2026 Design Brief
The Lightweight Structures Association of Australasia (LSAA), founded at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in 1981, has played a leading role in advancing research and practice in lightweight structures across Australasia. Since its inception, LSAA conferences have been hosted by leading institutions including Monash University, Swinburne University of Technology, and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
In 2026, RMIT University, the University of Melbourne, and Swinburne University of Technology will jointly host the LSAA 2026 Student Design Competition.
Note: July 25 2026 - Jury Panel Appointed to review and comment on the entries.
Prof Philip F. Yuan, Dean, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University
Mr Greg Gong, Director, Denton Corker Marshall
Mr John McNeil, Bridge Design Expert, Modus Forma
Key Dates:
- Registration opens: 23 March 2026
- Registration closes: 23 April 2026
- Submission deadline: 23 June 2026 (23:59 AEST)
Registration via email:
Competition Overview
This competition is open to small teams of students currently enrolled in tertiary institutions.
Participants are invited to develop a conceptual design proposal that embodies the principles of lightweight structures, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, structural performance, and responses to contemporary social and climate challenges.
The competition will broadly explore the relationship between structure, form, and architectural expression, encouraging participants to investigate how structure itself can become architecture.
The competition draws inspiration from architect-engineers such as Santiago Calatrava, Frei Otto, Pier Luigi Nervi, Félix Candela, and Heinz Isler, whose work demonstrates how structural systems can generate form, space, and architectural identity.
Site, location, and context
The project site should be located within an urban or landscape setting in Australia. Participants may select an appropriate context where a pedestrian bridge (footbridge) is required to connect two points across an urban street, water body, landscape feature, or public space.
The bridge is conceived as a stand-alone lightweight structure, providing an opportunity to explore innovative structural systems and spatial experiences. The proposal should respond to the surrounding context, urban conditions, and pedestrian movement while demonstrating architectural expression and structural efficiency.
The bridge should function not only as infrastructure but also as an architectural landmark, creating a meaningful spatial experience for users and contributing positively to its urban or landscape context.
Project Parameters
Participants are required to design a pedestrian bridge demonstrating innovation in lightweight structural systems, computational design and environmental responsiveness
Typical parameters include:
- Span: 20–25 metres
- Width: 3–4 metres
- Clearance: sufficient for circulation or infrastructure beneath
- Structure: lightweight and structurally efficient
Structural systems may include form-active systems, vector-active systems, section-active systems, surface-active systems, and hybrid systems.
There are no restrictions on materials, including steel, timber, concrete, carbon fibre composites, and hybrid material systems.
Designs should also consider basic safety aspects of pedestrian bridges, such as fall prevention and user protection, while maintaining design creativity and architectural expression.
Computational Design and Structural Optimisation
Core Principle: In this competition, computation is understood not merely as a digital tool, but as a way of thinking through form, force, and material behaviour. Projects must demonstrate the integration of computational thinking to explore structural performance and optimisation.
- Develop parametric design models to generate structural geometry (e.g., Ameba, PolyFrame)
- Evaluate structural performance using Karamba3D or similar structural simulation tools
- Investigate structural efficiency through optimisation and iterative design processes
Physical Computational Approaches (Equally Valid Pathway)
To ensure accessibility across different levels of experience, physical model-based approaches are equally valid and strongly encouraged. Participants may explore simplified form-finding and structural systems using: Hanging chain or fabric models; Soap film and minimal surface experiments; Particle or sand models; Active bending systems; Iterative physical prototyping.
Students using physical models should demonstrate computational thinking through:
- Systematic variation (changing one parameter at a time across multiple models)
- Quantified comparison (measuring and comparing performance metrics such as load capacity, material efficiency, span-to-depth ratio)
- Data-driven iteration (using test results to inform design decisions)
- Process documentation (clear workflow showing hypothesis, test, analysis, refinement)
- Mathematical analysis (even basic calculations to demonstrate computational logic).
The aim is to integrate architectural form, structural behaviour, and fabrication logic through computational design workflows, whether executed digitally, physically, or through hybrid methods. The emphasis is on systematic exploration, measurable performance evaluation, and iterative optimisation.
Design Objectives
The design should be aimed at:
- Create a memorable architectural structure that enhances pedestrian experience
- Demonstrate structural efficiency and the principles of lightweight design
- Integrate environmental strategies that respond to climate and site conditions
- Explore innovative materials, fabrication methods, and simple construction strategies
The bridge should be conceived not only as infrastructure but also as an architectural landmark, providing safety, comfort, and spatial quality for pedestrians.
Competition Design Criteria
1. Design Innovation and Spatial Experience
The proposal should demonstrate a visually compelling and architecturally engaging bridge design. Projects should explore innovative geometry, spatial quality, and a strong architectural identity while enhancing the pedestrian experience.
