The Living Steel International Architecture Competitions were launched to develop innovative approaches to meet sustainable housing needs. Underpinning each competition is the need to address the economic, environmental and social implications of increased population density and growth. The competitions were developed with the guidance of the International Union of Architects (UIA). They follow the provisions of the International Recommendations for Competitions in Architecture and Urban Planning adopted by the General Conference of UNESCO on 27 November 1978. 

With a total prize fund of €560,000, the competitions are one of the largest architectural design initiatives in the world and present architects with the opportunity to bring their vision for effective and affordable housing to life in one of several countries around the world.  Any registered architect may enter the competitions regardless of his or her location in the world.

The winning entry for each country is chosen by an internationally renowned jury panel and is awarded a prize of €50,000 in addition to a contract to complete their building designs for construction. An honorarium of €10,000 is awarded to the remaining short listed firms who were invited to submit designs for the competition. The jury will seek out designs that highlight the efficient and effective use of steel in sustainable housing solutions.

The first competition was launched in Istanbul, Turkey, on July 6, 2005, at the XXII World Congress of the International Union of Architects, with the call for expressions of interest to design sustainable housing in Kolkata, India and Warsaw, Poland. In June 2006, UK firm Piercy Conner Architects and architectenbureau cepezed from the Netherlands won the competition and were awarded contracts to complete and develop their designs for construction in India and Poland, respectively.

The second competition was announced on World Architecture Day on October 2, 2006, with expressions of interest from architects being sought before 12 January 2007. Short listed firms will be notified in February 2007 and will be invited to submit designs by 14 May 2007 for one of the project locations in Brazil, China or the United Kingdom. Winners for the competition will be announced in September 2007.

The jury panel for the competition is comprised of chairman Glenn Murcutt, Charles Correa, Andrew Ogorzalek, Jaime Lerner, James Berry and Nicholas de Monchaux.