A new architectural competition has been announced to honor the memory of renowned Catalan architect Enric Miralles, who passed away 25 years ago on July 3, 2000. The competition, titled 'A House for Enric Miralles,' invites architects worldwide to submit design proposals that capture the essence and innovative spirit of one of the late 20th century's most influential architects.

Organized jointly by ICARCH and the Fundació Enric Miralles, the competition seeks to celebrate Miralles' remarkable architectural legacy and his unique approach to design. Despite his untimely death at the age of 45, Miralles left an indelible mark on contemporary architecture through his emotionally-driven, existentialist approach to building design. His work was characterized by fragmentation that seemed to emerge from an 'inner center,' distinguishing him from purely deconstructivist movements of his era.

The competition organizers describe Miralles as an architect who operated in what Paul Klee called the 'crepuscular valley' - the space between those who don't know that they don't know (animals) and those who know that they know (gods). Miralles, they suggest, was among those who 'knew that he didn't know,' which fueled his ardent curiosity and deep love of books and learning. This philosophical approach informed his architecture, which could be described as existentialist in nature - sometimes melancholic, sometimes anxious, but always rich with meaning.

The competition announcement emphasizes that art transcends death, perhaps serving as its main purpose, and architecture for Miralles was indeed an art form that embraced emotions deeply. The organizers note that while film director Ingmar Bergman once observed that we are all illiterates in the field of emotions, Miralles may have been less illiterate than most, channeling his emotional intelligence into his architectural works.

Participants are required to submit their work digitally by December 21, 2025, presenting their designs on two A1-sized posters oriented vertically. All submissions will be published on the competition website, and the most outstanding proposals will be featured in a traveling exhibition scheduled for 2026. The exhibition will tour in a specially designed van during the year when Barcelona will serve as the World Capital of Architecture and host the UIA 2026 World Congress of Architects.

Registration for the competition must be completed by December 1, 2025, and interested architects can register by contacting info@icarch.us. The competition is free to enter, making it accessible to emerging and established architects alike. Jury members for the competition will be announced at a later date, and participants with questions are encouraged to reach out to the organizing committee.

The timing of this competition is particularly significant as it coincides with Barcelona's designation as the World Capital of Architecture in 2026. This recognition underscores the city's continued importance as a hub of architectural innovation, a legacy that Miralles himself contributed to during his influential but tragically brief career. The competition serves not only as a memorial to Miralles but also as a call for contemporary architects to engage with the deeper meaning and emotional resonance that the organizers believe is often lacking in today's architectural discourse.