URBAN AIR MOBILITY TERMINAL OF NEW YORK
JERSEY CITY, USA
The project seeks visions for a next-generation Urban Air Mobility Terminal at Downtown Skyport, transforming an existing waterfront heliport into a cleaner, quieter, and more public-facing civic mobility hub for Lower Manhattan.
Submission Deadline: January 3, 2027
BRIEF
New York has always been defined by movement. Ferries, bridges, tunnels, subways, streets, airports, and towers have shaped the city into one of the world’s most complex transportation landscapes. Today, a new layer of mobility is emerging above the city: electric vertical flight.
The New York Urban Air Mobility Terminal asks participants to reimagine the existing Downtown Manhattan Heliport / Downtown Skyport as a future-ready civic infrastructure site. The project should integrate eVTOL operations, passenger experience, public observation, emergency response, waterfront resilience, and community trust into one compact architectural proposal.
This is not a blank-slate airport project. It is an adaptive-reuse challenge on a real waterfront aviation site. Participants must work with the existing pier condition, apron, two-level terminal building, public edge, security constraints, emergency access, and the dense urban context of Lower Manhattan.
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SITE
Positioned at the edge of Lower Manhattan, the pier offers expansive views toward Brooklyn, New York Harbor, Governors Island, and the Statue of Liberty. It is located near the Financial District, Wall Street, Whitehall Terminal, South Ferry, the East River Greenway, and a dense network of subway, ferry, pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular connections.
Participants may renovate, expand, partially replace, or reinterpret the existing terminal. Multi-level solutions are encouraged where they improve operations, public access, passenger circulation, resilience, and the relationship between the city, waterfront, and flight deck.
Limited expansion beyond the existing pier may be proposed only where it is clearly justified by aviation safety, waterfront resilience, environmental responsibility, and demonstrable public benefit.
PROGRAM
The competition seeks a compact public-facing terminal where electric aviation, passenger experience, technological learning, and waterfront life are clearly connected.
Organize passengers, public visitors, secure airside operations, staff, service vehicles, approved VIP vehicles, and emergency responders through safe and legible circulation systems. Public spaces should remain engaging even when flight operations are limited.
● Arrival and Departure Hall
● Check-In and Security
● Waiting and Boarding Lounge
● Baggage and Passenger Support
● Café, Restrooms and Public Amenities
* The Program description and areas are specified in the Project Brief and are accessible after registration.● Future Mobility Exhibition Gallery
● Immersive Flight Experience
● Education and Community Space
● Public Observation Lounge
● Flexible Demonstration and Event Space
* The Program description and areas are specified in the Project Brief and are accessible after registration.● Administrative Offices and Meeting Rooms
● Staff Workroom and Briefing Area
● Staff Breakroom and Lockers
● Storage, Waste and Building Services
● Technical and Back-of-House Circulation
* The Program description and areas are specified in the Project Brief and are accessible after registration.● Flight Monitoring and Operations Command
● Safety and Emergency Coordination
● Charging and Battery Support
● Maintenance and Workshop
● Data, Server and Communications
* The Program description and areas are specified in the Project Brief and are accessible after registration.● eVTOL Flight Deck and Landing Areas
● Protected Boarding and Aircraft Staging
● Charging, Service and Movement Zones
● Emergency and Approved VIP Vehicle Access
● Waterfront Terrace, Observation and Resilience Areas
* The Program description and areas are specified in the Project Brief and are accessible after registration.
PRIZES
Winning and shortlisted projects are promoted across our website, press releases, architectural platforms, and social media. Selected works may be showcased in international exhibitions and the Design Unlimited Yearbook.
● $10,000
● The jury may redistribute part of the fund to reflect merit and impact. Cash minima below are guaranteed; any remaining balance becomes a Discretionary Fund.● $4,000 (Minimum)
● Certificate
● Publications● $700 (Minimum)
● Certificate
● Publications● $300 (Minimum)
● Certificate
● Publications● $1,500 (Minimum)
● Certificate
● Publications
* Community Choice nominees are selected by the jury and then opened to a public vote.
* This vote runs independently from the jury awards and does not influence the official results.
* Jury-awarded winners are also eligible to win the Community Choice Award.
TIMELINE
Meeting deadlines is crucial for competition eligibility. Participants must prioritize timelines, completing each phase promptly. Timely submissions allow for thorough review and refinement, enhancing overall quality. Embracing proactive time management fosters efficiency and excellence within the competition. Dates are subject to change. Please refer to the official website for updates.
