This competition invites architecture professionals to design ephemeral installations that integrate innovation, sustainability and dialogue with the urban environment in the context of the 5th International Architecture Biennial of Euskadi, Mugak/.

The International Architecture Biennial of Euskadi Mugak/, organised by the Department of Housing and Urban Agenda of the Basque Government, will hold its fifth edition in the 3 Basque capitals from October to November 2025, consolidating its position as one of the main architectural events of the Atlantic Arc. The winning proposal will be built and used during the 5th Mugak/ Biennial.

Following the jury’s decision, the authors of the winning proposals will receive a prize of €10,000 + VAT in the form of fees for the management of the execution of the installation and will be able to carry out the project with a maximum budget of €50,000 + VAT

The competition includes the design of the installation and, in the case of the winning team, the management of its execution. The organisers of the International Architecture Biennial of Euskadi Mugak/ will collaborate in the production and construction of the winning proposal in coordination with the selected team.

"Castles in the air, or, how to build utopia today”

A lo largo del tiempo, las utopías han mostrado su capacidad para guiar y moldear la evolución del mundo hacia escenarios más deseables. En ellas buscamos visiones de comunidades armoniosas, fraternales y solidarias; ilusiones de libertad y deseos de formas de orden social más justas e igualitarias; innovaciones en aspectos productivos, económicos y en nuestra relación tanto con el mundo como entre nosotros mismos. Muchas de las propuestas política y urbanas hoy vigentes (el sufragio universal, la igualdad de género, los derechos de las minorías, los rascacielos, las ciudades jardín, el transporte público masivo y un largo etcétera) fueron en su tiempo tachadas de utópicas.

Over time, utopias have shown their ability to guide and shape the evolution of the world towards more desirable scenarios. In them, we seek visions of harmonious, fraternal, and supportive communities; illusions of freedom and desires for more just and egalitarian forms of social order; innovations in productive and economic aspects; and our relationship with the world and each other. Many political and urban proposals in force today (universal suffrage, gender equality, minority rights, skyscrapers, garden cities, mass public transport, etc.) were once dismissed as utopian.

The ephemeral architecture of this edition should be a meeting place that acts as a setting for citizens to reflect on the central theme of the 5th International Architecture Biennial of Euskadi, Mugak/, based on the slogan “CASTLES IN THE AIR, or, how to build UTOPIA TODAY”. The designs must address questions related to the architectural utopias of our time and how they can guide us towards a better future, combining aesthetics, materiality and social impact.

The 5th edition of the International Architecture Biennial of Euskadi Mugak/ is an invitation to share spaces for collective reflection and experimentation to discover the architectural utopias of our time that make it easier for us to move towards those better futures that we want to inhabit.

A meeting place on the frontier that allows us to move between the urgencies of the moment and the emergence of proposals that project us towards possible futures.

The ephemeral architectures will be installed in the 3 Basque capitals, in the following locations:

• Explanada de Alderdi-Eder in front of the town hall in Donostia-San Sebastian
• Paseo del Arenal in Bilbao
• Plaza de la Virgen Blanca in Vitoria

The information regarding the implementation in each city is detailed in the specific conditionsn for each locatio.

The competition is aimed at architecture professionals. The participants in their personal capacity and the responsible people from the participating companies must be in possession of all the professional, collegiate, fiscal, administrative and labour requirements and qualifications to exercise the regulated profession of architect.

The competition will be conducted anonymously, and participants must therefore submit the proposal in separate documents as set out in point 11 of these rules.

The identification of the team will only be revealed after the final decision of the jury, thus guaranteeing impartiality in the evaluation of the proposals.

Each participant may only form part of a single team, either as a team member or as a collaborator, and may only submit one proposal.

The project has a maximum budget of €50,000 + VAT for its execution.
This budget includes:

• Production of the materials and components of the ephemeral architecture
• Assembly and dismantling work
• Necessary auxiliary resources
• Transport and logistics
• Production of informative graphic elements

A prize of €10,000 will be awarded at each location for the winning teams, with a second prize of €1,000 and 1 runner-up prize.

