The upcoming deadline is for “Design Your Room”: registration and submission of entries close on Thursday, July 30, 2026at 2:00 p.m. Meanwhile, the Spaghetti Challenge 2026 is accepting registrations until Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Both contests are open to students currently enrolled in their 2nd or 3rd year of high school at public or private institutions in Uruguay, or in the equivalent technical high school program at UTU. Participation in “Design Your Room” is individual; in the “Spaghetti Challenge,” you can compete individually or in pairs. In both cases, guidance from a teacher is optional, and participants who are minors must submit authorization from a legal guardian.
You can design a personal space or build a structure capable of supporting bricks. Choose the challenge that interests you most, learn about the requirements, and sign up to compete for scholarships related to the Architecture degree program, the Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design , and the Architectural Projects Using BIM Methodology.
Design your room and compete for a full scholarship
Design Your Room challenges you to present the design and furnishings of a personal space intended for rest, leisure, and study.
You have until Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m..
View this post on Instagram
You can work with a real or imaginary room and present your proposal using 2D or 3D images. Various techniques are acceptable, such as sketches, perspective drawings, digital media, photographs of models, photo retouching, and 2D graphics, among others.
Participation is individual and may include optional guidance from an instructor. Participants who are minors must submit authorization from a legal guardian to complete their registration.
Imagine, design, and present your proposal
The jury will evaluate each project's creativity, its ability to explore innovative ideas, and the functionality of the designed space.
The proposal should strike a balance between these three criteria: creating an original and inspiring environment that also meets the day-to-day needs of a college student.
During the drafting process, participants may direct questions to Santiago Romero, Esq., and Paula Tais, Esq., the contest advisors.
"Design Your Room" Awards 2026
The author of the project that wins first place will receive a 100% scholarship to pursue a Architecture degree program or the Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design at the School of Architecture.
The following will also be awarded:
- Two 50% scholarships to pursue one of these degree programs
- Six 100% scholarships to take the course Architectural Projects Using BIM Methodology, awarded to the authors of the six selected projects
- A 50% scholarship for the teacher who refers the winning student to pursue a certificate program offered by the Institute of Education at Universidad ORT Uruguay
For the 2025 edition, 112 projects from students at various educational institutions in Uruguay.
Registration and Project Submission
Submissions will be accepted only in electronic format until Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 2:00 p.m..
The files must not contain the participant's name and must be identified solely by the project name.
Before you begin, review the rules for "Design Your Room 2026", where you’ll find the eligibility requirements, judging criteria, and instructions for submitting your entry.
Sign Up for "Design Your Room"
Spaghetti Challenge: Build the Most Efficient Structure
The Spaghetti Challenge aims to learning and applying the concept of structural efficiency through a construction challenge.
You can register until Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m..
View this post on Instagram
The challenge is to build a structure capable of supporting the weight of several bricks at a minimum height of 40 cm above its base. The most efficient structure will be the one that achieves the best ratio between its own weight and the maximum load it supports.
Build, experiment, and put your idea to the test
To build the structure, , dry pasta with a hollow circular cross-section, such as bucatini, and .
The structure must rest—without adhering to it—on a rigid base measuring 40 × 40 cm that allows it to be transported safely. Furthermore, it must not weigh more than 250 g.
Participants may enter individual or in pairs and allows for optional guidance from a teacher. Participants who are minors must attach authorization from a legal guardian to complete their registration.
Check out the rules for the Spaghetti Challenge 2026 before you begin: they detail the approved materials, technical restrictions, and contest conditions.
2026 Spaghetti Challenge Awards
The awards will be presented as follows:
- First place: Each participant—or each member of the pair—will receive a scholarship covering 80% to pursue a Architecture program or the Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design, in addition to a 100% scholarship to take the course “Architectural Projects Using BIM Methodology.”
- Second place: Each participant—or each member of the pair—will receive a 50% scholarship to pursue one of the two university degree programs and a 100% scholarship for the BIM course.
- Third place: Each participant—or each member of the pair—will receive a 100% scholarship for the course Architectural Projects Using BIM Methodology.
In addition, the teacher who nominates the winning student or pair will receive a 50% scholarship to pursue a certificate program offered by the Institute of Education.
Registration and Endurance Test
Entries must be submitted on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at the Universidad ORT Uruguay School of Architecture, located at 2633 Bulevar España.
The strength tests will be conducted that same day. The jury will oversee the weighing of each structure and the gradual addition of bricks until it breaks or topples over.
The results will be published on Friday, October 30, 2026.
For the 2025 edition, 32 teams from all over Uruguay , and 16 submitted their structures for the endurance test. Meet the winners of the 2025 Spaghetti Challenge.
- You might also want to read: “5 Reasons to Enter and Compete in an Architecture Competition”
Choose your challenge and sign up to compete for a scholarship
Design Your Room and Spaghetti Challenge let you explore two different challenges: designing a personal space or experimenting with the efficiency of a structure.
Check the rules, choose the option that best suits your interests, and fill out the registration form.
Challenge your ideas, put your skills to the test, and apply for a scholarship to study at the School of Architecture at Universidad ORT Uruguay.