The University of Canberra and the Gallery of Australian Design have announced a competition for the Lodge which is the Prime Minister's official residence in Canberra with a prize pool of $120,000.

The competition will be launched on Australia Day 2013 and will be open until 31 May which is the anniversary of the first Prime Minister moving into the Lodge.

Canberra was originally designed through a competition held in 1912 and the organisers of this latest competition are looking for creativity and a permanent place for the Prime Minister.

"A design ideas competition explores opportunities for projects that may or may not be built.  This is a competition for a building of national significance.  It will generate the widest possible range of design solutions and stimulate valuable discourse about who we are and our expectations for the future." 

"The objectives of this latest competition are to demonstrate the creativity and depth of talent of Australia’s designers and to showcase Canberra as a symbol of our identity as a democratic nation.  It is entirely appropriate that the centenary of the naming of Canberra should be marked by exhibitions of design ideas for the permanent official residence of the Prime Minister." 

For more information visit: http://www.canberra.edu.au/100/calendar/lodge