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Five teams have reached the last stage of the architectural contest, that will determine who will be contracted to build the new dorms in the center of Athens. The international contest of architectural design took place in July, aiming to identify talented young designers of up to 35 years of age from around the world, and let them present their vision of the new dormitories for students. The complex will be built in the area between Kerameikos and Metaxourgio – the historic center of the city.

245 candidates from 41 countries took part in the contest called UPTO35 and five teams have won awards for their designs – two from Japan and one from the USA, Netherlands and Greece. The idea of the exercise is for the young architects to introduce designs, showing signs of creativity, originality and new ideas for urban planning, rethinking the traditional ways of social living.

The final winner will be announced in January 2010, and will be given the right to execute their project by the OLIAROS company. The condition for victory is claiming the vote of all seven members of the committee and the approval of the public. Apart from executing their project, the winning team will receive €10 000 in monetary rewards, and €30 000 in commission. The jury for the contest includes Bjarke Ingels, Andreas Kourkoulas, Marcel Meili, Iasson Tsakonas, Yoshiharu Tsukamoto, Yorgos Tzirtzilakis and Elia Zenghelis. They are all renowned names in the field of contemporary architecture and come from a diverse background. Construction company OLIAROS, is the coordinator of the contest, and also has a say in the determination of the winning team. Candidates have been asked to submit their design for a building that will host 18 people in an area of 200 sq. m., on the corner of the Maratonos street. Each member of the winning team will receive €3000 in reward, while all teams have been asked to further improve their designs by January 2010. After that date, the committee will review the projects again and decide on the winner.

All projects taking part in the contest will be shown in an open exhibition on October 1-7, and visitors will be able to submit their votes for their favorites, using their mobile phones.