August 3 – September 13, 2026 | $49
First 30 teams or end date (whichever comes first).
September 14 – November 22, 2026 | $59
First 50 teams or end date (whichever comes first).
September 14 – November 22, 2026 | $79
First 60 teams or end date (whichever comes first)
November 23 – December 27, 2026 | $99
First 50 teams or end date (whichever comes first)
December 28, 2026 – January 3,2027 | $119
January 3, 2027, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time
January 4–17, 2027
January 24, 2027
Simon McKenzie is an architect and educator based in San Francisco. Before joining Feldman Architecture in 2024, he spent seven years working at the international office of Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill, where he worked on projects at a variety of scales from their early conception through to construction document phases. Simon also has experience at acclaimed offices such as OMA, Coop Himmelb(l)au, and the Research and Development Laboratory of 3XN.
Simon gained his Bachelor of Architecture Studies from the University of Waterloo and Master of Architecture at McGill University. At McGill, he received the AIA Henry Adams Medal and the RAIC Gold Medal for being the top architecture graduate. For the last five years, he has also taught a fourth-year design studio at the Academy of Art University, while maintaining his fulltime position at SOM. Simon’s approach to design combines functional elements of program and site together with experiential elements of phenomenology and narrative.
Michael den Otter joined OMA in 2018 and worked on a number of competitions and projects across different continents, including Apollolaan 171 and the Bajeskwartier in Amsterdam, the renovation of the Egyptian Museum in Turin, and various high-rise towers in the Middle East. He has led the Innovation Partnership Schools project for OMA and is responsible for the creative direction of the Schools by the CircleWood construction system.
Michael holds a Master of Architecture from the Eindhoven University of Technology and the University of Sydney in Australia. He has specific interests in public and cultural architecture, as well as sustainable and circular design.
Michael brings to the jury panel a sharp critical eye and a strong interest in projects that integrate cultural heritage, digital innovation, and spatial narrative. His cross-disciplinary perspective and experience within one of the world’s leading design firms make him a valuable voice in identifying work that is bold, thoughtful, and impactful.
David Jaehning is a licensed architect in California and Oregon. Prior to founding the studio, he led a variety of project types — including museums, civic, commercial, residential, and hotels — at internationally renowned architecture firms including David Chipperfield in Milan, Italy, and Herzog & de Meuron in Basel, Switzerland, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) in San Francisco, and Marlon Blackwell in Arkansas.
While at David Chipperfield, he was the team leader on the Restoration of Castello Sforzesco in Milan and the Urban Redevelopment of the University Hospital of Santa Chiara in Pisa. At Herzog & de Meuron, he was part of a team that oversaw the completed design and construction of the New de Young Museum in San Francisco. At Marlon Blackwell, he was the project manager for the Steven L. Anderson Design Center at the Fay Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas, and managed projects for Shelby Farms Park in Memphis, Tennessee.
Alongside his practice, David teaches undergraduate and graduate design studios and construction courses at UC Berkeley’s Department of Architecture. He also writes on the disciplinary concerns of architecture. His forthcoming book, "Construction: The Aspiring Architect’s Handbook" is an introductory textbook on contemporary construction practices, intended for students in NAAB-accredited programs. Co-authored with fellow professor Dana Buntrock, it is under contract with Birkhäuser Verlag GmbH with an anticipated release in 2025.
Kristoffer Tjerrild Lund is an Architect at Cobe in Copenhagen, contributing significantly to innovative architectural projects.
His previous roles include a design position at renowned firms such as 3XN/GXN, OMA and Snøhetta.
Kristoffer's academic journey spans from a bachelor’s degree in architecture from KADK in Copenhagen to earning his master’s degree in architecture at SCI-Arc in Los Angeles. This educational background has equipped him with a deep understanding of architectural theory and practice. Fluent in navigating diverse cultural and professional landscapes, Kristoffer is known for his innovative approach and commitment to pushing the boundaries of architectural design. His insights and expertise will undoubtedly enrich the evaluation process of this competition.
Karen Seong is the Director of the School of Architecture at the Academy of Art University (and the Acting Director of the School of Landscape Architecture).
She is a proponent of online education as a means to meaningfully diversify the architectural profession. She also advocates for community-based design projects founded on her belief that architects have a responsibility to serve in the interest of the public. Under her leadership, student work was recognized with AIA SF Leadership Award, ACSA Conference Presentation, and NBC Bay Area news coverage.
