Architecture Competitions 2026 News
post updated 1 October 2026
Architectural Competitions : links on e-architect
We feature the latest architecture competitions from around the world, updated daily to weekly.
Recently Added Architectural Contests on e-architect – listed chronologically:
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Architecture Competitions in 2026 Listed by Month
Modern international architectural contest deadlines news / awards and prizes / contact details in 2026:
OCTOBER
Estonian National Opera Building Extension Architecture Competition
20 October 2026: submission deadline
The deadline for the competition below has been extended to 20 October
The Estonian National Opera has announced a public procurement for a spatial program and volume analysis service
The Estonian National Opera has launched a procurement procedure for the preparation of spatial programs and volume analyses for the extension of the National Opera.
The objective of the procurement is to find a partner to develop solutions that consider the expectations of the National Opera, the Ministry of Culture, the National Heritage Board, and the City of Tallinn. The partner will draft the spatial programs for the extension and their volumetric analyses to ensure the modern functioning of the National Opera. The broader goal of the work is to find solutions to the challenge of developing the National Opera building within a complex urban spatial environment, ensuring that the spatial needs of the opera house are aligned with current legislation and quality criteria.
Teams with experience in previous volume analysis, the necessary architectural competence, and experience in the technical management, project management of design, or client representation of a resident-company opera and ballet theatre are invited to participate in the procurement. In addition to the team’s competence, the analysis methodology, action plan, schedule, and division of labor will also be evaluated. A portion of the evaluation points will be based on the total cost of the tender.
The analysis of the three options serves as the basis for preparing the brief for the public architectural competition.
The deadline for the submission of tenders is 20 October at 15:00.
The language of the tender can be Estonian or English.
Detailed conditions (in Estonian language) in the Procurement Register: https://riigihanked.riik.ee/rhr-web/#/procurement/9480424/general-info
The web page of National Opera: https://opera.ee/en/
Estonian Association of Architects: www.arhliit.ee
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Kingspan MICROHOME 2026
(30 September 2026: registration deadline)
2 November 2026: Submission
Type: Open – Concept
Language: English
Prizes: 100,000 €
The Kingspan MICROHOME 2026 continues Buildner’s long-standing exploration of compact living and sustainable design. Now in its 11th edition, and marking the fourth collaboration with Kingspan, the competition challenges architects and designers to reimagine what home means when it is stripped to its essentials. Participants are invited to propose an off-grid modular dwelling with a
Details for this architectural competition page here: https://architecturecompetitions.com/microhome2026/
Prizes:
Three winning proposals, two Buildner special award recipients, four Kingspan award recipients, and six honourable mentions will be selected. Buildner will award a total of €100,000 in prize money to competition winners as follows:
1st Prize – €30,000
2nd Prize – €10,000
3rd Prize – €5,000
6 Honourable Mentions
Buildner Student Award – €10,000
Buildner Sustainability Award – €10,000
The Kingspan Award – €30,000
3 × The Kingspan Compliments – €5,000 each
Key Dates:
(Early Bird Registration: November 10, 2025 – February 11, 2026)
Advance Registration: February 12 – May 27, 2026
Last Minute Registration: May 28 – September 30, 2026
Closing Date for Questions: October 5, 2026
Competition Closing Date: November 2, 2026 (11:59 p.m. London time)
Winners Announced: December 15, 2026
Registration Fees:
Early Bird: 10 Nov – 11 Feb | 65-79 €
Advanced: 12 Feb – 27 May | 75-95 €
Last Minute: 28 May – 30 Sep |95-125 €
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OCTOBER
ADCA 2026: The Search for Remarkable Work Begins
19 October 2026: Submission Deadline:
The Architecture & Design Collection Awards (ADCA) returns for its 5th edition, inviting architects, designers, studios, artists, photographers, students, developers, and creative professionals worldwide to submit their work.
Organised by Architecture & Design Community (ADC), the ADCA provides an international platform for projects evaluated across a broad spectrum of creative and professional fields.
