Beyond the Prize

‘Beyond the Prize’: How Architecture Awards Can Catalyse Meaningful Change 

A moderated discussion hosted by the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, the Holcim Foundation Awards, the EUmies Awards, the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize, the OBEL Award and the Ammodo Architecture Award

For the first time in this constellation, a consortium of prestigious international architecture awards, alongside globally renowned architects with a relation to the prizes, will convene on Friday, 9 May 2025, at TBA21–Academy’s Ocean Space in Venice, to critically reflect on the purpose, impact and trajectory of awards amid pressing planetary, social and environmental challenges. Taking a starting point from this year’s theme of the Venice Biennale 2025 — collective intelligence and the need for a fundamental shift in rethinking the practice and production of our built environment — the moderated discussion, titled ‘Beyond the Prize’, will emphasise the urgent responsibility of architecture awards to transcend mere recognition and serve as catalysts for meaningful change.

A TIMELY CONVERSATION Architecture is instrumental in shaping the world we live in — a world under increasing pressure from conflict, climatic events and societal demands. Architecture awards play a crucial role in recognising excellence and setting benchmarks, and, therefore, it is important to shine light on those leading with optimism and setting new standards for recognising architecture's potential in dealing with today's challenges. ‘Beyond the Prize’ offers a unique forum to critically examine the role of prize-giving today. Challenging existing models, questioning their impact, and understanding how awards remain relevant in a rapidly changing landscape are all key conversations of the event, with lasting reflections continuing well beyond Venice.

Ivan Blasi, Director, EUmies Awards: “While awards are essential for highlighting architectural excellence, it is crucial to discuss their role in shaping discourse, setting standards, and driving innovation in the field. The current global context demands a reassessment of what we value and reward in architectural practice.”

“Awards have the potential to tell meaningful stories and showcase innovative examples that inspire change,” adds Marleen van Driel, Director of Architecture, Ammodo Architecture Award. “By engaging in dialogue about the criteria and impact of these awards, we can explore how they can add value to the built environment and contribute to addressing the pressing issues of our time.”

HOW TO ENSURE IMPACT AND INFLUENCE Architecture prizes have grown steadily since the early 20th century, rising from fewer than twenty before 1960 to an exponential surge from the 1980s onward. This proliferative phenomenon invites us to take a critical distance to question what awards are meant to embody and symbolise in the current architectural discourse. It becomes a question of ethics and principles — including rigour, critical evaluation, and long-term impact — to uphold the value of architectural prizes as instruments of meaningful recognition and potential drivers of progress.

"Architecture awards play a crucial part in platforming architectural innovations. Prioritising socially conscious practices and environmental stewardship is key if we truly want to make an impact as awards”, explains Jesper Eis Eriksen, Executive Director, OBEL Award. “We need to critically ask ourselves, as a collective of awards, if we're going in the right direction to stand behind what we're all advocating for.”

“It’s important to highlight exceptional works and people that elevate the architectural discourse — those who are not following vogues but set new trends”, emphasises Farrokh Derakshani, Director, Aga Khan Award for Architecture. “While communications has evolved dramatically, this shift also encourages a future where awards prioritise authenticity, impact, and architectural excellence.”

A CALL FOR COLLABORATION No single award can fully capture the complexities and pluralities of contemporary architecture. As the profession becomes more interdisciplinary and interconnected, collaboration between prizes is essential to amplify impact and share knowledge. 

“As a collective, we must explore how different awards can learn from each other and build synergies that amplify our impact,” says Dirk Denison, Director, Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize. “By fostering partnerships, we can expand the reach and effectiveness of our initiatives and create a stronger, shared framework for supporting architectural excellence.”

“We want to use this forum to help raise the standards for rewarding sustainability in this important profession by unpacking the value of best practice as a knowledge-sharing collective”, explains Laura Viscovich, Executive Director, Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction.