Competitions
Competition is our laboratory: It’s where we test ideas, materials, and typologies before they’re built—and where we take on the challenges that help us grow.
For us, architectural competitions are not a side project, but a philosophy: Those who put themselves to the test must find the best response to a site—not the easiest one. Our competition department, established in collaboration with a civil engineer, develops entries for open and invited competitions, ranging from individual buildings to urban neighborhoods. The insights gained from these efforts flow directly back into our projects: experimental materials, new forms of living, and the power of existing structures. What emerges from these competitions makes each of our buildings better.
Residential complex in Wels, 2026—four structures made of solid-colored concrete that form a shared courtyard.
Kunstmühle Vöcklabruck Neighborhood, 2025 – A wood-concrete hybrid with green facades and a public riverside park along the Vöckla.
Haimingerberg Preschool and Elementary School, 2023—a building that can grow to meet the needs of the school.
How We Work
Understanding Processes
Competition details, location, jury, guidelines: We thoroughly analyze the assignment before putting pen to paper.
Concept & Design
As a team, we develop an urban and architectural response to the site—with the courage to experiment that a competition both allows and requires.
Model, Plan & Visualization
From physical models to plans to visualizations, we create a presentation that conveys the idea at a glance—we build our models ourselves in our in-house model-making workshop, either by hand or using our 3D printer.
Project-Based Partnerships
For projects that require a civil engineer’s license, we collaborate with civil engineers on a project-by-project basis—a well-established partnership that combines eligibility and quality.
From Competition to Project
Once the contract is awarded, we continue to provide seamless support for the project—offering architecture, construction management, and all other services under one roof.
Why SNOW
Competition as a driving force.
Since 2022, we have had our own, separate competition department—because comparing ourselves to and collaborating with civil engineers helps us continuously improve.
A well-established ZT partnership.
Through our project-based collaboration with our civil engineering partner, we are also eligible to participate in projects requiring a civil engineer.
From the first prototype to delivery.
If the proposal wins, the team will remain the same: SNOW handles the design, construction planning, andsite supervision all under one roof.
Frequently Asked Questions
In which procedures does SNOW participate?
Can we invite SNOW to a scheduled hearing?
How do you handle eligibility requirements for mandatory ZT?
What happens to contest entries that don't win?
Let's talk about your case
Are you planning a competition or putting together the list of participants for an invited competition? We’re delighted to have been invited—and we’ll respond with a proposal that takes the site and the design brief seriously.