Categories

The climate and environmental crisis forces us to rethink the ways in which we design and transform both our built and unbuilt environment. Building sustainably now requires us to adopt a holistic approach: from the sourcing of materials to the conditions of their use, from land-use efficiency to energy efficiency, and from the evolution of uses to the reuse of materials and constructions. The production of space is therefore part of a long-term process and must take into account the complete life cycle of buildings and their environmental impact.

This category awards projects that address these challenges through:

• Sustainable use of resources and materials;
• The selection of low-energy, low-carbon, recycled, upcycled, reused, and bio-sourced materials;
• Innovative and responsible soil and water resource management;
• Low or negative energy consumption and the use of renewable energy sources harmoniously integrated into the built environment;
• Measures that promote the preservation of biodiversity and coexistence with other species;
• The integration of vegetation into the built environment, the diversity of vegetation layers, the use of local or native plant species, and the creation of green networks or ecological corridors.

Architecture is rooted in a disciplinary heritage founded on the art of building and the culture of design. Constructive thinking is therefore inseparable from architectural intention. The quality of an architectural work or structure cannot be measured solely by its conceptual or formal value, it also depends on the accuracy of its execution and the attention paid to construction details.

This category awards projects that stand out due to:

• Their construction quality;
• The precision of construction details;
• The structural, spatial, and economic coherence – and the connection between the three;
• The innovative and relevant use of materials.

Existing urban fabric represents a valuable heritage that bears witness to our history as well as construction techniques, social dynamics, economic considerations, and political challenges of the past. The conservation, transformation, and reuse of the existing built environment not only help to preserve architectural and urban memory, but also to reduce the environmental impact of constructions. Against the backdrop of an accelerating environmental crisis and the depletion of resources, existing buildings are a resource in their own right.

This category highlights:

• Transformations which are particularly respectful of nature, history, and the architecture of the existing built environment;
• Projects which help to enhance and preserve architectural heritage, whether listed, protected, or not;
• Projects which stand out for their harmonious and respectful integration into the existing urban fabric and/or natural environment.

Architecture and urban planning shape social life by influencing how residents meet, interact and live together. The configuration of architectural and urban spaces can help to promote inclusion, diversity, and social cohesion in the long term.

This category awards projects that:

• Foster interaction and social dynamics within high-quality architectural and/or urban environments;
• Exceed regulatory requirements to make architecture and public spaces accessible to as many people as possible;
• Have contributed to the creation of long-term initiatives;
• Encourage social diversity and inclusion.

Architectural practice goes beyond mere project management. Theoretical projects and works play a full role in shaping the discourse, debates and thinking within the discipline. Representation has also taken on a new dimension, evolving from a communication tool and an interface between designer and builder to a critical, political and mediating instrument. Documentation – whether monographic, encyclopaedic, historical or visual – forms an essential part of architectural culture, alongside other media.

This category aims to celebrate the diversity of architectural practices by awarding projects that play an active role in the architectural debate and in promoting the discipline, i.e.:

• Theoretical or prospective projects that offer a critical perspective of architecture, urban planning, and/or landscape design;
• Representations which stand out due to their quality, originality or narrative capacity;
• Research work associated with architecture, engineering or urban/spatial planning;
• Documentation on architecture (films, books, photos, etc.);
• Architecture exhibitions which address contemporary issues or specific historical periods.