This design contest challenges students from ages 7 to 17 attending schools in the CSSDM to imagine a space that can house and foster the diverse cultures and communities in their school’s surrounding neighbourhood.

Throughout the challenge, participants will be prompted to discover the fundamentals of architecture, construction, planning, and urban and social history and bring a new perspective to their built environment. Accompanied in-class by members of the CCA, students will be encouraged to reflect on their definition of community, the notion of their place in urban spaces, and the ways that architecture can express their ideas.

A jury of architects, educators, and community leaders will select winners based on a project’s originality, community impact, integration into the neighbourhood, and production quality.

Award ceremony:

23 April, 2pm–3pm: Online awards ceremony (secondary schools)

-Presentation of awards, comments from jury members, overview of winning projects.
-The link for the ceremony will be sent to registered participants two weeks prior to the date.

30 April, 10am–12pm: Awards ceremony at the CCA (primary schools)

-Presentation of projects and awards in the Paul-Desmarais Theatre.
-Visits of our current exhibitions with our Public team.

Registration for this year is now closed, but we welcome you to contact us about participating in the 2026 challenge.

Email us at public@cca.qc.ca to learn more.

This program is part of our Diverse Pasts and Near Futures initiative, made possible thanks to the support of Scotiabank.