The prize, in the form of a fee contract to be received by the winning proposal, will be to cover the following:

I. Drawing up the technical project for the execution of the work, producing the drawings showing the plan views, elevations and sections and graphic information on the construction details necessary to execute the proposal, as well as a technical justification bearing in mind the regulations that affect the proposed installation.
II. Collaborating with the production team and the collaborating company in making technical and material decisions.
III. Directing the execution of the installation, including the design, transport management, assembly and dismantling, health and safety, municipal permits and all other actions that may be necessary for the correct execution of the work. All issues arising from the production must be dealt with, carrying out the tasks of site and works management and H&S coordination.(*)
IV. The winning team and the organisers may propose new sponsors, which will be evaluated and must be approved unanimously.
V. The organisers may suggest to the authors the introduction of certain modifications to specific details, such as contents, uses, materials or graphic information about the Biennial. Under no circumstances may the suggested changes substantially alter the idea of the proposed work.
VI. Designing the complementary material that may be required for the correct execution of the proposal.
VII. Issuing the certificates arising from these functions, such as the certificate of correct execution of the work.
VIII. The team must sign and provide civil liability insurance for the work carried out, as well as a technical declaration of correct execution of the work, before it is opened to the public. IX. Applying the graphic identity of the Mugak/ Biennial in the work, including the design of the supports and possible associated auxiliary elements. X. The winning team will be hired by means of a contract for the provision of services, whereby the team will formalise the contract before 31 December 2024.

Note: In the event that the organising bodies of the competition consider (based on verified and validated reports by solvent entities) that the Construction Project is neither technically nor economically viable and therefore the winning proposal cannot be executed, the organising body reserves the right to award the contract to the second finalist proposal.

Note on point III: The execution of the work and the health and safety coordination of the winning proposals will be supported by a local professional in technical architecture, appointed for each city through a competition organised by the Professional Associations of Technical Architecture of Bizkaia, Gipuzkoa and Araba.

The work schedule is as follows:
• 30/10/2024 launch of the competition
• 30/11/2024 closing of the competition
• 18/12/2024 publication of the jury’s decision
• 28/02/2025 delivery of the construction project
• 29/09/2025 start of assembly
• 09/10/2025 inauguration of the installation

The proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

I. Architectural and spatial quality: The design will be evaluated from an aesthetic and functional point of view, assessing the quality of the space created and its ability to generate meaningful experiences for the citizens.
II. Relationship with the environment: Integration of the design with the chosen site.
III. Link with the theme: The extent to which the proposal corresponds with the theme of the 5th Mugak/ Biennial.
IV. Degree of innovation: Capacity to propose novel architectural solutions.
V. Coherence of construction: The structure must be functional and appropriate for the established temporary use. The proposal must take into account the contemplated logic with respect to materials attending to the specific conditions of each site.
VI. Technical and financial feasibility: Possibility of construction within the established budget and deadlines.
VII. Environmental impact: Life cycle approach of the proposal, circular economy and end-of-life scenario, waste minimisation and consideration of the 3Rs (Reuse, Remanufacture, Recycle).

The contestants undertake, by the mere fact of submitting their proposal, not to disclose it, either themselves or through any of the team members, before the jury’s decision, in order to guarantee anonymity and preserve the objectivity of the contest. This means that they will not be able to carry out any type of communication or publicity related to their proposals, including:

• Publications on social media, blogs or personal or professional websites.
• Appearances in the media.
• Inclusion in portfolios or public presentations of their work.

Contestants may not take part in communication regarding the contest with members of the jury.

Failure to comply with these commitments will result in the immediate disqualification of the proposal.

For future publications related to the work or the finalist proposals, the teams must coordinate with the communication team of the Mugak/ Biennial to disseminate the results based on a calendar and aesthetic criteria determined by the organisers.

The authors of the selected proposals temporarily cede the reproduction and exhibition rights to the Mugak/ Biennial organisers for use in the media, exhibitions, publications and other promotional activities, always mentioning the authorship.

LaThe intellectual property of the projects presented will correspond to their authors.

The Department of Housing and Urban Agenda, as well as the Habic Cluster and Indart3d, may disseminate all or part of the works submitted to the competition through exhibitions and publications, citing their origin and authorship, except in those cases in which the contestants have expressly requested to remain anonymous in case they do not win a prize.

Likewise, all the works submitted may be published on paper, digitally and also on the Internet under the same conditions established for the exhibition.