Categories for 2026
Architecture | Interior | Landscape | Conceptual Design | Fashion | Furniture | Lighting | Packaging | Product | Transportation | Photography | Communication & Web Design | AI Design
Why enter?
Winners receive international recognition, an electronic certificate of achievement, personalised winner logos, promotional visuals, a dedicated winner’s landing page, social media exposure, media partner visibility, and the opportunity to order the official ADCA trophy.
Key Dates
Early Bird Registration: Until 10 June 2026
Project Submission Deadline: 19 October 2026
Winners Announced: 18 November 2026
SUBMISSION RULES:
https://architecture-collection.com/submit-adca/
International Jury
The 2026 edition of Architecture Collection brings together an international jury of professionals working across architecture, design, media, branding, technology, and creative leadership:
- Pal Pang, Chief Creative Officer, ANOTHER DESIGN, United Kingdom
- Zaki Mallasi, Architectural BIM Designer and Adjunct Professor, iconViz, USA
- Johana Mendoza, Architectural Designer, Olson Kundig, Ecuador
- Aihui Dong, Producer and Advisor, Bad Student Media, China
- Ivan Sipilov, Platform Design Lead, Citadel, USA
- Fateme Mohammadi Maklavani, Founder and Product Owner, Mishin, USA
- Qiwei Li, Chief Designer, Editor-in-Chief and Adjunct Professor, APlace Design and ArchCollege, USA
- Qichao An, Founder and Design Director, Mornice Brand Design, China
The 5th Architecture Collection edition is open. Let your work enter the record.
For enquiries: info(at)architecture-collection.com
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NOVEMBER
Unbox 2026 Architecture Competition
6 November 2026: final registration deadline
Call For Ideas: Unbox 2026 Architecture Competition
As Volume Zero celebrates a decade of shaping global architectural discourse, we are proud to introduce our 30th international architecture competition THE UNBOX 2026: a call to rethink the “DNA” of our shared environments. Marking our 10th anniversary, this competition stands as a testament to our ongoing mission: to empower designers who see architecture not just as a static monument, but as a living, breathing framework for human connection.
In an era defined by digital isolation and rapid environmental shifts, the spaces where we gather have never been more critical. UNBOX challenges the traditional reliance on massive, slow-moving civic infrastructure, inviting the global design community to “think small” for a big impact. We are looking for visionary micro-architectural solutions nimble, inclusive, and multifunctional; that can adapt to the speed of contemporary life. Join us as we enter our second decade of design innovation, and help us prove that even the smallest interventions can serve as powerful prototypes for a more democratic and resilient future.
Step outside the box; join Volume Zero in reimagining the pulse of our cities. –
Public space is where collective life unfolds. It is where communities gather, differences coexist, and civic culture becomes visible. From informal meetings to public debate, from everyday routines to shared celebrations, these spaces shape how we live together.
Yet the way we interact with these spaces is rapidly evolving. Digital platforms increasingly mediate how we communicate, work, learn, and socialize. At the same time, climate instability, social fragmentation, and spatial inequality are redefining the responsibilities of architecture.
While the world often focuses on large infrastructure and landmark architecture, everyday public life frequently unfolds in much smaller spaces. In this context, public space can no longer remain static. It must adapt, respond, and remain relevant. These small-scale environments can be delivered faster, adapted more easily, and implemented more affordably than large civic projects.
“Design Small. Big Impact!”
OPPORTUNITY:
Public space remains one of the few truly democratic built-forms. It carries social, environmental, and cultural responsibility. These play a critical role in supporting social exchange, climate comfort, and inclusive gathering.
Today, these spaces must be capable of supporting diverse communities and multiple forms of use. They must respond to limited resources and environmental pressures while encouraging presence and interaction in an increasingly screen-mediated world.
This competition presents an opportunity to propose a micro public space that is adaptable, multifunctional, and context-sensitive. Rather than focusing solely on formal expression, participants are encouraged to explore how architecture can operate as prototype model of civic infrastructure serving real needs while strengthening shared experience. The spaces may work with combination of many functions that are not limited to
• Libraries that double up as a Community Space.
