This year's architectural writing competition offers two possible themes:

1) Write about a building in your community that you know well. Why does the building interest you? What role does it play? How does it bring people together?
2) Write about a building or a place you really want to visit one day. What is special about it? Why does it appeal to you? When do you think you might get there?

The essay competition is organised by Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) with the support of the Warren Trust.

Please note, this competition has now closed. 

There are two entry categories, Open and Secondary School students, the winners of which receive prizes of $2000 and $1000, respectively. Three highly commended awards, each of $500, will also be made.

The deadline for entries is 10 August 2020. Results will be announced in September.

The competition judges are Diana Wichtel (columnist and author), Tony van Raat (former Head of the School of Architecture, Unitec) and Sally Conor (Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZIA).

The essay topic and conditions of entry are attached and may also be downloaded here.

Each year, the NZIA publishes a book of selected essays from the competition. The books are for sale in our shop.

Read past years' winning essays, including Jade Kake's prize-winning writing about Ruapekapeka Pā, in our Awards section.

Overview: The 2020 Warren Trust Awards for Architectural Writing

Entry categories:

Open and Secondary School

Essay topic:

1) Write about a building in your community that you know well. Why does the building interest you? What role does it play? How does it bring people together?

OR

2) Write about a building or a place you really want to visit one day. What is special about it? Why does it appeal to you? When do you think you might get there?

Word limits:

Open – up to 1500 words
Secondary School student – up to 1000 words

Prizes:

First Prize, Open category: $2000
First Prize, Secondary School Student category: $1000
Highly Commended (3 prizes across both categories): $500

Deadline for entries:

10 August 2020

This competition has now closed. 

Entry format:

Email your essay as a Word document attachment; text only (no illustrations or images). Your essay should have a title, but please do not put your name on the essay; include your name and address, and the name of your school (if you are entering in the Secondary School category), in your email message.   

Entry is free. 

Competition judges:

Diana Wichtel (columnist and author), Tony van Raat (former Head of the School of Architecture, Unitec) and Sally Conor (Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZIA). 

The prize-winners will be announced in September 2020.  

Conditions of entry:

• One entry per person
• Essays will not have been published elsewhere
• An essay must be wholly the work of the person submitting it
• Writers must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents
• Writers retain copyright of their essays, but grant the NZIA licence to publish essays in its publications (print and online)   
• No correspondence with the competition judges will be entered into.