The house— a universal symbol of protection, intimacy, and identity— intertwines with the figure of a dictator, the embodiment of absolute power, control, and fear. This is not merely an architectural exercise, but an exis - tential reflection: what is a house when it belongs to someone who wields unlimited power? 

The "house of the dictator" is a paradox. On one hand, it is a fortress that conceals, protects, and isolates. On the other hand, it is a space of intimate vulnerability, a place where the dictator, whose figure is feared and alienat - ed from the public sphere, reveals their humanity, with all its fragility and fears.

Today, the importance of questioning the relationship between power and private space is relevant than ever. In a world marked by deep inequalities, forced migrations, and instability, architecture becomes a lens through which to analyze the dynamics of authoritarianism, protection, and isola - tion. What role does space play in consolidating or challenging power? How are the fears and ambitions of a dictator translated into the form of his home? 

What is the true nature of this duality? Is it a refuge that offers security and isolation, or a prison that stifles and traps its inhabitant? Which walls symbolize the dominion of authoritarianism, and which reveal its flaws and contradictions?

Competition

- How can a dwelling reflect paranoia and the obsession with control?

- What architectural forms and elements can embody the duality between power and fragility?

- Is it possible for a space designed for a dictator to convey something universal, relatable to us all?

Participants are encouraged to push beyond the limits of traditional archi - tecture, employing forms, materials, and atmospheres that evoke powerful emotions: from fear to vulnerability, from dominance to unease. There are no geographical restrictions—the project can be situated anywhere in the world—and no limitations on materials or techniques.

This challenge presents a unique opportunity to reflect on how absolute power influences the concept of dwelling and how architecture can examine the relationship between oppression and protection, between dominance and fear, between strength and fragility. We invite participants to interpret these themes with originality and depth, contributing to a fresh and thought-provoking vision of conceptual architecture.

Registration fees

Early Registration (January 20 – February 20, 2025): €60

Standard Registration (February 21 – April 21, 2025): €90

Late Registration (April 22 – May 22, 2025): €120

Prizes

First Prize: €2,500

Second Prize: €1,500

Third Prize: €1,000

Jury members

Gregorio Pecorelli – Architect

Alexis Schachter – Architect

Ferruccio Tasinato – Architect

Davit Asanidze – Urban Planner

Zoran Abadić – Architect

Elena Messner – Cultural Scientist

Deadlines & Timeline

Registration Deadline: May 22, 2025

Project Submission Deadline: May 25, 2025

Winners Announcement: July 6, 2025

Detailed information can be found on the competition's website. 

The top image in the article courtesy of Architecture Competition Organisers.

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