Conversion of a Wine Storage into Housing, Basel (Esch Sintzel Architekten) / © Paola Corsini

A Model for Future Architecture Awards

The SIA will present the Prix SIA 2024 award in Brussels in April. The award’s format also sends a strong signal to Europe.

Since the early 2000s, the introduction of sustainability criteria in the construction and planning sectors has led to a marked increase in interdisciplinary architectural competitions in Switzerland. Concurrently, the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects (SIA) has realigned its core values. This development is also reflected in the format of the Prix SIA award.

Unlike most national, European or industry-specific architecture awards, the Prix SIA does not focus on individual architects and their designs. Instead, it recognises and honours innovative and interdisciplinary projects and processes. These projects contribute to a high-quality Baukultur and the sustainable design of Switzerland’s built environment. Submitted projects are assessed according to the Davos Baukultur Quality System. The Prix SIA’s approach therefore signals a new awards culture in Europe.

The 2024 edition of the Prix SIA also highlights the importance of competition procedures in fostering a commensurate culture of recognition. Half of the shortlisted projects – including the winning project – were the outcome of interdisciplinary processes.

To exchange thoughts about the relationship between competition practices and architectural awards, the Swiss Embassy in Brussels is therefore hosting an event on 22 April 2026 at the Swiss Ambassador’s residence. The Network SIA International is organising this event in collaboration with the SIA and the Embassy of Switzerland in Belgium, with support from the European Platform for Architectural Design Competitions (ARCH-E).

Programme

5.30 p.m.  |   Doors open

6.00 p.m.  |   Welcome by Jacques Pitteloud, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Switzerland to the Kingdom of Belgium 

Moderation: Simon Hubacher, Board Network SIA International, Architect/Urban Planner, Cologne

Introduction: Prix SIA, a model for future architecture awards, Laurindo Lietha, Head of Procurement and International Affairs, SIA

Panel Discussion
Daniel Fügenschuh, Architect, Innsbruck, President Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE), President Bundeskammer der Ziviltechniker*innen (BKZT)

Ariana Korlaet, Architect, Zagreb, Deputy President Chamber of Croation Architects (HKA), ARCH-E Project Partner

Miyuki Inoue, Architect, Zurich, winner of the AnotHERVIEWture AWARD

Li Mei Tsien, Architect/Urbanist, Brussels, Co-President Fédération Royale des Sociétés d’Architectes de Belgique (FAB)

Closing Statement
Reto Gmür, Board Member, Conférence Suisse des Architectes (CSA), Board Member Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE)

7.00 p.m.  |   Reception/Apéro Riche