The UIA is pleased to launch the first of several coordinated contributions to be shared with Member Sections in the coming days.

We begin with  the International Call for Projects for the UIA Atlas of Learning Environments, an initiative of the UIA Educational and Cultural Spaces Work Programme. This global call invites architects, built environment practitioners, and practice-based researchers from around the world to submit educational projects and research that demonstrate architectural excellence and meaningful impact.

UIA Atlas of Learning Environments
A Global Catalogue of Best Practices in Educational Architecture

The Atlas is conceived as an open-access digital catalogue showcasing contemporary built works and practice-based research in educational architecture. It aims to highlight projects that demonstrate significant social, cultural, and environmental benefits to the communities and regions they serve.

The initiative contributes to ongoing research on how the built environment profession engages with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and how architectural design can support inclusive, equitable, and high-quality lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Selected projects will be:

  • Included in the open-access digital Atlas
  • Presented as a practical reference of architectural best practices
  • Exhibited at the UIA World Congress of Architects in Barcelona (June–July 2026)

Categories

Submissions must fall under one of the following categories:

1. Built Work (Completed Projects)

Projects that demonstrate design excellence aligned with one of the Atlas’ three critical themes:

  • Learning environments supporting quality education, human health and human dignity
  • Learning environments for a just global climate system

Eligible project scales include: Urban Campuses and Educational Neighbourhoods, New Schools, Restorations, Building Additions and Alterations, Small Projects, Interiors, and Landscapes.

2. Practice-Based Research

Research projects that engage directly with architectural practice, provide tangible outcomes, and have been implemented in at least one educational architectural project.

Eligibility

  • Open internationally to architects, built environment practitioners, and practice-based researchers
  • Interior designers, landscape architects, planners, institutions, and governments may apply if the project is architect-led
  • Projects must have been completed between 2015 and 2025
  • Submissions must be in English
  • Applicants may submit multiple projects (each project must be submitted separately)

Timeline

  • Launch of the International Call: 18 February 2026, 13:00 (CEST)
  • Deadline for Questions: 1 March 2026, 13:00 (CEST)
  • Deadline for Answers: 9 March 2026, 13:00 (CEST)
  • Deadline for Submission of Entries: 30 March 2026, 15:00 (CEST)
  • International Selection Panel: 20 April – 25 May 2026
  • Exhibition at the 2026 UIA World Congress of Architects in Barcelona:  28 June 2026


Submission and Contact

All queries regarding this call should be directed to: atlas-le@uia-architectes.org

Find out more on the UIA website.