The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction is proud to host the Architectural Student Design Competition. Each year, the competition aims to introduce students to the use of exposed structural steel and show the design potential of formal expression, detailing and surface finish. Winners and finalists receive cash prizes, including $8,000 for the Award of Excellence (1st Prize).
2026-2027 CISC Architectural Student Design Competition
2026-2027 Competition Theme
Students in Canadian Schools of Architecture and Engineering are asked to design an open air, year-round, transformable, market building. It is intended that this community space be free standing (not dependent on other buildings for support), provide a canopy that provides protection from sun, rain and snow. The design should also provide some wind protection to permit cold weather use. Lateral stability must be demonstrated. Adaptability to varied seasonal use cases will be seen as beneficial.
The primary structure must be fabricated from Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel (AESS), with specific reference to the Categories and Characteristics as described in the CISC AESS Guide. Detailed references are available through the competition website.
The site is to be located in Canada to the specific discretion of the student team.
| 1st Prize – Award of Excellence | student team (1) $8,000 faculty sponsor $2,000 |
|---|---|
| 2nd Prize | student team (1) $4,000 faculty sponsor $1,000 |
| 3rd Prize | student team (1) $2,000 faculty sponsor $500 |
Aesthetics and Ingenuity
The project should demonstrate architectural creativity through a thoughtful and compelling design solution. The jury will evaluate the originality of the concept, the quality of the architectural expression, and the integration of form, function, structure, and context. Ingenuity is reflected in the creative use of structural steel to shape spaces and architectural experiences, while maintaining a clear and coherent design vision.
Incorporation of Competition Theme
The submission should demonstrate a clear response to the competition theme. The jury will evaluate how effectively the theme has influenced the overall design concept, rather than simply being referenced. Strong submissions will show a meaningful relationship between the theme, the site, the program, and the architectural solution.
Use of Structural Steel
Structural steel should be the primary structural material and an integral part of the architectural concept. The jury will evaluate how well the design takes advantage of the unique characteristics of steel, such as its strength, slenderness, long-span capability, and adaptability. Students are encouraged to demonstrate a basic understanding of how the structural system contributes to both the performance and architectural expression of the project.
Constructability
The competition encourages students to think beyond the concept and consider how their design could realistically be constructed. The jury will evaluate whether the proposed structural system demonstrates a basic understanding of practical construction, including the selection of appropriate steel shapes, realistic member sizes, and reasonable consideration of load paths and lateral stability. The objective is not a fully engineered design, but evidence that constructability has been thoughtfully considered.
Architectural Exposed Structural Steel – AESS
Where structural steel is exposed, the project should demonstrate a basic understanding of Architectural Exposed Structural Steel (AESS) (Refer to CISC Guide). The jury will evaluate whether the selected AESS category is appropriate for the architectural intent and expected viewing conditions. Students should recognize that the four AESS Categories (AESS 1 through AESS 4) correspond to different levels of visual quality, and that higher levels of finish are generally justified only where the steel is prominent and viewed at close range. The objective is the appropriate application of AESS principles, not the highest level of finish.
Proposals must exclusively use steel in the design of the structure and for surfaces where appropriate. The design must demonstrate an understanding of the properties and possibilities steel has to offer.
The competition requires students to:
• design a structural frame with steel elements
• design constructable connections
• collaborate with a steel fabricator to choose the steel members and their connections
Collaboration between designer(s) and fabricator(s) is encouraged to familiarize students with the industry and allow them to develop a realistic and constructable proposal.
Students and faculty sponsors are encouraged to seek advice and guidance from a local steel fabricator to help chose the right steel sections and detail the design. CISC can suggest names of steel fabricators, on request.
The competition may be conducted as part of a design studio project under the direction of the faculty sponsor or as an independent extracurricular self-directed project.
Winning entries and their faculty sponsor will receive stipulated prizes. Prizes will be divided evenly between group members.
Winning entries will be published on the CISC website and announced in our Advantage Steel publication. The projects will be displayed at the CISC Annual Conference.
To submit your proposal, click on the link received in your registration confirmation email. Simply log into your account and attach a single project file in PDF format.
All entries must be received by June 15, 2027.
2026-2027 Jury Members
The jury is composed of Architects, Engineers and Fabricators who have been past CISC winners for their outstanding achievements in steel construction or whose work.
Jury President
Sylvie Boulanger, ing./P.Eng., Ph.D.
Senior Engineer
MTB Consulting, Montreal
Jury Members
Owen Rose, PA LEED
rose architecture, Montréal
Andy Metten, P.Eng., Struct.Eng.
Bush, Bohlman & Partners LLP, Vancouver
Nicolas Demers-Stoddart, Architecte, OAQ, OAA, MRAIC
COEX, Montréal
Peter Steunenberg
Solid Rock Steel Fabrication, Surrey
Andrew Voth, P.Eng., Ph.D.
Read Jones Christoffersen Ltd., Toronto
Farzan Farzaneh
Marcon Metalfab, Delta
