The Living Places—Simon Architecture Prize, an initiative of Simon curated by the Fundació Mies van der Rohe, invites entries for its 2024 edition. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding architectural projects that enhance comfort and improve daily quality of life for their inhabitants, whether in interiors, public, domestic, or landscape spaces.
Focusing on the inhabitant’s perspective, the primary submission format is video, considered the most effective medium to convey the atmosphere and essence of the architectural works to the general public. The kickoff video for this fifth edition, titled “El Luchador” (The Wrestler), created by RA! Arquitectos, was recognized as “Best Audiovisual Narrative” in 2022. Set in the historic Taller de Arquitectura of Agustín Hernández in Mexico City, the short film illustrates the transformative power of dream spaces to fulfill the desires of their inhabitants. Inspiration can be drawn from previous winners, available for viewing online.
Jury Composition:
•Andrés Jaque: PhD Architect, writer, and curator
•Amanda Sans: Filmmaker and screenwriter
•Verena Von Beckerath: Architect and professor
•Gabriela de Matos: Architect and urban planner
•Salvi Plaja: Industrial designer, Global Chief Design Officer at Simon, and president of FAD
Award Categories and Prizes:
The prize is divided into two categories:
1. Collective Places: Spaces for community and public life.
2. Personal Places: Spaces that embody privacy and comfort.
Each category will have five finalists, with one winner selected per category. Winners will receive a monetary award of €10,000 and a trophy designed by Andreu Carulla. Additionally, a special jury recognition will be awarded to the audiovisual piece with the best narrative.
Submission Procedure:
•Entry is free of charge.
•Open to completed works in use between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023, within European territories, Mexico, and Brazil.
•Pre-registration (nominations) are open until September 16, 8pm GMT+2. Nominations can be made by architects, urban planners, landscape architects, and the general public.
•Registrations (submissions only by the authors) are open until September 30, 2024, 8pm GMT+2.
•Finalists will be announced in November 2024, and winners will be revealed in December 2024. The award ceremony will take place in February 2025.
The Living Places—Simon Architecture Prize continues to celebrate architecture that significantly enhances everyday living, encouraging innovative and thoughtful designs that positively impact people’s lives.
