One of the most iconic selection tools for architecture and urban planning projects in Brazil is the design competition. Firmly established in the country's architectural culture, they provide, on the one hand, an environment of stimulation, opportunity, and revitalization for both practice and the debate of ideas—an important condition for reaffirming a democratic and horizontal approach to choosing winning proposals. On the other hand, they are the subject of heated debate due to how they have evolved, their evaluation methods, and, above all, because they frequently award proposals that reiterate a certain type of architecture linked to a modern formal vocabulary, neglecting proposals that seek some form of renewal of this formal imagery.
In recent years, the Institute of Architects of Brazil (IAB) has opened the discussion on competitions to a broad debate within the profession. At the IAB's São Paulo chapter (IABsp), for instance, public debates in 2018 reflected on how briefs are received by participants, the relevance of highly detailed and meticulous requirements in this phase of design, the composition of the juries, their relationship to architectural criticism, and the pathways to recognition through awards stemming from these issues. Today, amid the heightened difficulties of the pandemic, the IABsp is conducting a survey to gather professional feedback on the interest and profile of public competition participants in the country. This reveals that, even in times of uncertainty and crisis, competitions remain a subject of great importance and dedication for those who guide the ethics and values of the profession.