• Public Squares that host learning, play, performances
• Observation Towers and Decks that act as Landmarks and Utilities
• Bridges that acts like a art or viewing gallery
• Playscapes that support climate resilience
• Public toilets that goes beyond a humble civic infrastructure
“Less is More” – Mies Van Der Rohe (German-American architect)
CHALLENGE:
UNBOX asks participants to open up what public architecture can be, to rethink how space is shared, sustained, and experienced. Participants are invited to design a micro public space with a maximum built-up area of 3000 square feet (278 square meters), designed to accommodate a minimum of 250 users per day.
The proposal must support at least three distinct uses across daily or seasonal cycles. It may take the form of a pavilion, a small public building, a hybrid landscape-architecture intervention, a modular system, or a deployable structure.
The design should demonstrate spatial clarity, multifunctional usability, and environmental responsibility. The proposals need to be sustainable as well as be a model for sustainability for its users. Participants are encouraged to explore non-conventional materials or innovative uses of traditional materials, responding to context, climate, and construction feasibility.
Technology may be incorporated where relevant, but it should reinforce physical interaction rather than replace it. Proposals should also address durability, maintenance, and long-term viability, acknowledging the realities that public spaces face over time.
The aim is not to produce a monument, but to propose a thoughtful and resilient piece of public architecture.
SITE SELECTION:
Participants may select a site anywhere in the world, including urban centres, small towns, or remote landscapes. The chosen location must be clearly identified and justified.
Entries should demonstrate a considered response to the social, cultural, and environmental conditions of the site. Participants must articulate who the space serves, what local need it addresses, and how the proposal engages with its context.
Site sensitivity and contextual awareness will be fundamental to evaluation.
AWARDS:
Prizes of total USD 10000, broken down as follows:
1st Prize: USD 5000 + Certificate + Publication
2nd Prize: USD 2500 + Certificate + Publication
3rd Prize: USD 1500 + Certificate + Publication
Gold Mention: USD 1000 + Certificate + Publication
10 Honourable mentions: Certificates
Winners and Honourable Mentions will be published on Volume Zero website and several international architecture and design magazines.
To show our appreciation, all the participants would receive a participation certificate.
SCHEDULE:
Headstart Registrations: 5th March 2026 to 10th July 2026
Early Bird Registration: 11th July 2026 to 11th September 2026
Standard Registration: 12th September 2026 to 6th November 2026
Closing date for Submissions: 3rd December 2026
Announcement of winners: 5th February 2027
ELIGIBILITY:
Unbox 2026 – Architecture Competition is open to all. We invite architects, students, engineers, product designers, thinkers, companies, organizations, and everyone interested in the mission of the competition to submit their ideas. No professional qualifications are necessary.
To ensure a fair evaluation, it is required that entry include an area statement and scale. Submissions without these details may not be eligible for consideration.
REGISTRATION FEES:
Headstart Registrations:
Participants from India – 2700+18% GST = INR 3186 (per team)
Participants from Other Countries – 70 + 18% GST = USD 82.6 (per team)
Early Bird Registrations:
Participants from India – 3000+18% GST = INR 3540 (per team)
Participants from Other Countries – 80 + 18% GST = USD 94.4 (per team)
Standard Registrations:
Participants from India – 3500 + 18% GST = INR 4130 (per team)
Participants from Other Countries – 95+ 18% GST = USD 112.1 (per team)
Website: https://volumezerocompetitions.com/unbox-2026
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Micro Living 2026 Architecture Competition
November 6 2026: final registration deadline
Call For Ideas: Micro Living 2026 Architecture Competition
Marking a decade of pioneering global design discourse, Volume Zero is proud to announce the launch of its 29th international architecture competition: Micro Living 2026. This landmark edition marks a significant milestone in our 10-year journey as a “curator of potential,” continuing our commitment to a new wave of architecture that is as responsive as it is resilient.
As our world shifts toward unprecedented fluidity where we work, connect, and relocate with increasing speed the traditional rigid script of “the home” is being rewritten. Micro Living challenges the global design community to step beyond the constraints of shrinking footprints and instead expand the logic of possibility. This is an invitation to architects, designers, and thinkers to join a decade-long legacy of innovation and help us reimagine how 250 square feet can transform from a limitation into a powerful model for urban intelligence.
