The theme of the XVII Edition: sustainability, flexibility and adaptability
The 2026 edition takes on a particular significance, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Award. In this context, the theme is enriched with a highly contemporary vision, placing emphasis on projects and research oriented towards flexibility of use, adaptability over time and the reversibility of the construction elements.
Particular emphasis will therefore be placed on theses that propose solutions capable of evolving over time, favoring the recovery and future reuse of materials and building systems, in response to the environmental, social and economic transformations underway.
Who can participate
The Award is open to individual candidates or groups who have discussed, in the last three years (with a date no earlier than February 2023), one of the following papers:
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree thesis
- Doctoral or specialization thesis
- Master’s theses or post-graduate training courses
The theses must have been carried out at Departments of Architecture, Engineering, Design or equivalent training institutes based in Italy. It is not possible to submit projects that have already competed in previous editions of the Award.
The Award categories and recognitions
The total prize money for this edition amounts to 9,000 euros, divided between the following categories:
- Sustainable architecture
- Technologies and components for sustainability
- Sustainable urban and landscape design
Each winner will be awarded a gold medal, while the Jury may also award a silver medal for each category. In addition to the economic recognition, the Award represents an important opportunity for visibility and valorisation of project research work, encouraging dialogue between the academic and professional world.
Deadlines and methods of participation
Participation in the Award involves two distinct steps:
- Registration for the competition by March 3, 2026, by completing the online form;
- Sending the requested materials by April 30, 2026 (11:00 pm), according to the methods indicated in the Prize announcement.
The section dedicated to theses confirms the role of the Fassa Bortolo Italian Sustainable Architecture Award as a privileged observatory on the new generations of designers, called to deal with central themes for the future of architecture and cities. In a historical moment in which design is increasingly called upon to respond to complex environmental, social and climatic needs, the Award presents itself as a tool for cultural stimulation and recognition of the value of research.
For further information
prizearchitecture.it
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