Proposals must be submitted using the form available on this site by 23:59 on 30 November 2024.

The documentation to be submitted consists of:

• A1 panel with graphic information about the proposal (maximum 20MB).
• Descriptive information about the proposal, according to this template.
• Team information entered via web form.

The documents must maintain the anonymity of the teams and must not show any information that could link them to their authorship. The files will be uploaded according to the following nomenclature:

• LEMA_MEMO.pdf
• LEMA_A1.pdf

The panel must contain the graphic and visual information that the team considers necessary to adequately explain the proposal. It is essential that the slogan appears in the upper right-hand corner, for the correct identification of the panel once it has been printed or projected. A resolution of 300 dpi is recommended.

The descriptive document must include the details of the proposal and technical information, including the budget.

The rules will be available on the Mugak/ Biennial website./

Any questions or queries that may arise for contestants during the course of the call for proposals must be sent via email to: info@bienalmugak.eus

Both the questions raised and the answers to them will be published on the website, and will be provided to the monitoring committee.

4/Participants Team participation:

Do all team members have to meet the requirements outlined in point 4 of the competition rules? Can some members meet all the requirements while others do not?
Only individuals designated as “team director” are required to meet these conditions. This designation should be confirmed when completing the online registration form, where details about the team director and other team members must be provided.

Can non-Spanish nationals enter the ephemeral architecture design competition? Is a foreign qualification acceptable? If I’m a non-Spanish architect (for example, from Latin America), how will compliance with the requirements be verified? Do these requirements need to be met before submitting the proposal, or is there flexibility to complete them afterward?
This is an international competition, open to participants from any country, either individually or as part of a team, provided that at least one team member meets the technical and legal qualifications outlined in point 7 of the regulations. Documentation and certifications will be requested from those designated as directors of the winning proposals. It is essential to have these qualifications in place before formalising the contract with the winning team. This contract signing will take place before 31 December 2024.

Can a licensed but not registered architect participate in the competition?
It will be an indispensable requirement to be in possession of all the requirements and qualifications before the formalization of the contract in case of being the author of the winning proposal. This contract will be executed before December 31, 2024. In any case, there is the option of entering the competition as a team, including a director who meets this requirement in advance. This designation of the director must be specified when filling out the web form for registration of the candidacy.

Is it necessary for a foreign architect to look for a local partner to participate in the call for proposals?
The person in charge of managing the team must be a professionally active architect and licensed to practice in his/her country of origin. The winning team in charge of managing the project must be able to cover the scope proposed in point VII of the bases within the amount of fees set in the prize of €10,000 + VAT. Consequently, the team will carry out all the work necessary to cover the correct development of the project, including the processing, obtaining and delivery of permits, certificates and civil liability insurance for the ephemeral installation. The subcontracting of third parties will be admitted, if necessary for this purpose, after prior notification and approval by the organization of the Biennial Mugak/.

5/Budget

What does the maximum budget for the execution of the project of 50,000 euros + VAT refer to?
It refers to the cost of the work/installation of the ephemeral architecture to be executed.

Is the winning team the subcontractor of the work to be executed?
The scope of work to be performed by the winning team is set out in point 7 of the bases and is remunerated with the payment of fees for 10,000 euros + VAT. On the other hand, for the execution of the work, a budget for the work is established which is 50,000 euros + VAT. This will be carried out by contracting the necessary supplier companies for the execution of the proposal, previously selected according to the needs of the project between the winning team and the organization of the Biennial.

What benefits do sponsors, like those in Vitoria and San Sebastián, offer for proposed projects? Is there any financial reduction in setup costs, materials, etc.?
The sponsors’ financial contribution is included within the €50,000 + VAT execution budget for the ephemeral intervention, which is the maximum budget for proposals. Besides financial support, the sponsors will also share their knowledge and expertise during the execution phase to help ensure the success of proposals at their respective locations.

Is it possible to access material budget lists from these collaborating companies? Can we direct questions to the sponsors themselves? General material budget lists aren’t provided. All queries should be sent to info@bienalmugak.eus, where specific technical and economic questions about materials and proposed systems will be addressed.

Special conditions: 2/ Materiality

Is there a height limit? Is there a limit of m2?
There is no height limit. Regarding the occupation of the intervention on the surface there is also no limit as long as the perimeter indicated on the site plan is respected.