Come be a part of this movement; join us as we celebrate ten years of design that thinks, breathes, and evolves.
Life no longer fits into fixed rooms. We wake up to glowing screens. We work from kitchen tables. We build relationships across time zones. We relocate without warning. Climate events interrupt routines. Ownership is shifting toward access. Privacy and community now overlap in unexpected ways.
Our lives are fluid however our homes are not. Most housing is designed for stability: one job, one city, one predictable routine. Yet today, life transforms hour by hour, season by season. The way we live has evolved. The spaces we inhabit have not.
This architecture competition asks a decisive question:
What if 250 square feet was all the city could give you?
Micro Living invites you to design more than a compact house. It asks you to reimagine the logic of living itself to transform limitation into intelligence, and density into opportunity.
“This is not about shrinking space. It is about expanding possibility.”
OPPORTUNITY:
For decades, housing has followed a rigid script. Rooms had fixed names and fixed purposes. The bedroom was for sleeping. The kitchen was for cooking. The living room was for receiving guests.
However contemporary life refuses to stay in one box. Today, a single table can host a morning meeting, an afternoon meal, and a late-night conversation. A window corner can become a studio, a meditation space, or a place to pause. Our lives are layered.
Our spaces must respond. At 250 square feet, there is no room for excess.
Every wall must think. Every surface must perform. Every movement must feel intentional.
Micro is not a compromise, it is precision. And when multiplied, precision becomes power.
“Less is More” – Mies Van Der Rohe (German-American architect)
CHALLENGE:
Design a 250 sq. ft. living module for two residents. Within this compact foot print, sleeping, cooking, bathing, working, eating, and storage must coexist not as crowded functions, but as a seamless choreography across the day.
The space should transform as life transforms. Calm in the morning. Productive in the afternoon. Intimate at night.
The module is only the beginning. Imagine 25 of these units forming a community for 50 residents in an urban context of your choice. Not a stack of identical boxes rather a responsive, adaptable network.
Circulation becomes a social thread. Shared infrastructure becomes a resource-saving backbone. Thresholds create moments of encounter without sacrificing privacy.
Design not just walls rather interdependence.
Design not just housing but a blueprint for urban resilience.
SITE SELECTION:
Participants are free to choose an urban site anywhere in the world.
From Tokyo to Mumbai, from New York to Lagos, cities are confronting density, affordability, and environmental pressure. Each context offers unique challenges and opportunities.
Select a site that strengthens your narrative. Your proposal should respond to real urban conditions and not abstract theory.
The city is evolving. Now design how we live within it.
AWARDS:
Prizes of total USD 10000:
The same as for the Unbox 2026 Architecture Competition further up this page.
SCHEDULE:
Headstart Registrations: 5th March 2026 to 12th June 2026
Early Bird Registration: 13th June 2026 to 4th September 2026
Standard Registration: 5th September 2026 to 6th November 2026
Closing date for Submissions: 3rd December 2026
Announcement of winners: 5th February 2027
ELIGIBILITY:
Micro Living Architecture Competition is open to all. We invite architects, students, engineers, product designers, thinkers, companies, organizations and everyone interested in the mission of the competition to submit their ideas. No professional qualifications are necessary.
To ensure a fair evaluation, it is required that entry include an area statement and scale. Submissions without these details may not be eligible for consideration.
REGISTRATION FEES:
The same fees as for the Unbox 2026 Architecture Competition stated higher up this page.
Website: https://volumezerocompetitions.com/micro-living-2026
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Best Thesis Award 2026: Architecture
An international platform for emerging architects to showcase their academic culmination, gaining global recognition and connecting with professionals.
25 November 2026: deadline
Link: Competition Page
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Best Thesis Award 2026: Planning
Recognizing outstanding urban planning and regional development theses that address the complex challenges of future cities, sustainability, and mobility.
