The University of Technology, Sydney have launched the second Open Agenda Research Architecture call for entries, fantastically including New Zealand in the call.

Open Agenda is an annual competition aimed at supporting a new generation of experimental architecture. Open to recent graduates, Open Agenda is focused on developing the possibilities of design research in architecture and the built environment.

An initiative of the School of Architecture at UTS, this national competition is intentionally broad in its scope, and dedicated to fostering new discussions on architecture in the public realm.
-Open Agenda organisers


A colleague and myself were successful in this competition last year, and I have to say the organisers, Anthony Burke and Rebecca Thomas were both stimulating and enthusiastic in their support and running of the competition, which includes a public presentation and exhibition of the work of all three winners, and a publication collecting the works.

I strongly encourage recent graduates to take the opportunity to indulge in a research-focused project, the scope of which is entirely up to you.

The invitation calls for text and graphic based design research proposals which explore new positions in architecture for critical consideration.  Graduates must have completed their studies in the last ten years (including and after 2001).

The award includes seed-funding of AU$2000 towards the development of the proposal, as well as the previously mentioned events.

For more info on submission requirements, check out the competition website here, and get going, registrations close May 27, with a deadline for proposals on May 30.  You can also peruse the initial (awarded) submissions from last year on the competition website.

Last years winners:


(in)human habitat -James Gardiner (UTS/RMIT graduate)


CityBREEDER -David Pigram and Iain Maxwell (University of Canberra/AA/GSAPP graduates)


architecture drawing -Byron Kinnaird and Barnaby Bennett (Victoria University Wellington, NZ)

utsarchitecture.net/openagenda/