The BigMat International Architecture Award 2025 has captured the attention of the architectural community across Europe, drawing more than 650 entries from a wide range of countries. This overwhelming response highlights the depth of creativity and the vibrant innovation present in today’s European architectural landscape.
As part of the award’s selection process, the esteemed international jury recently gathered in Madrid to carefully review the submissions. Their goal: to identify the projects that best reflect architectural excellence in all its dimensions.
After an intensive evaluation process, the jury has shortlisted a selection of projects that stand out for their outstanding design quality, environmental awareness, functionality, and thoughtful integration into their surroundings. These finalists embody the values of contemporary architecture and showcase the dedication of architects to shaping spaces that are both meaningful and forward-thinking. The list of finalist projects is as follows:
ARCHITECTURE CATEGORY
BELGIUM
• VDB – VERS.A sprl/bvba
• DUCHESSE -NOTAN OFFICE
• Het Steen Antwerp -noAarchitecten
• Marie Janson Plain – vvv architecture urbanisme
• Share and reuse factory – ATAMA
• University Campus -OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen
• Public Library -OFFICE Kersten Geers David Van Severen
• Memorial Garden – RESERVOIR A
• Standaertsite -ae-architecten
• Usquare Feder -BC architects&studies
• Gilly -CENTRAL office for architecture and urbansim
• Charleroi Palais des Expo -AgwA
CZECH REPUBLIC
• Úsilné football club cabins -re:architekti
• Automatic Mills Grain Silo Conversion -Prokš Přikryl architekti
• Sádrovna – Kocanda – ORA | Barbora Hora, Jan Hora, Jan Veisser, Maroš Drobňák
• Children’s Hospice House for Julia – ČTYŘSTĚN
• Reconstruction of the Pod kaštany marketplace in Zlín – ellement architects s.r.o.
• House with Seven Floors – Malý Chmel s.r.o.
• Nástavba Na Santince – Nacházel architekti
• URAN – Revitalization of the Liberec City Hall – re:architekti studio
FRANCE
• Lac du Temple nautical facility- Hérard & da Costa architectes
• Charles Nègre Media Library Grasse – IVRY SERRES ARCHITECTURE
• HOUSE IN THE WOOD-Exercice
• Innovation Hall -Studio Muoto
• VOLUMES CAPABLES – A6A
• Stereo – formalocal
• Renaissance of the Saint Francis Convent – Amelia Tavella
• Maison des étudiants du Campus de La Doua- Chaveneau Ohashi Architecte
• 60 LOGEMENTS, PAUL MEURICE – LA ARCHITECTURES
• Caen Castle – A New Museum Campus – AAPP/ Atelier d’architecture Philippe Prost
ITALY
• The Schifanoia Museum – QB Atelier SRL – STP
• ECHO OF THE MOUNTAIN – ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTURE
• STONES VENUE – ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTURE
• Padiglione MAXXI NXT – Grazzini Tonazzini
• Spluga Climbing Gym -ES-arch enricoscaramelliniarchitetto
• LANDHUB – FLO STP srl
• Narrow House – Lorenzo Guzzini
• Restoration of Grattacielo at Porta San Pietro- ZAA Zamboni Associati Architettura
• A VOID TO SHARE – RigonSimonetti
• CIMeC 10 – Campomarzio
PORTUGAL
• MARECHAL 720 – Correia/Ragazzi Arquitectos
• cookie cutter retreat – fala atelier
• MONTIJO MUNICIPAL GALLERY’S GARDEN – Bak Gordon Arquitectos
• TIC Terminal Intermodal de Campanhã- brandão costa arquitectos lda
• Carcavelos Health Complex -Simão Botelho Arquitetura
• Flores – Fabio Baldo
• Laje Football Field – Miguel Marcelino
• Facilities for the Parque Terra Nostra – Pedro Maurício Borges
• Educational pavilion and Chicken coop – Serralves Foundation – depA architects
• House over the hills -Diogo Aguiar Studio
• Casas da Encosta – SIA arquitectura
• HOSO -OODA
SLOVAKIA
• City Hall – zerozero
• Podun – kuklicasmerek+
• The first phase of the revitalization of Námestie slobody in Bratislava – 2021 s.r.o.
• Interior of P. O. Hviezdoslav regional library in Prešov – bistan architekti
• SOM Store – D415
• RECONSTRUCTION AND EXTENSION OF THE SLOVAK NATIONAL GALLERY – Architekti BKPŠ
SPAIN
• DH PALENCIA – FRPO Rodríguez & Oriol
• 25 viviendas dotacionales en Palma de Mallorca -HARQUITECTES
• 67 Social housing units in Illa Glòries, Barcelona – Vivas Arquitectos
• GREEN HOUSE – Anna & Eugeni Bach
• RAW ROOMS- EARTHEN HOMES 43 social housing – PERIS+TORAL ARQUITECTES
• Canals i Junyer 2.0 – Carles Enrich Studio
• Casa Bonanza – Plantea Estudio
• Escuela Nacional de Sanidad – Mónica Alberola arquitecta
• Intervenciones en el Real Monasterio de Santa María de Sijena. – PEMÁN Y FRANCO ARQUITECTOS / SEBASTIÁN ARQUITECTOS
• Recovery of the Public Spaces of Nebra -Porto do Son- Carlos Seoane González
• La Nave – Atienza Maure Arquitectos
• Nahinuena – bear arquitectos scp
PROXIMITY CATEGORY
BELGIUM
• KURTH – OLIVIER FOURNEAU ARCHITECTS
CZECH REPUBLIC
• Lazyhouse Zlin – Petr Janda / brainwork
ITALY
• Infiorate di Pietra – Massimo Berzetta Architetto
PORTUGAL
• house of many faces – fala atelier
• Casa do Quintal – Miguel Marcelino
• Agro-industrial complex in Estremoz- A&A, Arraiolos Associados, Arquitectos Lda.