Karen developed her professional expertise while with the multi-national firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Karen held leadership positions working collaboratively with large international teams on award-winning projects ranging from high-rises in Manhattan and Kuwait, a bioscience research building for Rice University, college campuses for the Kuwaiti government, and artist James Turrell’s Roden Crater Fumarole in Arizona. She is a licensed architect in California and New York, a LEED accredited professional, and NCARB certified. She serves on the board of the San Francisco chapter of the American Institute of Architects and is a professional member of the National Organization of Minority Architects.
Karen received a Master of Architecture from Columbia University, with distinction, and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture with High Honors from UC Berkeley. Karen has previously taught at UC Berkeley and has been a guest critic at various institutions in the US and in Korea.
JURY
Each jury undergoes meticulous nomination, consisting of top-tier professionals whose expertise closely aligns with the competition's theme. This rigorous selection process ensures that every jury member embodies excellence and relevance in their respective fields.
Outstanding participants may receive job or internship offers, supported by the jury panel and their connections, to advance their careers in design and architecture.
EVALUATION
These criteria are meticulously crafted to ensure a comprehensive and fair evaluation of each submission, reflecting our commitment to excellence, creativity, and practical feasibility.
1 - 10 Points
The design must respond to and harmonize with its surroundings, considering cultural, environmental, and social contexts.
1 - 10 Points
The design should achieve a balance between aesthetic appeal and practical functionality, enhancing the user experience while fulfilling its intended purpose.
1 - 10 Points
The design must effectively address the spatial requirements and relationships between different programmatic elements, demonstrating efficient and thoughtful organization of spaces.
1 - 10 Points
The design ideas and concepts must be clearly and effectively conveyed, utilizing drawings, models, and other visual representations to communicate the project’s vision.
1 - 10 Points
The design should seamlessly connect architecture and landscape, with outdoor spaces supporting events, learning, and daily use. Plazas and gardens must offer climate-responsive comfort while enhancing public life and reinforcing the museum’s cultural role.
Design a civic gateway that responds to the Hudson River, frames Manhattan views, and integrates the terminal, public promenade, landscape, and arrival sequence into one clear architectural identity.
Organize pads, staging, boarding, charging, and emergency access safely and clearly. Use an efficient structural system that supports one- or two-story terminal options and future aircraft technologies.
Prioritize all-electric systems, renewable energy, stormwater management, durable marine materials, and flood-resilient design suited to wind, salt exposure, and changing waterfront conditions.
Create an intuitive and inclusive journey from parking and drop-off to check-in, waiting, and boarding, with clear separation between public, passenger, service, aircraft, and emergency circulation.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Proposals should fuse park-integrated identity, teachable structure, and adaptable prototyping with net-zero performance and universal access. The center must act as a quiet civic landmark and trail amenity—resilient, low-carbon, and welcoming for makers and visitors alike.
DELIVERABLES
To correctly participate in the competition, participants must upload the following materials. The materials cannot contain any name or reference to designers except in the Registration Form. Submissions that fail to follow the rule or naming convention will be disqualified and not reviewed.
● One Cover Image, 1920x1080px, .jpg format
● No Text
● It should showcase the best of the project and will be used in publications
● Two A1 panels vertically oriented, 841 mm x 594 mm, .jpg format, maximum size 10 MB each
● Contents should include but not limited to:
- Overall design concept or conceptual idea.
- Architectural representations and technical drawings(e.g., plans, elevations, sections, axonometric, renderings, model photographs, hand sketches, etc. )
● A A4 .word format, 300 to 500 words maximum
● Text only and must be brief and written in English
Add a Title
● This competition embraces an open registration to all students and young architects worldwide. Eligible participants include students in architecture and related fields accredited by their local Ministry of Education.
● This competition allows participants to enter either individually or as a team, with a maximum of five members per team.
● Every team must have at least one member aged 18 to 40 years old. For individual participants, this means they must be within the age range of 18 to 40 to qualify as a one-member team.
● Teams can be composed by members of different nationalities and there are no restrictions about country of residence
● There is no restriction on the citizenship of the participants.
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Complete the online Registration Form (Individual or Team).
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Pay via PayPal (secure checkout) and complete payment.
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Return to the form to enter your Transaction ID and upload payment proof (screenshot/PDF).
