BIG & LIT AWARD GUIDELINES & SUBMISSION
Big & Lit Award 2026
Entry Submission Form
Theme: The Bridge That Connects
Submission Format
• Sheet Size: 50 × 70 cm (19.7 × 27.6 inches)• Anonymity: No names or identifying information on any sheet.
Submission Limits:• Elementary School: 1 sheet• High School: 1 sheet• University Students: Up to 2 sheets• All work is original, clear, and well-presented.
“A non-refundable $30 registration fee is required per project to cover administration and processing costs.”
Design Description
Students are invited to design a new community bridge that connects the north and south parts of Lonsdale Avenue, which are currently separated by Highway 1 in North Vancouver. This bridge is not just for crossing. It should become a lively public space where people can walk, bike, gather, and enjoy activities.
Designs should seamlessly connect Lonsdale (South) to Queens Avenue (North), creating an elevated structure that links the two sides of the highway from a new community centre to an urban park on the north. The bridge should include a rich variety of community-oriented programs such as cafés, restaurants, playground areas, seating zones, bike ramps, lookout points, and flexible gathering spaces.
Participants are encouraged to explore how architecture, urban design, landscape, and lighting can work together to create a safe, engaging, and vibrant destination that becomes a symbol of unity for the city. The bridge should serve not only as a crossing but as a place where people meet, interact, and experience the city in new ways.
Note: This is a conceptual design; precise dimensions are not required, as the focus is on overall ideas and spatial concepts.
Official Award Rules and Regulations
1. Anonymity of Submissions
The inclusion of any name, signature, logo, symbol, initials, identifying mark (including “X” or any comparable indicator), or any information that may directly or indirectly reveal the identity of the author, design team, or participant, is strictly prohibited. Any submission containing identifying information on presentation boards, drawings, images, digital files, or embedded metadata will be disqualified during the preliminary review phase, without further evaluation.
2. Completeness and Compliance of Submission Materials
Participants must submit all required materials in accordance with the competition brief and submission guidelines. Entries that are incomplete, unclear, or fail to comply with the stated requirements will be excluded from the jury evaluation process.
3. Clarity and Coherence of the Submission
Each submission must be presented in a clear, coherent, and comprehensible manner.
4. Adherence to the Design Context
All entries must be developed strictly within the site, context, and conditions defined by the competition organizers. Submissions based on fictional contexts, alternative sites, or altered conditions will be deemed non-compliant and will not advance to subsequent stages of the competition.
5. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence tools may be used exclusively for presentation-related purposes, including rendering and visual enhancement. All conceptual development, design authorship, and decision-making must be solely and independently produced by the participant. The use of pre-existing projects, stock or marketplace content, or AI-generated design solutions is strictly prohibited and will result in disqualification.
6. Originality and Authorship
All submissions must represent original work and must not have been previously published, exhibited, or submitted to any other competition or professional context. Any breach of originality or authorship will result in immediate disqualification.
7. Legal Responsibility
Participants assume full responsibility for any violation of intellectual property rights or third-party claims arising from their submission. The organizers reserve the right to disqualify any entry at any stage upon confirmation of such violations.
8. Jury Authority and Final Determination
All decisions rendered by the jury are final, binding, and not subject to appeal. The organizers reserve the right to make changes or modifications to the competition timeline, procedures, or structure where necessary.
Key Dates
- Entry Opens: December 15, 2025
- Entry Deadline: February 28, 2026
- Nomination Announcement: April 1, 2026
- Jury Session: April 18, 2026, University of British Columbia (UBC)
- Award Ceremony: May 8, 2026, Polygon Gallery, North Vancouver
The Mayor of the City of North Vancouver will present the awards.
Elementary School Students
Submission:
1 sheet — 50 × 70 cm (19.7 × 27.6 inches)
Concept / Idea
A clear and simple presentation of the idea.
Initial Sketch
A hand-drawn sketch showing early development.
Physical Model
A small handmade model.
Model photos are placed on the sheet.
Optional 3D Sketch
A simple 3D drawing of the idea or the model.
Final Sheet Includes:
Concept + Initial Sketch + Model Photos (required) + Optional 3D Sketch
High School Students
Submission:
1 sheet — 50 × 70 cm (19.7 × 27.6 inches)
Concept Statement
A clear summary of the idea.
Concept Diagram
Shows the development and logic of the concept.
3D Representation
A physical model with photos or a digital 3D view.
Project Documents: Plan + Elevation + Context
At least one plan and one elevation are included.
The sheet shows how the project relates to its surroundings.
University Students
Submission:
Up to 2 sheets — each 50 × 70 cm (19.7 × 27.6 inches)
Concept Statement
A focused explanation of the main idea.
Concept Diagram
Illustrates the evolution and structure of the concept.
Context / Site Analysis Diagram
Shows site conditions, context, and design parameters.
Site Plan
Represents the placement of the project on the site.
Technical & Design Documents
May include plans, elevations, sections, and other project information.
These can be digital or hand-drawn.
3D Representation
Any of the following formats:
• Digital visuals
• Hand-drawn perspectives
• Model photographs
Summary
• Elementary: 1 sheet — concept + sketches + model photos
• High School: 1 sheet — concept + diagrams + 3D + project documents
• University: Up to 2 sheets — full concept, site analysis, project documents, and 3D visuals
PARTICIPANT ENTRY FORM
“All participants are required to complete this form and submit their project files to enter the competition.”
Important: If you have registered in the initial form, log-in from this link to upload your information.