25th November 2026: deadline
Link: Competition Page
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2027
International Architecture Competitions
JANUARY
Designverse Awards 2027
January 27, 2027: deadline
Designverse Awards is the world’s first design ecosystem big data research award, dedicated to honoring design institutions, enterprises, organizations, and individuals that have made outstanding contributions to the greater design industry chain in the fields of space design (architecture, landscape, interior, technical consultancy, professional consultancy, specialized consultancy), product design (product design, product branding), and social innovation (brands, events). The award aims to drive sustainable development across the global design industry.
With the core mission of “Connecting Global Design Resources to Build a Data-Driven Design Value Evaluation System”, Designverse Awards leverages Designverse Ranking, platform search data, and global public sentiment analysis to focus on three core categories: Space Design, Product Design, and Brands/Major Events. By leading specialized subdivisions within the design industry, the award upholds the healthy and positive development of the design ecosystem. Through platform content promotion empowerment and intellectual property protection, the award provides long-term brand incubation & consulting services to applicants. It supports originality, helps participants enhance the value of their digital brand assets, secures industry recognition, and unlocks access to broader potential business opportunities.
The final jury of the Designverse Awards 2026–2027 comprises 36 experts across design, development and brand disciplines.
Juror list:
Andreas Thomczyk, Founding Partner, anySCALE Architecture Design
Antonia Cvitan Vuletić & Luka Cvitan, Co-founder and Lead Architect at Prostorne taktike
Bing Shen, General Manager of Shanghai Shangfang Chengxin Enterprise Development Co., Ltd.
Chen Lei, UA Senior Partner, Director | General Manager
Chen Zengrong, Founder and Chairman of TEAM LADDER
Cheng Yu, Founder, ChengYu STUDIO, Floral Designer for Luxury Brands
Dingmin Yan, Cellist, Founder of “Lumicello”, Sensory Aesthetics Curator
Dr. Ding Wei, Professor of School of Design at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Founder of Moma Design
Dwight Law, Founder & Chief Landscape Designer of Design Land Collaborative (DLC)
Gao Xiong, Deputy General Manager of Poly Property Group Shanghai Company
Glen.He, EKA · Tianwu Cultural Strategy Consultant and Director of New Business Expansion & Strategy
Hiloni S., Founder / Lead Architect at Hsc Designs
Jago van Bergen, Director and Co-Founder of van Bergen Kolpa Architects
James Gau, Co-Founder and CEO of SHOEBOT
Jiang Chun, Director, General Manager & Design Director, Jiang Architects & Engineers, Shanghai
Jiang Ping, Founder and Principal Architect of APJ Arch
Kelvin Thengono, Founder / Principal Architect at K-Thengono Design Studio
Lai Fun Tong (Fun), Regional VP – APAC, Global Workplace Solutions, Enterprise, CBRE
Li Changchen, Founder of WOODPARK and ICE PANDA
Li Jing, General Manager of Shanghai East Best International Business Development Co.,Ltd
Li Xuan, Deputy General Manager, Shanghai Land Renewal Design Co., Ltd.
Ling Lei, Vice President, JD Worldwide, Global Head of China Brand Expansion
Liu Hung-Chih, Global Director of Cities & Urban Design, Gensler
Liu Yuyang, Founder and Principal of Atelier Liu Yuyang Architects
Lu Zhongxiao, Executive Director, Nikken Sekkei Ltd., Chairman, Nikken Sekkei (Shanghai) Consulting Co., Ltd.
María Bravo, Furniture and Objects Designer, Founder of STUDIO MARIA BRAVO
Mathias Renz, CEO, Wilhelm Renz GmbH + Co. KG
Michael Mesaric, Co-Founder and COO of Manta Aircraft
Patrick L’hoste, CEO and Founder of pulpo
Peggy Yu, Promoting American Hardwood
Shushana Khachatrian, Founder & Creative Director of STUDIO SHOO
Tony Brown, Director of the Art and Technology Department for Beijing Normal University Zhuhai, Future Design School, Tenured Professor at ENSBA and Director of The Research PHD Program
Vivan Chan, Interdisciplinary Artist, Researcher in Contemporary Craft & Decoration, Director of Shanghai Public Art Cooperation Center｜Shanghai‑Hong Kong Cultural and Creative Industry Development Department
Xiang Feng, Manager, East China Central Sales Department, TOTO (China) Co., Ltd.
