OBEL

Introducing Systems Hack: For the 2026 focus, The OBEL Award Jury asks if architecture can operate within planetary boundaries while reshaping the networks of production, governance, and influence it depends on.⁠ ⁠ In a world shaped by accelerating climatic, political, and economic instability, architecture no longer operates in isolation. It is embedded in complex systems — infrastructure, energy, food, water, education, information — many of which are under strain or no longer fit for purpose.⁠ ⁠ Systems’ Hack calls on architects to move beyond conventional problem-solving and instead engage directly with the systems that underpin contemporary society. Not to reject them — but to expose, infiltrate, and reconfigure how they work.⁠ ⁠ Set annually by the OBEL Jury, the focus defines the conceptual framework for all OBEL activities. The 2026 OBEL Award winner, selected under this theme by the Jury will be announced in May 2026.⁠ ⁠ [Systems’] - interrelated elements forming a complex whole⁠ ⁠ [Hack] - a strategy to manipulate or transform how a system behaves⁠ ⁠ Artwork by @o_s.studio

What is OBEL Build really like?⁠ ⁠ OBEL Build is an international programme where Danish students collaborate across disciplines to tackle real-world challenges through design, architecture, and hands-on building.⁠ ⁠ We asked the people who’ve experienced it, why they applied.⁠ ⁠ Thinking of applying? Deadline is 1 June 2026. Apply via link in bio.

#Conversation | Life Supporting Systems: with Cooking Sections and Zoöp — a conversation with Alon Schwabe and Daniel Pascual Fernandez of Cooking Sections (@cookingsections ), and Zoöp (@zoop_formorelife ) founder Klaas Kuitenbrouwer (@klaas_kuitenbrouwer ), hosted by Koozarch founder Federica Zambeletti @zambesmile What would it mean for architects to consider the environment as their primary client? What if the complex requirements needed to sustain ecological diversity became the central metrics for design? Prompted by the 2026 @obelfoundation Award theme Systems’ Hack, Alon Schwabe and Daniel Pascual Fernandez of Cooking Sections enter a dialogue with Zoöp founder Klaas Kuitenbrouwer, reflecting on alternative frameworks for practice and responsibility. As part of our ongoing partnership with OBEL, this conversation expands perspectives on the 2026 theme: Systems’ Hack. Read on Koozarch at the link in bio

OBEL is proud to support CINARK with the project ‘Deserta EcoFolie – A prototype for minimum dwelling in the Atacama Desert and beyond‘. ⁠ ⁠ The project is conceived with a Whole-Life Carbon approach, focusing on modularity, prefabrication and simple systems for easy disassembly and ⁠ replacement of structural parts. ⁠ ⁠ Swipe through to learn more from Anne Beim, Head of CINARK, about the projects approach to local knowledge and collaboration ➡️⁠ ⁠ @cinark_cph ⁠ @kglakademi ⁠ @deserta_ecofolio ⁠ @pedroignacio.alonso

Looking ahead to the 2026 OBEL Award Teaching Fellowships, we invite educators to rethink how architecture taught by bringing fresh voices to academia.⁠ ⁠ A powerful example comes from a course rooted in the Pattern Language method, developed to bridge academic theory with the lived realities of Kitintale, Kampala, Uganda. Through participatory design, students worked alongside local youth, stakeholders, and city authorities to explore the social, cultural, and political dimensions of urban space in the Global South.⁠ ⁠ From field visits to community workshops and engagement with city governance, the course placed collaboration and real-world impact at its core—empowering students to co-create tangible design solutions for the community.⁠ ⁠ We spoke with the Fellow Priscilla Namwanje (@ms_prisse ) behind the course for International University of East Africa.➡️⁠

The future of the built environment is already being designed. Just not always by those in power.⁠ ⁠ Through our partnership with The World Around (@theworldaround ) and the Young Climate Prize (@youngclimateprize ), OBEL supports young practitioners who are rethinking how we design, build, and live on a changing planet.⁠ ⁠ Education and knowledge exchange is at the heart of our commitment to recognise and reward those who challenge conventions, bringing bold, innovative ideas to solve our urgent planetary challenges. We see this as an investment in the next generation shaping systemic change in architecture and beyond. To support and enable the change-makers of tomorrow. ⁠ ⁠ Applications are now open. Go to @youngclimateprize and learn more.

