A competition for the development of a 6,000sq m (64,583sq ft) visitor attraction based on the fairytales of Hans Christian Andersen has been launched in Odense, Denmark.

Part of a downtown regeneration of Odense, the contest comes two years after an initial contest kicked off on the same site for a ‘House of Fairytales’.

Transborder Studio, Rodion Kitaev and London-based Leith Kerr Architecture were named winners of the previous contest, and have been encouraged to compete for the new contract, a completely new development to be linked with the existing museum.

The museum, based on the life and times of Hans Christian Andersen, opened in 1908. It sits inside the home of the legendary author, who create such fables as The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Little Mermaid and The Ugly Duckling.

The city-centre attraction will, according to the contract notice, create empathy, imagination and play to form the basis for learning about the author’s fairytale world. Around 6,000sq m (64,583sq ft) of new spaces will be created – most of which will be below ground – and 325sq m (3,498sq ft) of existing buildings will also be adapted.

Five teams will receive €20,000 (US$22,000, £14,000) each during the first stage of the competition and finalists will receive an additional €27,000 (US$30,000, £19,000) to compete in the final round.

Entries may be completed in English, Danish, Swedish or Norwegian and the deadline for applications is 5 August.