Response to the questions of the content design

We would like to thank everyone who has raised questions or critiques regarding the competition process. The following questions have been raised, and their answers are provided below to enhance transparency.

1. Is submission of Phase 2 architectural, structural, and MEP documentation required in this competition?  
No. To ensure the constructability of the proposal, it is sufficient to provide general recommendations regarding materials, structural systems, and MEP considerations, in accordance with the design and execution guidelines and constraints. Regarding this matter, the competition brief has been reviewed in consultation with the jury and the Policy-Making Council and has been re-uploaded to the official website.

2. The design guidelines and constraints provide an excessive level of detail, creating the impression that Phase 2 documentation is expected. Was it necessary to include these details?  
Given that Iran’s pavilion at Expo 2027 will be located in Hall No. 5 within a covered shed structure with predefined structural and MEP systems, it is essential for designers—already at Phase 1—to be aware of execution-related constraints, particularly regarding structure and MEP. Therefore, these constraints, provided by the main Expo organizer under the title “Technical Information Package (TIP)” and included in the competition brief, must be taken into account by designers at this stage to prevent constructability issues in subsequent design phases.

3. Can young architects, artists, and creative thinkers who do not have 10 years of professional experience participate in the competition?  
Yes. Participants may join the competition as part of a team, provided they do not serve as the Lead Architect.

4. Following the initial eligibility screening, how many evaluation stages will there be?  
According to the National Comprehensive Regulations for Architectural and Urban Design Competitions (approved by the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution), only eligible participants will proceed to evaluation by the jury. As stated in the competition brief, this evaluation will be conducted in a single stage. Furthermore, as per Clause 19, Section 4 of the aforementioned regulations, verification of participant eligibility is the responsibility of the Competition Manager.

5. For teams composed of natural persons, must previous architectural competition awards submitted during the initial eligibility assessment pertain exclusively to the Lead Architect?  
No. All team members may submit their prior awards, and these will be considered eligible for scoring.

6. During the eligibility assessment, are only awards in the field of architecture accepted?  
Based on the joint meeting of the jury, the Policy-Making Council, and the Expo 2027 team, awards from competitions in other fields—such as games, music, and other artistic disciplines—will also be accepted.

7. When will the drawings related to the Iran Pavilion be made available?  
After submission of registration documents, the complete drawing package—including the “Design and Build Guide” and “How to Plan Your Pavilion” documents—will be sent to selected participants.

8. What does “10 years of professional experience for the team’s Lead Architect” mean?  
It means the Lead Architect must either have 10 years of official employment-insurance history or provide supporting documentation (such as a portfolio, letters, etc.) demonstrating at least 10 years of relevant professional experience.

9. Does this competition provide a registration fee subsidy?  
No. However, in addition to prizes for 1st through 3rd places, awards have also been allocated for ranks 4th through 10th, as outlined in the competition program.

10. What is the relative importance of each evaluation criterion?  
Based on the evaluation criteria stated in the competition brief and the consensus of the respected jury and Policy-Making Council, the following sub-criteria carry greater weight:  
- Innovative and forward-looking ideas  
- Engaging visitors with the proposed content  
- Enabling interactive “play” with the presented elements  
- Cultural and behavioral sensitivity toward visitors (noting that the majority will be from Serbian-speaking countries)  
- Creating memorable visitor experiences  
- Special attention to children, teenagers, and elderly audiences

11. Aside from the disciplines specified for registration, are professionals from other fields also permitted to participate?  
The listed disciplines represent the minimum required expertise for participation. The involvement of other professionals—such as industrial designers, creative concept developers, or producers active in the fields of games, sports, and music—is encouraged and welcomed.

12. Will the products presented in the Iran Pavilion be limited exclusively to traditional Iranian products?  
No. Preference will be given to innovative and creative Iranian products based on play, sports, and music.