Deadline:
June 01, 2026
Location(s)
Online
Overview
FGC is an international design competition launched in 2011 by Curtis Fentress, Principal in Charge of Design for Fentress Studios, a Populous Company. Over the past fourteen years, the competition has attracted more than 1,200 submissions from university students and recent graduates around the world.
Details
ABOUT THE COMPETITION
Despite a multitude of technological advances including video conferencing and drones, the proliferation of airports worldwide continues to be spurred on by global commerce and an unrelenting demand for travel.
While the airport terminal—conceived a century ago—is a relatively new architectural typology, they have hold equal importance with quintessential civic buildings: city halls, courthouses, libraries, museums, and theaters. Yet, airports are uniquely complex and are more than simply high-volume transportation hubs. Increasingly, airports are also workplaces, centers of commerce, recreational outlets, and cultural resources.
Fentress Global Challenge (FGC) is an international student design competition. Since its inception in 2011, entries from more than 160 countries have competed for top honors. FGC represents an extraordinary exploration into the future of architecture and transportation, and in so doing, continues to advance the pursuit of innovative design.
COMPETITION SCHEDULE
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Competition Announcement + Brief: May 2025
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Deadline for Questions: May 15, 2026 at 23:00 UTC
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Entry Submission Deadline: June 1, 2026 at 23:00 UTC
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Announcement of Shortlist: June 2026
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Announcement of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Winners: July 2026
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
ELIGIBILITY
FGC is open to graduate and undergraduate students currently pursuing architecture or engineering degrees in an accredited university program, as well as recent graduates (within the last four years) with a degree in architecture or engineering. Current students must provide proof of active enrollment status: a scanned copy of their student ID and current course schedule. Recent graduates must provide a scanned copy of their diploma.
Participants in the FGC are allowed to go solo or team with a maximum of three team members. In the case of team submissions, awards will be split between team members. Participants are encouraged to choose the collaboration format that best aligns with their vision and design goals.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Creative Approach + Presentation
The design approach is innovative and inspiring. Both the concept and design solution are presented through unique and compelling graphics.
Response to Site
The design honors the physical attributes of the site’s context and culture. The overall design strategy matches the global and local demographic requirements of the location. Again, use context to create identity.
Sustainability + Resiliency
The design minimizes negative impacts to the wellbeing of humans and the natural environment. The overall design strategy also addresses vulnerabilities related to natural and humanmade disasters.
Functionality
The planning for building organization and operations is clearly expressed and appropriate. The design solution is well-defined and well-articulated through the structural, technical, and constructible rationale.
Innovation + Technology
The design envisions the advancement of aviation and technology with innovations that improve building performance and passenger experience, such as efficiency, safety, comfort, health and wellbeing, sustainability and resiliency, amenities and entertainment, cost savings, and more.
Dates
Deadline: June 01, 2026
Cost/funding for participants
AWARDS
- 1st Place: US $10,000
- 2nd Place: US $3,000
- 3rd Place: US $2,000
- Two (2) People's Choice Awards: US $1,000
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
