The architects' council calls for awards that value social impact
The Superior Council of Colleges of Architects of Spain (CSCAE) has launched the second call for its Architecture Awards. These awards seek to recognize built works that stand out for their social commitment and their ability to improve people's lives, prioritizing this aspect over mere aesthetic value. 🏆
Rules that reward architecture with purpose
Entries can be submitted in five specific categories. An international jury will analyze how each project built in Spain addresses contemporary challenges. Solutions that are replicable and generate tangible and measurable benefits for the community are valued.
Categories for submitting projects:- Habitat and housing: Residential solutions that improve quality of life.
- Public space and city: Interventions that regenerate the urban fabric.
- Heritage and memory: Projects that dialogue with history and preserve it.
- Innovation and technology: Application of new techniques and materials in a sustainable way.
- Cooperation and development: Initiatives with a strong social and solidarity component.
It seems that finally an architecture award where the jury not only measures who makes the most photogenic building, but the one that best solves where to put the recycling bins.
Evaluation criteria and jury
The jury will specifically evaluate how the works respond to global challenges such as the climate emergency, social cohesion, or universal accessibility. The focus is on the real and positive impact that architecture can generate in its environment.
Main criteria that will be valued:- Addressing the climate crisis with efficient design strategies.
- Promoting inclusion and cohesion among citizens.
- Ensuring that spaces are accessible to all people.
- Demonstrating that the architectural solution is applicable in other contexts.
- Presenting data that measures the benefit provided to the community.
Deadlines and projection of the awards
The deadline for submitting projects is open until March 31. Architects of any nationality can participate, as long as the work is built in Spanish territory. The winners will be announced at a public ceremony in June. These awards are consolidating as a platform to make visible a conscious architecture that prioritizes collective well-being over other aspects. 📅