Registration Deadline: Aug 23, 2025; Submission Deadline: Aug 30, 2025
1. Competition Overview
The Magnum Opus Resort Design Competition is an international call for visionary architects to propose a concept for a 6–8 room luxury boutique hotel located on 8 acres of pristine land on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
This retreat will never be rented by the room. It will be booked as an entire sanctuary: a private oasis for unforgettable group experiences. The design must inspire awe, win awards, and speak a language of timeless simplicity and brilliance—without excessive cost.
You have a unique to design a property for one of the most spectacular pieces of land in the world.
Please watch the video link https://vimeo.com/1102382095
Contour Lines – DWG file here… https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi…
Contour Lines – PDF file here… https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi…
Extraordinary applicants only. We don’t do ordinary.
2. Eligibility This competition is open to architects, designers, and firms from any country. Both individuals and teams may enter. There are NO restrictions on nationality, age, or professional affiliation. We honor brilliance. If you are both smart and hardworking, please apply. If not…..don’t.
3. Competition Format
The competition will be conducted in three stages:
Stage 1: Registration – Saturday, August 23rd 2025 10:00 PM ET
Stage 2: Concept Submission – Saturday, August 30th, 2025 10:00 PM ET
Selected finalists will be invited to submit not less than:
- Concept sketches / massing diagrams
- Narrative description of the design intent
- Images, collages, or mood board
The selected finalist will receive a $2,000 USD upon timely and complete submission.
Stage 2: Final Selection – Tuesday, September 9th 12:00 Noon ET.
Following review of concept designs and interviews, one architect or team will be awarded the opportunity for design commission subject to both parties mutual agreement for a professional services contract.
4. Deliverables and Deadlines
All deliverables must be submitted electronically by the specified deadlines in the competition brief. Late submissions may be disqualified.
5. Confidentiality
All submissions will be treated confidentially during the selection process. Participants agree not to publicly disclose their submission prior to the official winner announcement without written permission from the Client.
6. Judging Criteria
Entries will be judged based on the following:
- Architectural originality and vision
- Integration with the natural surroundings
- Conceptual clarity and design language
- Cost-awareness and construction feasibility
- Alignment with project goals and user experience
The Client reserves the right to consult external experts, remain sole decision-maker, and not award any winner if submissions are deemed unsatisfactory.
7. Legal and Miscellaneous
By submitting to this competition, participants acknowledge and accept these Terms & Conditions: 1) the Client reserves the right to update or modify these terms at any time, provided all participants are notified in writing, and 2) this competition does not constitute a legal offer of employment or a binding design contract, and 3) any final design work to be subject to mutually agreed professional services contract, and 4) architect agrees that all designs, drawings, models, and related materials submitted for this project shall be considered a ‘work made for hire’ to the extent permissible by law. To the extent such works are not considered ‘works made for hire,’ Architect hereby assigns to Client all right, title, and interest in and to the work product and associated intellectual property, including copyright.