SLOVAKIA
• SJK Pavilion – studeny architects
• OSEMDESIATKA – Hubinský atelier
SPAIN
• Rehabilitación del palacio Zarautz como nuevo equipamiento cultural – VAUMM
• Llacuna building – Arquitectura-g
• Costa house – Arquitectura-g
• Ca na Birgit – TEd’A arquitectes
• Casa Castelar – Solar.xyz
• Córdoba Public Library – Paredes Pedrosa Arquitectos S.L.P.
• HOUSE X – BOJAUS Arquitectura S.L.
• An Invisible House in Realejo – elisa Valero
Note: No project was selected from France for the proximity category.
Although the selected projects have already been reviewed by the jury, anticipation continues to grow as the official announcement of the finalists is set for September. This highly anticipated moment will bring together architects, professionals, and design enthusiasts from across Europe, creating a unique opportunity for exchange, celebration, and dialogue within the architectural community.
More than just a competition, the BigMat International Architecture Award 2025 seeks to highlight architectural excellence while also sparking inspiration for the next generation of architects. By showcasing the selected works and ultimately unveiling the finalist projects, the award underscores the power of visionary design to address the pressing challenges of our time and contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive, and well-integrated built environment.
BMIAA 2025 JURY PANEL
This edition’s Panel of Judges brings together some of the most talented architects in Europe today. Joining Jesús Aparicio (Award President) and Jesús Donaire (Award Secretary) will be Oana Bogdan (&bogdan), representing Belgium, Anne Lacaton (Lacaton & Vassal), representing France, Francesca Torzo, representing Italy, José Neves, representing Portugal, Martin Jančok (Plural), representing the Czech Republic and Slovakia and María Langarita (Langarita-Navarro), representing Spain.
The awards panel shall adopt decisions by majority vote from among its seven voting members.
Jesús Aparicio, founder of Jesus Aparicio Architectural Office and Professor at the Technical University of Madrid School of Architecture, he has a triple approach to architecture, through research, teaching and professional practice.
Jesús Donaire, founder of Jesús Donaire Architecture + Communication Office and Professor of Technical University of Madrid School of Architecture and visiting Professor at Politecnico di Milano since 2016. His professional work has been awarded internationally, highlighting the ENOR awards on two occasions, LLEDÒ, COAM Madrid, ASCER for Ceramic Architecture.
Oana Bogdan is the founder of the Brussels-based practice &bogdan. She challenges the traditional role of the architect, believing the profession’s skills can navigate many areas of life. Her work focuses on spatial conditions for collective living and public debate. She has also served as Secretary of State for Cultural Heritage in Romania and Chair of the Netherlands Creative Industries Fund Committee for Architecture.
Martin Jančok is an architect at PLURAL (Bratislava, Slovakia), a studio emphasizing architecture’s social and cultural relevance. Established in 2009, PLURAL works on projects ranging from exhibitions to urban planning. Recently, it won the competition to design the Prague Emergency Medical Service building. Jančok also teaches at the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava.
Anne Lacaton co-founded Lacaton & Vassal in 1989. The Paris-based firm focuses on public buildings, housing, and urban planning, with a commitment to sustainability, reuse, and social impact. Notable works include the Palais de Tokyo in Paris and modernist housing transformations. She has taught at institutions including ETH Zürich and Harvard GSD. Awards include the 2021 Pritzker Prize and the EU Mies van der Rohe Award in 2019.
Francesca Torzo has led her Genoa-based studio since 2008, designing projects across Europe and China. Her practice blends architecture, art installations, and furniture. She studied at TU Delft, ETSAB, AAM, and IUAV, and worked with Peter Zumthor. She teaches at Bergen School of Architecture and the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio. Her extension of Z33 House of Contemporary Art in Hasselt won multiple awards and was a 2022 Mies van der Rohe Award finalist.
José Neves founded his practice in 1991 after working with leading Portuguese architects. He has taught architecture since 1988 and is a visiting professor at ISCTE. His work, recognized with awards such as the SECIL Architecture Award (2012) and Valmor Prize (2011), reflects a balance between tradition and contemporary design.
María Langarita is an architect, researcher, and lecturer at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. She co-founded Langarita Navarro in 2005. The Madrid-based firm has won awards such as the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture Special Mention and the FAD Architecture Award. Their work is part of the Centre Pompidou collection and has been featured in 2G magazine.
