Epistle announces the second edition of the Epistle Writing Prize, following its launch in 2024. The prize is an annual competition dedicated to recognising outstanding writing on design, architecture and environment. Celebrating the power of the written word, participants are invited to inform, intrigue or persuade readers by presenting novel arguments or engaging narratives on the built environment. Stemming from Epistle's mission to democratise architectural discourse, the prize seeks to highlight compelling voices and stories from the Global South, bringing attention to previously unheard perspectives.

Brief for Participants:


What does the world need to hear about architecture, design, and urbanism today?

This is your opportunity to use your voice to shed light on a contemporary issue or tell an interesting tale about the built environment. Use the power of words in any form—from prose to poetry, to narrative or expository writing.

Tell a Story or Make a Case: Bring Unheard Perspectives into Popular Discourse. 

Category 1—Tell A Story
Shape a world with words, make it vivid, and leave an impression.


Word Limit: 600-1000 words

For creative or literary pieces that explore space and design through narrative-based writing.


What fits:


- Poetic/literary writing


- Personal essays/everyday stories


- Creative non-fiction/fiction

Judging Criteria:


1. Relevance: Is the theme pertinent to contemporary issues? Does it respond well to the brief? Bonus points if the subject is rooted in the Global South.


2. Clarity and Cohesion: Is the piece compelling and well-structured? Does the piece have a satisfying narrative arc?


3. Creativity and Personal Voice: How imaginatively does the piece express ideas? Is the writer's voice distinct, engaging, and memorable?


4. Impact: Does the piece offer fresh perspectives on the built environment? Could it influence thinking or contribute meaningfully to the field?

Category 2—Make a Case
Build an argument, back it up, and make your perspective matter.


Word Limit: 600-1200 words

 For essays based on reportage, observation, structured argument, and/or analysis.
 What fits:


- Evidence-based critique or review


- Analytical essays drawing from research, history, or precedent


- Hypothesis-based writing that explores a claim or question

Judging Criteria:


1. Relevance: Is the theme pertinent to contemporary issues? Does it respond well to the brief? Bonus points if the subject is rooted in the Global South.


2. Clarity and Cohesion: Does the piece follow a clear structure and present an argument coherently, even when explaining complex ideas?


3. Evidence, Argument, and Insight: How originally and effectively does the piece draw on fieldwork, sources or case studies? Does it offer unique and compelling analysis, critique and insight?


4. Impact: Does the piece offer fresh perspectives on the built environment? Could it influence thinking or contribute meaningfully to the field?

Eligibility:


- The competition is open to all individuals aged 18 to 40.


- All submissions must be in the English language.


- All entries must be original and unpublished works.


- Participants are allowed to make only one entry per category.


- Current employees of Epistle are ineligible to participate.


- AI Use: The Epistle Writing Prize is designed to celebrate original writing and human creativity. AI tools may be used for research, structuring ideas, or grammar checks, but AI-generated text must not appear verbatim in the final submission. Entries whose writing is found to rely excessively on AI may be disqualified.

Judges:


- Jan Henderson, Editor at Indesign Media Asia Pacific


- Biju Kuriakose, Co-founder at architectureRED


- Rohan Shivkumar, Architect, Filmmaker, and Academician


- Stefan Novakovic, Senior Editor at Azure Magazine


- Smruti Koppikar, Founder-Editor at Question of Cities

Prizes:


One winner and one honourable mention will be awarded in each category.

Winners receive:


- Prize money of Rs 40,000/-


- Publication in an anthology by Epistle


- A chance to get published on ArchDaily and similar leading digital platforms


- A selection of books, including Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino and The Penguin Book of Poems on the Indian City


- Amplification through Epistle's social media channels

Honourable mentions will receive:


- Prize money of Rs 15,000/-


- Publication in an anthology by Epistle


- A chance to get published on ArchDaily and similar leading digital platforms


- A selection of books, including Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino and The Penguin Book of Poems on the Indian City


- Amplification through Epistle's social media channels

Deadline: November 5, 2025

Fill the form to submit. Read more about the competition from here. 

The top image in the article courtesy of Epistle.

> via Epistle

architecture competition