Yanguo Cai, President of MATSU Group
Zeng Qun, Vice President & Chief Architect, Tongji Architectural Design (Group) Co.,Ltd.
These professionals serve as final jurors for the Designverse Awards 2026–2027, bringing greater diversity, equity and professionalism to the award.
Deadline of this awards is January 27, 2027.
Please see the detailed award brief by clicking on:
https://www.designverse.com.cn/en/article/space/453566
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FEBRUARY
San Sebastiano Prison Architecture Competition
19 February 2027: submission deadline
The Italian State Property Agency (Agenzia del Demanio) has launched an international Design Competition for the regeneration of the former San Sebastiano Prison in Sassari, Italy.
The complex is one of the most significant historic sites in the city. This Italian architecture competition offers an important professional opportunity for architects and multidisciplinary teams working in urban regeneration, the restoration of architectural heritage and the design of public spaces.
The total value of the services to be awarded exceeds EUR 2 million, with a further EUR 5 million available as options for subsequent design stages and technical services.
The First Phase submission deadline is 19 February 2027 at 14:00 (CET).
Full design contest documentation and access to the submission platform are available at:
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MARCH
2nd International Aesthetic Design Competition
29 March 2027: submission deadline
The 2nd International Aesthetic Design Competition (IADC2027), hosted by the Department of Architecture at Alanya University, Türkiye, invites architects, urban designers, interior architects, academics, professionals, and students from around the world to submit architectural and urban design projects, concepts, and ideas.
Held under the theme “Aesthetic Design Ideas for a Better World,”
IADC2027 explores the transformative role of aesthetics in architecture and urban design, with emphasis on creativity, innovation, cultural expression, environmental responsibility, spatial quality, and human experience.
Students may participate individually or in teams, while academic instructors may participate as supervisors or advisors. Teams may include up to four participants. Participants may submit projects under either architecture or urban design. Eligible projects include conceptual, unbuilt, under-development, and completed/built projects, and projects may be located anywhere in the world. There is no age restriction.
Each project requires a separate registration, payment, and submission.
The final submission deadline is 29 March 2027, and the winners will be announced on 5 May 2027. Early Registration is €25 per project until 28 February 2027, while Standard Registration is €70 per project from 1 to 29 March 2027. The competition awards €400 for First Prize, €300 for Second Prize, and €100 for Third Prize, with 30 projects shortlisted or mentioned.
The official IADC2027 competition poster is attached for your consideration and potential publication.
For full competition information, regulations, submission requirements, and registration, please visit:
https://competitions.iccaua.com/IADC
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DESIGN CONTESTS ARCHIVE
Architecture Competitions Archive
Past Architecture Competitions on e-architect selection:
IDA International Design Awards
The International Design Awards receives thousands of outstanding designs submitted by companies and designers from over 80 countries, all competing for the top prizes in this prestigious award.
e-architect Editor Adrian Welch is in the IDA Jury again.
Winners represent an extraordinary mix of creativity, innovation, and sustainability, showcasing the best in graphic design, architecture, fashion, product design, and interior design.
The Architecture MasterPrize (AMP)
Location: international
2025 Architecture MasterPrize: AMP News
Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Competition
Location: London, England, UK
Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Competition
The 4th Quadrant of Victory Square International Architectural Competition
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
4th Quadrant of Victory Square Prague Competition
City of The Future Competition
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland
£10k Prize
City of the Future Urban Design Competition, Belfast
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Major Architecture Awards
World Architecture Festival Awards
More architectural contests are welcome – please email info(at)e-architect.com for details
London Architecture Competitions
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Recent Architecture Competitions
Architecture Competition – Design Contest Archive for 2025
Architecture Competitions 2024 archive
Organising an Architectural Competition? please mail us: info(at)e-architect.com
Comments for the Architecture Competitions 2026 News page welcome.