The Students Apartment: A two-bedroom Unit in the Historic Centre of Pavia

TerraViva Competitions tarafından düzenlenen "The Students Apartment: A two-bedroom Unit in the Historic Centre of Pavia" başlıklı yarışma için 6 Kasım 2026 tarihine kadar başvuru yapılabiliyor.

Intro

Situated in the heart of the Po Valley, just south of Milan and crossed by the Ticino River, Pavia is a city where history, culture and everyday life intertwine with remarkable balance. Famous for its medieval towers, elegant porticoes and cobblestone streets, it preserves the characteristic layout of an ancient Roman settlement.

From the iconic Covered Bridge to the monumental Cathedral – crowned by Italy’s third largest dome – Pavia offers a timeless atmosphere where traces of the past remain deeply embedded within the urban fabric. Yet beyond its historic identity, the city is also a dynamic and constantly evolving place. Cafés filled with students, bicycles moving through narrow streets and lively public spaces give rhythm to social life, transforming this location into one of the most vibrant university hubs in Lombardy.

Despite its relatively compact dimensions, the town hosts a remarkably dynamic environment, attracting thousands of students and researchers every year thanks to its prestigious academic institutions.

The coexistence of a long-established local community and an ever-changing student population generates a unique urban energy: a city rooted in tradition, yet continuously renewed by the ambitions, cultures and lifestyles of younger generations.

The Competition

Architects and designers are invited to rethink the identity of this traditional apartment, transforming it into a high-quality living space tailored to the needs of university students.

The challenge goes far beyond a simple interior renovation. Participants are encouraged to question how undergraduates live today and how domestic spaces can support increasingly hybrid routines composed of studying, relaxing, gathering, working and sharing experiences.

Could a compact apartment simultaneously provide privacy and social interaction? How flexible should a living space become in order to adapt to the unpredictability of student life? Can furniture, layouts and interior atmospheres actively influence wellbeing, productivity and relationships?

The main goal is to redesign and refurbish the interiors of the unit, imagining new configurations capable of maximising functionality, comfort and identity.

At the same time, the balance between common and private dimensions will play a crucial role within the proposal. Spaces for concentration and individual study should coexist naturally with areas dedicated to socialising, shared meals or resting moments.

Flexible environments may become essential not only for everyday life, but also for hosting friends, organising group study sessions or accommodating guests after long nights of exam preparation.

More than simply designing a student apartment, participants are invited to imagine a new way of living university life through architecture and interior design.

The Project

The flat should be designed to comfortably accommodate two or three students maximum. Within the existing space, the main challenge will consist in creating an interior design proposal capable of being both highly functional and visually distinctive.

Furniture will play a fundamental role throughout the project, not only in defining the aesthetic identity of the proposal, but also in supporting the flexibility and efficiency
of the spaces. Storage systems, multifunctional elements, adaptable furniture and bespoke solutions may become key tools to optimise daily life.

Both radical and more conservative approaches will be equally appreciated, provided they are supported by a clear and articulate concept. Participants are encouraged to experiment with materials, colours, textures and spatial solutions capable of giving the unit a strong and recognisable character.

The project should not simply solve practical needs, but also create an inspiring environment for young people living one of the most defining phases of their lives.

How would your ideal student apartment look? Where would you store books accumulated during years of study? Where would you store food brought from your parents’ home? How could luggage, sports equipment or temporary guests find room within the interior space?

Every design decision should contribute to shaping an atmosphere that feels dynamic, contemporary and authentic. The unit should become more than a place to sleep: a domestic environment where students can meet, study, cook, work, rest and celebrate everyday moments together.

Creativity and practicality must coexist naturally, transforming this overlooked apartment into a vibrant home capable of reflecting the ambitions, lifestyles and energy of a new generation!

Prizes

1° Prize: 3.000 €

2° Prize: 2.000 €

3° Prize: 1.000 €

5 Golden Mentions: coupon for a free membership

10 Honorable Mentions: coupon for a free competition

30 Finalists: published on Terraviva channels

Calendar

“Early” registrations: 19.05.2026 — 04.09.2026 (h 3:00 pm CET)

“Standard” registrations: 04.09.2026 — 16.10.2026 (h 3:00 pm CET)

“Late” registrations: 16.10.2026 — 06.112026 (h 3:00 pm CET)

Submission deadline: 06.11.2026 (h 3:00 pm CET)

Winners announcement: 09.12.2026 (h 12:00 pm CET)

Jury

• Matías Román Basualto [Santiago, Chile] | Román y Basualto Arquitectos

• Derya Akdeniz Durmaz [Istanbul, Turkey] | Two Dots Design

• Pietro Antonioni [Milan/Rimini, Italy] | Pietro Antonioni Architetto

• Valeryia Haletskaya [New York, USA] | Heather Young Architects

• Adolfo Schlieper [Rosario/Santa Fe, Argentina] | Adolfo Schlieper Arquitectos

• Daria Yang Du [Los Angeles, USA] | RIOS

• Luan Fontes [New York, USA] | SOM

• Kiranraj SIva Kumar [Chicago, USA] | Nathan Michael Design

Arkitera takipçilerine özel, “The Students Apartment: A two-bedroom Unit in the Historic Centre of Pavia” yarışmasında geçerli özel %20 indirim kodu: TSA20XARKITERA