From the initial stage of the Concrete Design Competition bureaubakker has been involved in this initiative. In collaboration with the European cement associations we developed its format. Since then we have led the content and publication aspects of the competition as well as managing the master classes. We develop together with the different curators the themes and master class programs, edit the books and operate as intermediair between the industry, educational institutes, curator and master class staff.

The International Concrete Design Competition for Students is a biennial ideas and design competition for students in architecture, engineering, design and affiliated disciplines. It is organized and funded by a consortium of European cement and concrete associations and open for students subscribed in an educational institute in one of the participating countries.

The International Concrete Design Competition for Students aims at promoting innovative design attitudes related to the use of concrete as a material and a technology. It is characterized by its format: each competition cycle is framed by a theme designating a specific property of concrete. This theme is selected and directed by a curator of international renown, writing the assignment and offering personal insights and ambitions. Nationally chosen laureates are invited to participate in an international master class led by the curator and his team. The master class continues the investigation of the theme. An elaborate publication presents the competition and master class results and offers further exploration of the cycle’s focus.

The International Concrete Design Competition for Students is material based. It focuses design attitudes towards material as a design-leading phenomenon. It does not prescribe ‘traditional’ design requirements like programme, location or typology. It asks participants to explore and exploit the potential of the material in a design-led environment. They are invited to approach the material from within its own merits and to push its potential to 'realise' developed ideas. It asks to present these ideas through design proposals. Ideas can only show their merits when they are applied. The choice of a design topic or programme is free. It should be chosen such that it presents the participant’s ideas as accurately as possible and can range from building details to large structures, landscape projects or building complexes.

The International Concrete Design Competition for Students is ‘open’ for adaptations. It's character offers a platform for material research and design that can either be approached individually as a complete assignment or it can be incorporated within 'host' design and research assignments and thus becoming part of existing curricula.