Applications are being accepted from 27 April for the BigMat International Architecture Award ’23, the biennial European prize that has been constantly updated since 2013 to become increasingly pertinent to the world of architecture.
This edition continues the path that began in 2021 – with almost 1000 candidate works – moving in the direction of recognition of design quality even in ‘everyday’ contexts. The BigMat group, founded in 1981, is specialized in Italy and Europe in sales channels for the distribution of materials for construction, refurbishing and renovation.
Melopée School by XDGA, Ghent – Photo © Maxime Delvaux
Melopée School by XDGA, Ghent – Photo © Maxime Delvaux
The award has been created to support quality architecture in all its various forms, sustaining works that are capable of contributing to redesign the urban landscape with spaces that convey a series of values: innovation, sustainability, comfort, habitat wellness and energy efficiency.
Pirelli Learning Center by Onsite Studio, Milano © Filippo Romano, Hélène Binet
BMIAA ’23 calls for the assignment of two Grand Prizes for Architecture, each with a value of 30,000 euros: for large works of architecture, and for “small-scale residential architecture.” The latter category covers single-family houses (new construction or refurbished/expanded) and residential projects for a maximum of 12 housing units and/or a maximum of 1200 sqm of total construction.
Pirelli Learning Center by Onsite Studio, Milano © Filippo Romano, Hélène Binet
Works can be submitted to the competition if they were built between January 1st 2019 and January 1st 2023 in Belgium, France, Italy, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Spain, the countries of operation of the BigMat brand.
Each of the seven participating countries will receive a National Award for Small-Scale Residential Architecture and a National Award for Architecture, for a total of 14 assigned prizes (1500 € each).
Casa O Fieiro by Arturo Franco, Mazaricos/La Coruña – Photo © Alfonso Quiroga
Casa O Fieiro by Arturo Franco, Mazaricos/La Coruña – Photo © Alfonso Quiroga
Two projects will be selected from this list, one per category, to receive the international awards (30,000 €). There will also be a Special Mention for young architects under 40. The awards ceremony is held in November 2023.
The images, courtesy of BMIAA, show the winning projects from the 2021 edition of the awards.