Can other materials be used in addition to those of the sponsors?
All materials, components and construction systems that are deemed appropriate to complete the work can be used, as long as the system proposed in the particular conditions is used as the main system.

Is the facility intended to be used for any particular event, such as lectures or small concerts?
Within section 9/SELECTION CRITERIA the following is specified:
I. Architectural and spatial quality: The design will be evaluated from an aesthetic and functional point of view, assessing the quality of the space created and its capacity to generate meaningful experiences for citizens.
For the three locations Bilbao, Vitoria-Gasteiz and Donostia-San Sebastián, these “meaningful experiences for citizens” are left to the free choice and interpretation of the participating team. That is why no further specifications are given.

Special conditions: 2/ Materiality: Bilbao

In the competition brief, it’s mentioned that the Bilbao site has a maximum load limit of 200kg/m². Does this only apply to the elements of the ephemeral installation?
Yes, the maximum load limit only applies to the elements of the ephemeral installation, meaning the permanent load of the structure.

Special conditions: 2/ Materiality: Vitoria-Gasteiz

Should the local woods provided for the specific location be used?
You can use the wood species you consider most appropriate, as long as they are included in the options offered by Egoin. You can consult the entire offer at https://egoin.com/documentacion

Bilbao

1/ LOCALIZACIÓN

The Plaza de las Mujeres is located at the end of Bailén Street, in front of the Abando train station and facing the river. Dominated by the Bailén skyscraper, Bilbao's first high-rise building, this urban space sits atop the old La Naja train station, with views of the river and the Arenal. It was given this name in 2012 in memory and recognition of women who have been victims of gender-based violence.
This square connects the city’s past and present. Its strategic location makes it a key site within Bilbao’s urban fabric, granting it a unique confluence of pedestrian and vehicular flow, and serving as a point of connection between historic and modern areas of the city.
This public space is both a tribute and a meeting point, ideal for cultural activities and events, standing out as a landmark for its privileged location and symbolic significance.

The location plan is available here



For the execution of this ephemeral installation, no particular conditions have been established regarding the materials and systems to be used.

DONOSTIA-SAN SEBASTIAN

1/ LOCATION

The esplanade in front of the Donostia-San Sebastian town hall, located between the building and the Alderdi Eder gardens, is a large and emblematic space that acts as a meeting point for the city. This place, with exceptional views of the Bay of La Concha, is often a setting for various cultural and social activities in the city
It is an urban square used for open-air events, exhibitions and popular celebrations, such as the cannon fire to mark the start of the “Semana Grande” festivities or the children’s “tamborrada” (drumming procession). In addition, citizens use it as a place in which to stroll, rest, and enjoy the nearby gardens or the children’s playground with its emblematic carousel. The esplanade is a pivotal space for the cultural and social life of San Sebastian, combining nature, historical heritage and entertainment.

The location plan is available here

2/ MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

For the carrying out of this ephemeral architecture project, the Mugak/ Biennial is sponsored by the company Indart3d, which will provide material and technology for the execution of the ephemeral work.
Indart3D is a cooperative focused on innovation in 3D printing, specialising in the design, manufacture and sale of state-of-the-art printers, as well as prototyping and manufacturing services for 3D printed parts. The company seeks to promote industrial digitisation and collaborate in the development of customised solutions for a wide variety of applications, such as architecture, as in this case.

Description of the 3D printing system

The 3D printing systems used in this project may involve different 3D printers, with maximum sizes of large-scale equipment provided by Indart3D that have the following technical characteristics:
• Printer model: The entire range of Indart3D printers
• Printing technology: Filament and pellet technology type
• Printing volume: Maximum print volume dimensions per part: 1000x1000x1000 mm
• Printing resolution: Different resolutions, nozzles available:
- 0.15 mm
- 0.25 mm
- 0.4 mm
- 0.6 mm
- 0.8 mm
- 1.0 mm
- 1.4 mm
- 3.0 mm
- 5.0 mm
• Printing speed: Maximum extrusion flow rate 1.5kg/h of material

Printing materials

The system is designed to work with a wide range of materials, allowing adaptation to different projects. Materials to be used in the installation include:
• Filament/pellet type: It will be possible to manufacture with filament or pellet, depending on the part, size, geometry and needs.
• Colours available: A wide range of coloured filaments and pellet dyes are available.
• Material characteristics: The most recommended material is PLA. Other materials can also be used, although they may offer limitations in terms of size and/or geometry of the part. These include: ABS, flexible filaments, ASA, polyamides, PETG, fibre reinforced materials, recycled materials, etc. The suitability of the final material to be used may be subject to variations and will be defined during the execution phase together with Indart3d, and small tests or prototypes may be made to validate them.

