The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has officially launched a National Architectural Design Competition for the New Islamabad Convention and Exhibition Centre (ICEC) — envisioned as the largest and most advanced convention facility in Pakistan.
The project, located at the Jinnah Convention Center site, will span 6.84 acres (33,100 sq. yards) with a built-up area of approximately 300,000 sq. ft. The facility will include multi-layered parking for over 500 vehicles, G+4 or G+5 floors, and smart, climate-resilient infrastructure designed to host hybrid and global-scale events.
Key Features
The ICEC Master Plan will feature:
- Convention and exhibition halls covering ~300,000 sq. ft. (20% ground coverage)
- Integrated multi-layered parking for 500+ cars
- Future-ready smart technologies for hybrid/global events
- Green, sustainable, and climate-resilient systems
- Hospitality and service amenities aligned with international standards
Competition Framework
The CDA invites PCATP-registered architects and design firms to submit entries that demonstrate architectural innovation, contextual sensitivity, sustainability, and modern design excellence.
Timeline:
- Competition Launch: September 2025
- Submission Deadline: October 15, 2025
- Evaluation & Jury Review: November 2025
- Results Announcement: December 2025
Evaluation Criteria
Entries will be assessed by a professional jury based on the following weighted criteria:
- Architectural Excellence & Innovation: 25%
- Functionality & Flexibility: 20%
- Sustainability & Smart Integration: 20%
- Cost Efficiency & Buildability: 15%
- Cultural & Contextual Relevance: 10%
- Presentation & Clarity: 10%
Submission Requirements
Initial Submission:
- Digital (PDF & CAD files)
- Physical (two A2 table sets of submission packages)
After Shortlisting:
- Two A1 panels on lightweight boards + bound report
- QR-coded USB drive with editable files
Intellectual Property & Rights
- All submissions become the property of the CDA.
- Winning designs may be refined in consultation with CDA.
- A fair honorarium will be awarded to shortlisted participants.
Strategic Goal
The ICEC aims to position Islamabad as a regional MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) destination by reducing pressure on the existing Jinnah Convention Center and offering a future-ready, sustainable, and globally competitive venue.
Contact & Submission
For detailed guidelines, visit www.cda.gov.pk
Contact:
- [email protected]
- 051-9252103
- WhatsApp: 0370-9353317
Stop wasting resources
We already have convention centre and also old assembly hall in islamabad.
Also big hotels available for meetings and conferences so to build new convention centre totally waste of public funds,
Please spend this money on public health projects
Brother do you know about next Generation projects, we can’t host a 100 countries heads conferences at the same place
Last finishing payments are still pending 😂😂
it’s a good initiative in capital city, Please include 5* hotels in it, bring all top of the line brands at 2 to 3 floors, increase its floor plan G+ Tallest building of Pakistan, tunnel linked with red zone , linked with golf course, 5 helipad, increase its area should be 40 acres, Environment protected building, one stop chair lift from Margalla hills to venue, SSS structure, make mukaab style building, a smart city solution, mosques, 3000 plus car parking, bomb proof, missile resistant, Air crash resistant building, Underground deep ventilation building, redundant structure, only international consultants allowed, Sound proof, multilayers–multi-purpose Auditoriums. Outdoor display Screens, Archive Room, ….it’s my concept about this building, This building should assist UN level conferences and highest security level building, also I can assist to provide all these facilities under one roof in Pakistan.
No need of such Competition, it shows we don’t know our direction.
Already convention centre is exist so why are wasting huge money on another one? No need to built-up new one