The Swiss Finance & Property Group (SFP Group) is inviting students from various fields—including architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, and spatial planning—to participate in the Walzwerk Student Design Competition. This international contest aims to generate ideas about the future of a notable former industrial complex in Switzerland.
Located between Münchenstein and Arlesheim in Basel-Landschaft, Walzwerk has transformed from an old aluminum factory into an active hub for culture, education, leisure, and work. Currently, the site hosts over 90 tenants and is beginning a new phase of restructuring, aiming to establish itself as a vibrant mixed-use urban district. This transformation must respect its industrial history while addressing current environmental and social challenges.
Participants are asked to conceive a futuristic vision for Walzwerk that harmonizes the preservation of its character with the introduction of innovations. Submissions should not simply replace what already exists; they must demonstrate how new architectural elements, public spaces, landscaping, and programs can reinforce the site's identity, generating sustainable economic and social value and strengthening ties with neighboring communities.
Projects will be judged based on five criteria, all carrying equal weight: Urban and Landscape Continuity, Economic Viability and Feasibility, Social Diversity and Inclusion, Identity and Narrative, and Ecology and Sustainability. The competition seeks proposals that are ambitious yet realistic, presenting a clear spatial plan for a resilient, inclusive, and future-oriented urban district.
Participation is open to students regularly enrolled in recognized universities or applied science institutions. Individuals or groups of up to four people can register, with interdisciplinary collaborations being encouraged.
The three winning teams will receive cash prizes and have their work publicly displayed during the Walzwerk Christmas Market. First place is worth CHF 5,000, second CHF 2,500, and third CHF 1,000.
The timeline sets the competition launch for June 2026, followed by an online Q&A session on August 6, 2026. An optional site visit will take place on September 22, 2026. The final deadline for submissions is October 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Final presentations and the awards ceremony are scheduled for November 11, 2026, with the public exhibition running from November 21 to November 22, 2026.
Applicants must submit a vertical presentation board in PDF format (maximum 20 MB), detailing the design concept, implementation strategy, proposed program, along with drawings, diagrams, plans, sections, facades, and visualizations, accompanied by a brief description of the material and intervention strategy. Additionally, an A4 summary sheet (PDF), following the provided template, is required, containing team data, a project summary, and a concise statement on how the proposal addresses each of the five evaluation criteria. All submissions must be made digitally by the deadline to hochschulwettbewerb@sfp.ch. Confirmed participants will receive all necessary documentation, including maps and site plans.