Maintenance and technical support

Indart3D will provide technical support and maintenance during the execution of the project and will be responsible for manufacturing the printed parts necessary for the manufacture of the design.
Indart3D, in collaboration with the winning team, will be responsible for deciding the material and printing conditions of each design.

Limitations of the system

The printing system has the following limitations that must be considered in the project:
• Range of materials: Each material may have its limitations and tolerances after its manufacture
• Printing time: Small scale models will be made to assess their viability and for the optimisation of the proposal.
• Tolerances: Additive manufacturing tolerances vary depending on the material, printing parameters and geometry of the part.
• General characteristics and recommendations for the design: it is important to design the proposal bearing in mind the way in which the 3D parts are manufactured and the way in which they will work structurally. It is also important to take into account the degrees of inclination of the parts and to carry out a detailed design of the joints between each part.

VITORIA-GASTEIZ

1/ LOCATION

The Plaza de la Virgen Blanca, located in the heart of Vitoria-Gasteiz, is one of the most emblematic and busy spaces in the city. Surrounded by historic buildings and presided over by the monument to the Battle of Vitoria, the square has for centuries been the central meeting point for the inhabitants of the capital of Álava.
The square is famous for hosting the traditional celebration of the festivities of La Blanca, with the launching of the “Celedón”, which marks the start of the festivities. It is also a space used for various cultural events throughout the year, such as concerts, fairs, and open-air social activities. The square is also frequented by people out walking and is a regular meeting place for locals and a point of reference for tourists. The recent remodelling has made it more accessible and has improved the connection with the Old Town, better integrating urban life and historical heritage.

The location plan is available here.

2/ MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

For the carrying out of this ephemeral architecture project, the Mugak/ Biennial is sponsored by the company Egoin, which will provide material and technology for the execution of the ephemeral work.
EGOIN is a Basque company specialising in sustainable timber construction, with more than 30 years of experience in the manufacture of structural solutions. Its business model incorporates the entire value chain, from forest management and local timber production to the manufacture and assembly of construction elements. EGOIN is committed to innovation and sustainability, developing advanced technologies in glue laminated timber, cross-laminated timber (CLT) and light timber frames. With production facilities in Bizkaia and Álava, the company has established itself as a benchmark in southern Europe in industrialised timber construction.

Description of the materials and construction systems to be used

• Light timber frame
This system is ideal for light and quick to assemble constructions, offering flexibility in design and ease of modification of temporary structures. Panels should be prefabricated and may include specific finishes to facilitate assembly and dismantling without affecting the structural quality and aesthetics of the solution.
• Glue laminated timber (glulam)
The use of glulam will be a recommended option for structural elements requiring wide spans without intermediate supports. Priority will be given to solutions that minimise material waste, following the company’s sustainable approach.
• CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber)
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is a structural material composed of layers of solid wood arranged at perpendicular angles and bonded together using structural adhesives. CLT panels can be used as structural or finishing components, ensuring their removability to promote reuse.

General considerations

All the materials must be of local origin and with certifications that guarantee their sustainability, in line with Egoin’s philosophy of using local wood and environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. The final species or wood to be used will be agreed with EGOIN during the project execution phase.
In line with the value proposition offered by Egoin, the technology or combination of technologies mentioned above must be used, seeking the best construction solution adapted to the project, with particular emphasis on maximising the compatibility of an industrialised construction solution with the flexibility and adaptation to the architectural, structural and comfort requirements of the defined project.
The design must consider the ease of assembly and dismantling and the logistics of transport and execution, so that there is minimum impact on the site during the construction and removal phases of the installation.
These conditions seek to encourage the use of wood as a sustainable material and promote innovative ephemeral architecture in a historic urban space such as the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca.