Frequently asked questions

1Are the teams allowed to share their work for the competition before the winners are announced by the organizer?

The participants are only permitted to share their proposal for the competition on social media or any other platform once the winners are revealed officially. Archdais will also publish each submission at this date and will be working with many design platforms to attract publication opportunities.


2What is the competition brief?

The competition brief is a document that explains the design problem you'll be solving. It includes site details, design requirements, and criteria for judging. This document can be downloaded from our website.


3Are multiple entries allowed for submission and can hand-drawn sheets be submitted?

Participants are free to submit multiple entries or projects, but each entry must be registered by a separate email ID. One sheet will have one project only. Hand-drawn sheets are allowed for submission, participants can scan and mail them to us on submission@archdais.com. Follow all the submission guidelines carefully.


4How can I get a discount on the competition fee?

Discounts can be obtained in two ways. Firstly, through a promo code, which is a tool to obtain a discount on the competition fee. It's not mandatory for registration, but it can help reduce the cost. You can get a promo code either from an Archdais influencer or by writing to us at competition@archdais.com. Secondly, if you are registering a group, a discount is available for a minimum of five teams. During registration, continue adding teams and their information using different email IDs for each team registration. If you encounter any issues while availing this discount, please write to us at competition@archdais.com with the subject line "Group Discount Query”.


5Where all do the participants need to use their unique team code?

All the participants would be using their team code on the top right corner of their sheets, as the name of their submission and wherever requested by the organizer. This code will be their only identification for the process related with this competition. Kindly read the submission guidelines given in the brief carefully.


6Is there an entry fee for the competition?

Yes, participating in the competition does require an entry fee. Archdais.com is a community-supported platform and the entry fees help us manage competitions sustainably. They also support us in publishing and promoting outstanding submissions across the Archdais community throughout the year. You can find specific entry fee details in the competition brief.


7Further Help and Support

For additional inquiries related to the competition, visit the 'Ask us a Question' section located under the FAQ page of the competition. Please note, this section becomes visible after you've logged in. Feel free to write your queries there, and our team will respond as soon as possible. We also encourage you to browse through our FAQ section, as it addresses most common concerns.


8How does a team receive their unique Teamcode code?

All the participants will only receive the unique teamcode on completion of the registration process.


9What is the limit or cap on the number of team members and can anyone participate individually?

A team can have up to 3 members and cannot exceed this number. The participants who desire to participate individually can do so by filling and submitting the details for the team leader.


10Can I change team members after I register?

Teams are welcome to add any new members as long as their total members do not exceed 3. However they are prohibited from swapping or removing any existing member of the team. To do this please send us your request on competition@archdais.com with the details of the new team member along with the team Unique Teamcode.


11Are the teams allowed to share their work for the competition before the winners are announced by the organizer?

The participants are only permitted to share their proposal for the competition on social media or any other platform once the winners are revealed officially. Archdais will also publish each submission at this date and will be working with many design platforms to attract publication opportunities.


12What unit system should any participant adhere in case if anyone wants to show dimensions?

The participants are free to use any one of imperial or metric unit systems.


13What should the participants do in case the payments are not available in our country?

We request the participants to send us the queries on competition@archdais.com to get an alternate payment method. We would send you all the possible payment methods.


14What does the participant do when they don’t get a unique identification code after the payment is made?

In case of such a problem we request you to send us screenshot of your payment receipt to competition@archdais.com with the “unique identification code” as subject matter within two working days of the transaction.


15Where all do the participants need to use their unique team code?

All the participants would be using their team code on the top right corner of their sheets, as the name of their submission and wherever requested by the organizer. This code will be their only identification for the process related with this competition. Kindly read the submission guidelines given in the brief carefully.


16What is the nature of the competition and is it open for all?

The Housing Puzzle, is a Design & Build competition with intentions to execute the winning proposal if & only selected by the developers for execution. The competition is open to all and students and professionals can join the competition.


17What are the modes of submissions?

The participants are requested to submit their work through mail on submission@archdais.com in 6 (Six) A1 size sheets in 150 DPI resolution formats. All the submissions will be taken digitally only.


18What should be the submission file size for the Design Proposal?

The file size should not exceed more than 30mb.


19What file name should be given to submission material?

The participants are requested to submit the files with their unique team code as its name. Follow the submission guidelines given in the brief carefully.


20What unit system should any participant adhere in case if anyone wants to show dimensions?

The participants are free to use any one of imperial or metric unit systems.


21Are multiple entries allowed for submission? or can we submit multiple projects in one entry only?

Participants are free to submit multiple entries or projects, but each entry must be registered by a separate email ID. One sheet will have a One project only.


22Is there any specific theme to be considered?

We urge participants to come up with their most creative concepts (theme) they have in mind and not get restricted to one. This is open for all kinds of design ideas, but make sure you follow the rules & regulations carefully.


23Are hand-drawn sheets allowed for submission?

Yes, they are allowed, participants can scan and mail them to us on submission@archdais.com. Follow all the submission guidelines carefully.


24Will all the participants will receive certificates for being part of the competition?

All the participants will receive digital certificates irrespective of the winners.


25What is a promocode? & How to get one? Is it mandatory for registration?

Through Promocode participants can avail discount on the competition fee. You can get it from an archdais influencer, or by tagging 5 friends in any recent post of the competition shared on social media handles of @archdais & @archdais.competitions . It is not mandatory for registration.


26Minimum number of teams eligible for Group Discount? & How to avail?

Minimum 5 Teams or more are eligible for group discount. Write us on competition@archdais.com with number of teams willing to participate in the Competition. Archdais Team members will guide you with the procedure.


27What is the site for the project?

The site is located in a former rural area called Tathawade in Pimpri Chinchwad (Pune, India), and is currently surrounded by open land. Situated amid upcoming residential complexes, medium-sized companies and other service industries, the area is set to be a prominent location in the near future, due to its proximity to highways.


28In the design do we have to show interiors in Detail?

Interiors are always a plus to explain a unit plan. but detailing is not necessary.


29What is this competition?

The brief of the competition is to design an apartment housing complex with a view to resolve these issues of monotony, placelessness and isolation with regard to real-time constraints of area and considerations of construction type, budget and building bye-laws. With an urge to value the experience of community living, and at the same time break free from the monotonous block model of urban housing, this Design-And-Build competition allows the winning design to be selected for actual execution of the project.


30Should the floor layout and area calculations be shown?

Area calculation break-up is madatory, participants must include with their design proposal in a separate A4 size sheet PDF. This being said, all participants have to adhere minimum area requirements as per the brief.


31Any specific requirements for the project?

The brief proposes two categories of apartments. The first one is a two-bedroom apartment of 750-780 sq m., comprising of a living room with an attached terrace, kitchen, a dry balcony and two toilets. The second one is a three-bedroom apartment of 900-950 sq m., comprising of a living room with an attached terrace, another terrace attached to the master bedroom, a kitchen, a dry balcony and three toilets. The spatial layout and proportion of spaces is left to the participants’ discretion. Apart from the dwelling units, the brief also proposes lounge areas on the top floor of individual buildings. The amenities here include, but are not limited to, spaces like a gymnasium, spaces for yoga, party lawn, buffet areas, and/or landscaped spaces like star gazing areas, musical garden, gazebos, or other spaces designed as per participants’ judgement. Read the brief carefully to understand the detailed requirements of the project.


32What is the Total site Area & FSI to be considered?

The total area of the proposed site is 6.09 acres i.e. 24645.36 Sq. m. The F.S.I. on this plot to be considered is 3.5, Built up: 86258.76 Sq m"


33Are there any existing trees or structures on the site, which needs to be preserved?

Trees on site are mostly shrubs and thorny trees. So promoter has decide to cut down all trees present on site and replant new species as per landscape design. Presently there are few temporary structures, which will be demolished while executing the project.


34Do the participants need to be physically present during the submission?

Currently, the submission needs to be submitted via email on submission@archdais.com, if needed archdais team will get in touch with the participants & guide them with further details.


35Where do I find all the necessary rules and regulations needed for this project?

Since unified DCPR are latest bye-laws published by the government of Maharashtra, all the participants are requested to use those bye-laws as a reference, which you can download from our competition page.


36Are there any restrictions for the height of the building?

Height of the building must not go beyond 68m.


37Do we need to submit the working drawings too?

Working drawings are not necessary at the conceptual stage. Kindly read the guideines given in the brief carefully for detailed requirements.


38Any specific requirements for the submission of design proposal?

Representation of sheet is left to participants discretion, it must include but not limited to: Floor Plans, Master Plan(s), Unit Plans, Sections, elevation, 3D views/renders of entire project & anything else you feel is necessary to clearly communicate the idea of the project with the jurors.


39What all to be included in the Statement document?

Area calculation statement with approximate estimation, specification & design consulatancy fee quote etc. to be submitted on A4 size sheet(s), along with the rest of the submission material. Teamcode must be given on each sheet on top right corner & name of the PDF file must be STATEMENT (TEAMCODE). PDF


40Where can I get the Declaration form?

Declaration from to be downloaded from the competition page on our website, click on 'Download' tab/button.


41Necessary requirements for the Declaration form?

Declaration form to be signed and submitted along with other submission material. (Format of the declaration form must not be changed).


42Do we have to design MHADA reserved area also?

Participants need not design the MHADA reserved area.


43Do we have to count parking area in the built up area?

Parking is free of FSI and need not be counted in Built up.


44Can we connect both sites (site 1 & site 2) from above or under the dividing 24m road?

The sites cannot be connected by any means of basement or bridge from the dividing road of 24m.


45Does the site have any topographic undulations?

There are no contours or any topographic undulations. The site has flat surface.


46Does the site have any topographic undulations?

There are no contours or any topographic undulations. The site has flat surface.