APPLY TODAY FOR YOUNG CLIMATE PRIZE CYCLE 03 📣 We’re beyond excited to announce the launch of a new cycle of the Young Climate Prize, a unique mentorship and academy initiative for designers, creators, innovators, and activists under 25 years of age. Applications are now open for eligible young people to submit their self-initiated, climate-focused projects for the chance to join this cycle’s cohort. The selected cohort members will be enrolled in an intensive three-month virtual program, taking place in Fall 2026. During this time, they will be paired with a mentor to help grow, develop, and accelerate their projects, and will participate in a weekly online academy led by leading voices across disciplines. The academy is designed to equip all cohort members with tools and perspectives to support both their project development and their future paths in the climate space. The Young Climate Prize is free to apply for and participate in, and applications are open to young people from any country. For more information on eligibility, submission requirements, and how to apply, please visit youngclimateprize.org. If you are ready to Change Tomorrow, Apply Today! 🗓 Deadline: June 30 🎯 Eligibility: Young climate leaders 13-25 with a self-initiated, climate-focused project 🏆 Award: mentorship, training, trip to NY 🌍 Application: global and free to enter 🔗 Learn More and Apply: #YoungClimatePrize #TheWorldAround #ClimateActivism #OpenCall #ClimateAction YouthClimate ChangeTomorrow ClimateCrisis

Selected by the OBEL Jury, the 2026 OBEL Focus - System’s Hack’ - asks if architecture can operate within planetary boundaries while reshaping the networks of production, governance, and influence it depends on?⁠ ⁠ “We hope this year’s award will highlight some of the ways that architecture can influence systems - whether working within them, or outside them, or in parallel with them - bringing about the changes we all know we need.” Says Aric Chen (@aricchen )⁠ ⁠⁠ Video by Jake Morris @jakemorrisfilm ⁠

Applications for the 2026 OBEL Award Teaching Fellowships are now open, where we invite educators and institutions to be part of shaping the future of architecture. Focused on advancing innovative teaching and addressing real-world urban challenges, the OBEL Fellowship supports new approaches that connect academia with practice, preparing the next generation to respond to climate change, social equity, and urban resilience.⁠ ⁠ As part of the 2024 cohort, Adjunct Associate Professor HY William Chan brought his expertise in urban design, climate resilience, and policymaking to the University of Technology Sydney bridging global perspectives with hands-on learning.⁠ ⁠ Read the reflections on his experience ➡️⁠ ⁠ @HYWilliamChan

OPEN CALL - OBEL Build x Atelier LUMA⁠ ⁠ OBEL Build is a new program supporting Danish students in building knowledge, network and skills. For the second edition, we once again partner with LUMA Arles and their research and design lab, Atelier LUMA.⁠ ⁠ Under the theme 'Systems’ Hack — Forage, Form, Feast', we will host a week-long immersive program in Arles exploring the relationship between our bioregional food systems and building practice amid changing weather systems.⁠ ⁠ Through hands-on experiences, students will explore, map and ideate on how the region's foodscape can shape future building economies, navigating the current risks the Camargue neighbourhoods face over this century due to climate and ecological breakdown.⁠ ⁠ Applications are due at midnight CEST 1 June 2026 via application link on the website - link in bio⁠ ⁠ @luma_arles - Atelier LUMA

“Perfection blocks any form of participation and also causes excessive consumption of resources.” ✨ - In "Form Follows Love," Anna Heringer describes her understanding of architecture as a socially driven practice 🏡 For this new book, she traveled to Bangladesh with Dutch photographer Iwan Baan 📸 to visit the buildings created there, as well as her women’s empowerment project, Dipdii Textiles. In Bangladesh, Baan created powerful images that move between documentation and art, showing what architecture can achieve when it prioritizes social benefit 🌍 This beautiful new photobook companion to "Form Follows Love" features projects such as the METI School, the DESI Center, kindergartens, and the birthing center in Hittisau 🏫 as well as new, previously unpublished photographs of Heringer’s latest work in Europe 📚 👉 Find it now via the link in our bio. #AnnaHeringer #IwanBaan #Architecture #FormFollowsLove #Bangladesh #ArchitecturePhotography #DipdiiTextiles #AgaKhanAward #AnandaloyCenter #Architektur #Architekturfotografie #ForumStMichaelTraunstein #Lehmarchitektur #Lehmbau #METISchool #ObelAward #RoSanaRosenheim #StudioAnnaHeringer

Digital systems already shape spaces invisibly. Can architecture make power, data, and control legible, negotiable, and democratically accessible?⁠ ⁠ How do we hack technology systems?⁠ ⁠ Sources:⁠ *Report Prime⁠ *OECD⁠ *UN Habitat