Open real projects to the best ideas.
ARCH Challenge is the platform through which MGM connects real sites, practical design briefs and international creative talent to develop vision, encourage the exchange of ideas and strengthen design quality.
What is ARCH Challenge
It is MGM’s proprietary platform dedicated to architecture, design research and the international mobilisation of creative expertise. It opens selected sites, briefs and project assignments to architects, designers, students, researchers and multidisciplinary teams.
It goes beyond a stylistic exercise: it supports research, the exchange of ideas and the selection of design proposals.
Why it is important for MGM
More than an answer
A real site generates many design interpretations, not a single solution.
The place shapes the brief
Morphology, orientation, views and climate become integral parts of the design.
International talent, real site
Global visions are set against a concrete Cape Verde context.
Potential quality of the asset
Design dialogue can strengthen a development’s identity, coherence and quality.
How it works
- 01
Site selection
MGM identifies a real location with significant territorial and design characteristics.
- 02
Brief definition
The site informs a precise design brief and a clearly defined scope.
- 03
Opening to international talent
The challenge is opened to architects, firms, students and multidisciplinary teams.
- 04
Presentation of proposals
Participants develop and present their design proposals.
- 05
Evaluation
A qualified jury analyses the proposals for rigour, vision and coherence with the context.
- 06
Development pathway
Selected proposals may be assessed for further technical development.
A challenge does not constitute an automatic promise of development. Selected proposals may be evaluated in a subsequent technical, financial and contractual phase.
Cidade Velha · Santiago
The first chapter of ARCH Challenge takes place in Cidade Velha, on the island of Santiago, on a site of strong landscape and historic significance. The challenge concerns a residential project that requires attention to orientation, morphology, views, livability and feasibility.
A platform, not an isolated episode.
ARCH Challenge is designed as an evolving platform for different sites, scales and programmes, guided by the same principle: design dialogue as a means to improve quality, deepen understanding of the setting and support disciplined innovation.
Santiago, Boa Vista and São Vicente represent examples of the possible territorial breadth, within a pathway that develops progressively.
AI expands the process. It does not replace the design.
ARCH Challenge recognises the value of artificial intelligence as support for research, representation and design exploration. Thinking, judgement, responsibility and authorship remain human.
A model that can grow.
Over time, ARCH Challenge may support both MGM initiatives and sites or programmes developed with selected property developers, owners and partners.