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Submit the form. Your registration will be pending verification.
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Once approved, you’ll receive a confirmation email with the Competition Package and your Registration Code.
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Note: Verification is processed in order.
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Add a Title
● Early-Bird Registration - $49 / team*
● Standard Registration - $59 / team*
● Late Registration - $79 / team*
● Have Friends Pay via PayPal on Your Behalf:
Ask a friend from another country where PayPal is supported to complete the payment for you. Once they have done so, please send us both the proof of payment (screenshot of the PayPal receipt) and the transaction ID. This method is generally the most convenient.
● International Wire Transfer:
If PayPal is not an option, we can accept an international wire transfer. Please note that this method incurs an additional USD 15 transaction fee (charged by the banks). Contact us if you wish to proceed with the wire transfer, and we will provide the necessary banking details.
● Checklist：
1. Project Cover Image (No Text)-
Format: JPG only (PDF not accepted)
Size: 1920 x 1080 px
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Cover image shall follow the naming format: Your Registration Code + File Name: i.e., ABC123 - Cover_Image
2. Project Panel x2-
Format: JPG only (PDF not accepted)
Maximum file size: 10MB each
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Each Panel shall follow the naming format: Your Registration Code + File Name: i.e., ABC123 - Panel_1, ABC123 - Panel_2
3. Project Statement-
The Project Statement should briefly explain the design concept, key strategies, and overall vision of the proposal.
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Format: DOC or DOCX only (PDF not accepted)
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Language: English
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Length: Maximum 500 words
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Project Statement shall follow the naming format: Your Registration Code + File Name, i.e., ABC123 - Project_Statement
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● Final submission will be made through the new online submission portal, which will be ready very soon and announced to all participants. Please subscribe to receive the latest submission notice and updates.
● Participants agree and abide by the content and competition rules of this competition. The competition organizing committee has the final right to interpret the competition rules.
● To be eligible for the competition, participants must submit all the required materials. Any missing items will result in disqualification.
● Electronic drawings and videos must not contain any text or visuals associated with the author's name or organization. Failure to comply will result in disqualification.
● Language: The official language of the competition is English (the title of the work must be provided in English, and the content must at least include a design description expressed in English)
● In group participation, only the group leader shall serve as the point of contact, with no direct contact with individual group members.
● Participants retain the copyright of their entries. However, the competition organizer reserves the right to exercise additional copyright permissions apart from signing the entries.
● Works that have participated in other competitions or that use creative ideas that others have published in public are not allowed to participate in the competition.
● Each contestant is permitted to register for only one participating group and may not register for multiple groups.
● The participating team information shall be based on the Registration Form in the final submission.
● The registration fee is non-refundable, unless the organizer cancels the competition due to force majeure circumstances.
● 11:59 pm PT
● Final boards must not include any AI-generated graphics (including text-to-image or generative fill/replace/extend). AI may be used for research/ideation and non-generative render features (e.g., denoise, upscaling, color/tone tools), but all visuals must come from your own modeling, CAD/BIM outputs, photography, hand drawings, or non-AI stock—no AI entourage, skies, or fabricated scene content. Include a brief “Tools & Methods” note and keep source files for audit; violations may lead to disqualification.
● When you submit the project, the final participants will be based on the final registration form so that changes can be made to the names. Note that the Registration Code is unique and can only be used for one submission.
● There is no height limit. The jury will consider your building height based on "Context Integration" as part of the final evaluation.
● Unless otherwise specified, all areas indicated in the brief refer to Gross Floor Area (GFA).
● The provided program size is intended as a guideline. Minor adjustments are permissible, but any significant deviations must be explicitly justified within the proposal.
● Participants may propose additional facilities or programs that enhance their design concept, provided such additions align with the competition’s goals and adhere to its specified constraints.
● As long as all required outdoor areas meet the specified area requirements, the ratio can be flexible.
● Vehicular parking is not required within the project boundary. Most parking may be assumed to be accommodated elsewhere, with pedestrian access to the site. The new public parking west of the site may support ADA parking and drop-off.
FAQ
All the questions related to the competition can be emailed to us at info@designunlimited.online, indicating the following subject: “FAQ – Competition Name”. Answers to all questions will be published on the FAQ online section, which will be regularly updated.
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We appreciate all those who dedicated their time, materials, and resources to the competition. These supports and contributions were instrumental in creating a unique and enriching experience for all participants.
