Launch of Vancouver Tall ideas competition

Vancouver is having an important conversation about updating our Higher Building’s Policy, and we invite you to be part of it. Through the Vancouver Tall Challenge, we are seeking innovative thinking and inspiring ideas from architects, designers, and urban thinkers around the world to help explore how tall buildings in specific locations downtown can contribute positively to our city.

How can we harness the possibilities of building tall while protecting the qualities that make Vancouver special? This ideas competition is an opportunity to explore bold, made-for-Vancouver approaches that enhance our city without compromising what matters most to the people who call it home.

Why are we doing this?

This competition forms part of the City of Vancouver’s ongoing Higher Buildings Policy Review, which is exploring the future role of tall buildings in shaping downtown growth, public life, and urban identity. Ideas and findings generated through the competition may help inform future design principles, public engagement initiatives, and policy discussions related to Vancouver’s evolving approach to height and urban growth.

How to Apply

The competition will run until November 30, 2026, with the winner being announced in January 2027. Registration and submission of competition entries will be managed through our competition platform partner, Buildner.

To register, access the competition brief, review the jury, and submit your entry, please visit: https://architecturecompetitions.com/vancouvertallchallenge/

All formal submissions must be completed through the competition platform. The ideas competition is open to all and no professional qualification is required. There is a fee for entry and teams of up to four individuals may submit. A total of $15,000 CAD in prize money will be awarded.

For those who would like to share an idea without submitting a formal competition entry, concepts may be sent to higherbuildings@vancouver.ca for review by City staff. Options may include a sketch, poem, video, or other creative ideas to inform what a Made-for-Vancouver approach might look like. Select submissions may be featured on the City's website following the close of the competition.