
For everyday comfort.
Homes that use energy, water and materials wisely.
02
Affordable Housing
For a future within reach.
Quality homes within reach of Zambian households.
03
Traditional & Vernacular Architecture
For the way we belong.
Culturally rooted forms reinterpreted for today.
04
Urban Housing & Settlement Upgrading
For life beyond the front door.
Better density, services and dignity in our towns.
05
Climate Resilient Housing
For the days we must prepare for.
Homes ready for heat, floods and drought.
06
Housing Renewal & Property Value Enhancement
For the next chapter.
Improving existing homes and their value.
07
Community Housing Ideas
For the life you know.
Practical ideas from the people who build and live in homes.
08
Young Designers
For the lives ahead.
Pupils imagine the homes of the future.
Every entry is automatically considered for the jury's Housing Impact special recognition.
The campaign · Designing for Life
Before we draw the plan, we must understand the person.
Start with a person and an everyday need. Then design the possibility.
One thing I would change
Show the moment. Sketch the change. Tell us whose life it improves. #DesigningForLife
Not a competition entry. Never post your entry publicly during judging.
Entry requirements
One ZIP, four files.
Register to receive your UIN. Entries are judged anonymously — your name must not appear on any drawing.
- 1
UIN-1.pdf - 2
UIN-2.pdf - 3
UIN-statement.pdf - 4
UIN-info.pdf
Maximum upload 50 MB.
Full entry guide
The brief
Built to be built.
- Affordable
- Within reach of Zambian households — cost, incremental growth and financing considered.
- Climate-ready
- Responsive to heat, rain and drought, using local materials and skills.
- Culturally rooted
- Drawing on Zambian building traditions, not imported forms.
Who can enter
Three ways in
Architecture students & graduates
Students and recent graduates of recognised architecture programmes.
Community innovators
Builders, artisans and residents with housing ideas. Technical drawings are not mandatory.
School pupils
Primary and secondary school pupils, with a teacher or guardian as adult contact.
Key dates
Programme timeline
- Launch and call for entriesTBA
- Jury announcementTBA
- RegistrationTBA
- Submission deadlineTBA
- Technical compliance reviewTBA
Programme brief
Rules, categories, submission requirements and evaluation criteria in one document.
Download (coming soon)Organised by
Zambia National Building Society · Zambia Institute of Architects