2. Structural Performance and Lightweight Systems
The design should demonstrate clear structural logic and efficiency. Participants should explore lightweight structural systems while addressing structural behaviour, including load paths, stiffness, and deflection control.
3. Material Innovation and Sustainability
Proposals should investigate low-carbon and sustainable materials, including recyclable or bio-based materials where appropriate. Designs should consider embodied carbon reduction and long-term environmental performance.
4. Environmental Responsiveness
The bridge design should respond to environmental conditions such as sunlight, wind, rainfall, and local microclimate. Passive strategies for shading, ventilation, and user comfort are encouraged.
5. Feasibility and Constructability
Projects should demonstrate feasible construction strategies and fabrication logic. Consideration may include prefabrication, modular assembly, digital fabrication, 3D printing or efficient on-site construction methods.
Model and Representation Requirements
Participants must produce the following:
- A 1:20 physical model, either 3D printed or fabricated using manual or digital fabrication methods
- Architectural drawings illustrating the structural logic and spatial experience of the bridge
- Diagrams explaining the computational design and optimisation process
- Visualisations demonstrate the bridge within its site context
Submissions should clearly communicate the design concept, structural system, and fabrication strategy.
Evaluation Criteria
NOTE: Each criterion carries equal weight in evaluation. Projects will be evaluated holistically based on the following criteria:
Design Quality and Response to the Brief
Creativity and innovation in interpreting the brief, spatial quality of the design, and clarity of architectural intent.
Depth of investigation: Structural Resolution and Relevance to Lightweight Structures
Clear structural logic and innovation in lightweight structural systems, including geometry, load paths, and optimisation strategies. Integration of environmental design principles and sustainable material strategies. Overall rigor in detailing, exploration of structural, material, and environmental performance. Clarity of fabrication and assembly logic.
Methodology, Representation and Communication
Appropriate use of computational workflows (digital or physical) to drive design decisions. Clarity and coherence of drawings, diagrams, models, and visualisations in communicating the design proposal.
Application
Eligibility
The competition is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students (excluding PhD candidates) currently enrolled in tertiary institutions. Teams must consist of a minimum of two and a maximum of four members. Participants may come from disciplines such as art, architecture, landscape architecture, design, engineering, or other creatively oriented programs. Collaborative and interdisciplinary teams are strongly encouraged. There is no entry fee.
Each team must nominate one corresponding member, who will be responsible for registration, submission, and all communication with the LSAA committee. Participants are required to register using their university affiliation details. Upon successful registration, each team will receive a confirmation email.
Competition results will be announced approximately three weeks after the submission deadline.
Registered teams must submit their projects no later than: 23 June 2026, 23:59 (AEST)
Submissions should be sent via WeTransfer to:
Please ensure that the team’s name is clearly included in the WeTransfer title.
The three shortlisted projects will be exhibited. Shortlisted teams will be invited to present their projects at a venue to be confirmed (TBC).
Awards:
- 1st place 50%
- 2nd place 30%
- 3rd place 20%
- Special Mention
Submission requirements: Students are required to submit their work as TWO separate A1 panels (portrait orientation), each as an individual PDF file.
Each panel must be clearly composed of a self-contained, non-overlapping layout. No drawings, text, or images should span across the two panels. Each panel should be readable independently, as judges may review them separately.
ONLY the two A1 panel PDF files will be provided to the jury for evaluation.
The panels should include the following:
- Site plan (1:500) showing the bridge context and connections
- Bridge plans, sections, and elevations (1:100)
- Structural and construction details (1:20–1:10)
- 3D views and renderings
- Structural and computational design diagrams (e.g., parametric workflows and Karamba analysis)
- Design statement explaining the concept and design process
- Photographs of a 1:20 physical prototype
- Rhino model (3DM)
The files should be named using the following format:
UniversityName_TeamName_Panel1.pdf; UniversityName_TeamName_Panel2.pdf
Optional Supplementary Material (for exhibition and promotion purposes only):
Participants may optionally submit additional materials in a separate folder, including:
- Individual images (JPEG/PNG)
- Diagrams
- Renderings
- Short descriptions
These materials will NOT be used for judging but may be used by LSAA for exhibitions, publications, and promotional purposes.
Presentation Format
The three shortlisted teams will present their projects in Pecha Kucha 20×20 format (20 slides × 20 seconds each). For international entries, participants will also be required to submit the 3DM files of their prototype models.
Jury Panel
Prof Philip F. Yuan, Dean, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University
Mr Greg Gong, Director, Denton Corker Marshall
Mr John McNeil, Bridge Design Expert, Modus Forma
Mr Peter Lim, Director, Tensys
Competition Organisers
Dr Nic Dingwen Bao, School of Architecture and Urban Design, RMIT University
Dr Sofia Colabella, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning (ABP) of The University of Melbourne.
Dr Daniel Prohasky, School of Design and Architecture, Swinburne University of Technology