Do We Still Need Architecture Awards? Highlights from the "Beyond the Prize" Discussion Forum in Venice, Italy

During the opening week of the 19th Venice Architecture Biennale, a consortium of six major architecture awards, including 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, convened at TBA21–Academy's Ocean Space for a critical discussion titled "Beyond the Prize." This forum aimed to reflect on the role, relevance, and future potential of architecture awards amidst pressing social and environmental challenges. ArchDaily attended the public event and took the opportunity to ask the participants: What would the field of architecture look like if we stopped organizing architecture awards?

Studentville Housing / andre kong studio

Andre kong studio has completed 'Studentville', a new thread in Lisbon's architectural fabric, redefining the standards of student accommodation. Located in the lively neighborhood of Palma de Baixo, near Universidade Católica, Studentville sets a new benchmark for design-focused living spaces, thoughtfully crafted to enhance the student experience.

House Around The Oblique Column / RENESA Architecture Design Interiors Studio

Designed by Renesa Architecture Design Interiors Studio, the House Around the Oblique Column is a 12,000 sq ft farmhouse nestled on an acre of land in New Delhi, India. Conceived for a family of three, the G+1 structure blurs the boundary between artistic ambition and residential practicality. At its core stands a dramatic oblique concrete column—both a structural necessity and a sculptural gesture—which becomes the narrative and spatial anchor of the home.

Letting the Sky In: 4 Case Studies of Daylight Solutions in Aquatic Architecture

Condensation, maintenance, and humidity are three familiar challenges that continue to test the buildings we design and construct. Whether stemming from climate conditions, limited airflow, or the specifics of construction detailing, these factors affect not only the durability of materials but also the everyday comfort and performance of inhabited spaces. When the setting is an aquatic center or an indoor swimming pool, the demands are even greater. The constant presence of steam, moisture accumulation, and the risk of mold can compromise both energy efficiency and the user experience. In such environments, ventilation and access to daylight, beyond their aesthetic value, become essential tools for maintaining equilibrium, enhancing indoor comfort, and ultimately improving how the space is perceived and utilized.

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