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This year FGC calls participants to envision a passenger drone terminal for the year 2125. All students and recent graduates are welcome to join  this journey of creativity.  Together, we will help shape the future of airport terminal design. ​

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Fentress Global Challenge (FGC) is an international student design competition.  Since its inception in 2011, entries from more than 160 countries have competed for top honors.  FGC represents an extraordinary exploration into the future of architecture and transportation, and in so doing, continues to advance the pursuit of innovative design.  

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ELIGIBILITY

 

FGC is open to graduate and undergraduate students currently pursuing architecture or engineering degrees in an accredited university program, as well as recent graduates (within the last four years) with a degree in architecture or engineering.  Current students must provide proof of active enrollment status: a scanned copy of their student ID and current course schedule.  Recent graduates must provide a scanned copy of their diploma.

 

Participants may submit solo or as a team of not more than three individuals.  In the case of team submissions, awards will be split evenly among team members.  Participants are encouraged to choose the format that best aligns with their vision and design goals.

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GUIDELINES

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Design Guidelines

The design challenge is to envision a passenger drone terminal in the year 2125.  Participants are encouraged to utilize forecasts for population, environmental conditions, potential destinations, and more as they develop a design for this new airport terminal concept. Designs must:​

  • Improve at least one primary factor influencing current airport terminal design such as mobility, urbanization, globalization, technology, flexibility, security, project feasibility, and passenger experience.​​​

  • Achieve sustainability and resiliency. Sustainable design is the creation of places that are environmentally responsible, healthy, equitable, and profitable. Resilient design can adapt to changing conditions, as well as maintain or regain functionality in the face of natural and human-made disasters.

  • Employ Fentress Architects’ third Touchstone of Design: Use Context to Create Identity. “Context is more than an intellectual consideration of the history or physical appearance of a neighborhood, city, or state, and it’s more than the way new will live with old. Context draws on the senses, the sights, smells and memories that define a place and make it unique. Context grows from community, and people respond to it.” More information about Fentress Architects’ Eight Touchstones of Design is available here: https://fentressarchitects.com/design-philosophy

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​Site Guidelines

Participants must choose one of two site options:​

  • Option 1:  Establish the new terminal at an existing airport. Participants have the flexibility to select any airport of their choice. Examples include: ​

    • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL)

    • St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)

    • Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK)

    • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

    • Dubai International Airport (DXB)

    • Tokyo-Haneda International Airport (HND)

    • Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

    • London Heathrow (LHR)

    • Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG)

    • Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG)

    • Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)

    • Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)

    • Incheon International Airport (ICN)

  • Option 2:  Site the new terminal at a location of your choice where an airport does not yet exist. Participants are encouraged to consider sites where an airport could serve as a catalyst for economic and social development.

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​Material Guidelines

Participants must use clear, concise language to convey ideas, key points, and design solutions. Photographs, diagrams, renderings, animations, collages or other visualizations are encouraged to help explain the concept. Please label all graphics. See below for detailed Submission Requirements.

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​Grounds for Disqualification

Plagiarism and cheating will result in immediate disqualification.

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EVALUATION CRITERIA

 

Creative Approach + Presentation

The design approach is innovative and inspiring.  Both the concept and design solution are presented through unique and compelling graphics.

 

Response to Site

The design honors the physical attributes of the site’s context and culture.  The overall design strategy matches the global and local demographic requirements of the location.  Again, use context to create identity.

 

Sustainability + Resiliency

The design minimizes negative impacts to the wellbeing of humans and the natural environment.  The overall design strategy also addresses vulnerabilities related to natural and humanmade disasters.

 

Functionality

The planning for building organization and operations is clearly expressed and appropriate.  The design solution is well-defined and well-articulated through the structural, technical, and constructible rationale.

 

Innovation + Technology

The design envisions the advancement of aviation and technology with innovations that improve building performance and passenger experience, such as efficiency, safety, comfort, health and wellbeing, sustainability and resiliency, amenities and entertainment, cost savings, and more.

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AWARDS

1st Place: US $10,000

2nd PlaceUS $3,000

3rd PlaceUS $2,000

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COMPETITION SCHEDULE​

Competition Announcement: May 2025

Design Submission Deadline: January 2026

Shortlist Announcement: February 2026

Winners Announcement: March 2026

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SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Participants must register and upload competition materials to their profile page at www.fentressglobalchallenge.com no later than Sunday, January 4, 2026 (23:00 GMT).

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Mandatory Formatting
  • Official language is English

  • Official system of measurements is United States customary units 

  • File must be saved as a PDF and named as follows: “2024_team name_design concept name.pdf”

  • File must contain no more than: Eight (8) single-sided, tabloid (11-inch x 17-inch), landscape-oriented pages

  • File size must not exceed 100MB

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Mandatory Content
  • Title of design concept

  • Description of design concept (400-700-word maximum)

  • Profile of entrant (individual or team)

  • Supporting images to include diagrams, plans, sections, and/or perspectives

  • In a separate PDF, current students must provide a scanned copy of their student ID and current course schedule. Recent graduates must provide a scanned copy of their diploma.​

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JURY

 

FGC entries will be judged in two stages. A first-round jury will establish a shortlist of design concepts, from which a final jury of distinguished experts will select the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Award Winners. Members of the final jury will be announced in October, and may include airport directors, futurists, behavioralists, sustainability and resiliency experts, airport architects, and Fentress Fellows.​

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RULES + REGULATIONS 

​Acceptance of Terms + Conditions​

By participating in Fentress Global Challenge (FGC), participants agree to abide by all guidelines, requirements, rules and regulations related to the competition.  Participants are encouraged to carefully review these to ensure compliance with all FGC terms and conditions.

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  1. Entry Submission. No changes are permitted to an entry after submission, except with explicit approval from Fentress Architects.

  2. Intellectual Property. Participants affirm that all materials submitted are their original work and do not infringe upon the intellectual property rights of any third party.  Fentress Architects is not liable for any infringement, and participants indemnify Fentress Architects against third-party claims.  Plagiarism and cheating will result in disqualification.

  3. Usage Rights. Participants grant Fentress Architects and competition sponsors non-exclusive reproduction rights for advertising, promotion, exhibition, print publication, and internet purposes related to the competition.  Fentress Architects is not responsible for unauthorized use by third parties.

  4. Media Approval. All published and online media, related to the FGC must be reviewed and approved by Fentress Architects.

  5. Prize Terms. Winners may not transfer, assign, or substitute prizes. 

  6. Personal Data Processing. Entrants acknowledge that personal data may be processed, shared, and used for contest-related purposes.  Participants can access, review, rectify, or cancel personal data by contacting Fentress Architects.

  7. Validation + Disqualification. Fentress Architects has the right to verify the validity and originality of entries and entrants, disqualifying any entry not in accordance with the rules. Failure to enforce rights at any stage does not waive those rights.

  8. Rule Changes:  FGC rules and regulations are subject to change without notice.

  9. Contest Integrity:  If the contest is disrupted due to factors beyond Fentress Architects' control, including computer viruses, tampering, or technical failures, Fentress Architects may disqualify individuals tampering with the process or modify, cancel, terminate, or suspend the contest.

  10. Online Voting. In order to maintain fair competition, the use of click farms on the People's Choice Awards voting platforms is strictly prohibited.

  11. Legal Jurisdiction. Any claims related to participation in the competition must be brought in Denver, Colorado, USA, and will be governed by the laws of the State of Colorado. The contest is void where prohibited. ​​

SIGN UP

Click below to create your profile page and upload your submission
for the 2026 Fentress Global Challenge!

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