As part of Wood 2010, an exhibition on the climate, sustainable cities and wood architecture, due to begin 9 May 2010, the Virserum Art Museum in Sweden is releasing an international call for Architecture of Necessity.

The call is a demand for a new approach to architecture and construction based on sustainability, equality and responsibility.

"In the media-controlled globalised society, architecture is increasingly becoming an implement for competition and the desirability of locations," say the organisers. "Architecture becomes icons whose aim is to cause sensation. Poor city planning and property speculation result in social divisions, long journeys and waste of resources. Human construction and habitation are key causes of environmental decay and climate change. The problems are global, as is the financial crisis that has plunged the world into recession."

Virserum Art Museum is inviting architects from all over the world to submit examples of Architecture of Necessity. An international jury of architects will award three honourable mentions to the best contributions, to be announced in August 2010. Submissions do not have to involve the use of wood.

According to the Museum Architecture of Necessity is 'responsible, diligent, sustainable, just and open'.

All submissions will be exhibited in Sweden's largest continuous exhibition space at the Virserum Museum from 9 maj–19 september 2010 at the Museum before travelling through Sweden, Scandinavia and the rest of the world.