Organised by the UIA in collaboration with UNESCO, the Young Architects Competition ‘The Future Of The Profession – Empowering The Next Generation In Participatory Urban Design’ invited young architects to imagine visitor centres that reimagine cultural heritage through participation, sensitivity, and site-specific innovation. A total of 139 proposals were received from 45 countries.

This competition was conducted in accordance with he UNESCO Standard Regulations for International Competitions and the UIA best practice recommendations.

The jury awarded five prizes and four honourable mentions. All projects will be published online on the UIA website, with winning projects exhibited at Palazzo Zorzi (Venice) from 8–15 May 2025. The official awards ceremony took place on 7 May 2025.

1. First Prize – W[oa]ndering Medina 

Competitor Radical-J
Team Leader Amath Luca Diatta
Team Members Greta Allegretti, Letizia Allegretti, Pietro Brunazzi, Elena Paccagnella, Stefano Tremolada
Country Italy

2. Second Prize – Under the Winding Hill

Competitor CDH Team
Team Leader Bui Minh Chau
Team Members Nguyen Thi My Duyen, Pham Nguyen Gia Huy
Country Vietnam

3. Third Prize – Tulou Consolidation

Competitor Distortion Studio
Team Leader Davide Contran
Country Italy

4. Fourth Prize – Golden Gates

Competitor DENARA
Team Leader Francesco Rambelli
Team Members Nicolò Calandrini, Mirko Tavaniello Boresi
Country Italy

5. Fifth Prize – Visitor Center at Quebrada de Humahuaca

Competitor AAtlas
Team Leader Mateo Boasso
Team Members Laura Paz
Country Argentina

The jury also awarded honourable mentions to the following:

PROTECTED by ANCIENT by Sinelnikova Olga with Semen Egorov, Liia Akhmerova, Anastasia Sergeeva (Russia)

by Sinelnikova Olga with Semen Egorov, Liia Akhmerova, Anastasia Sergeeva (Russia)

Light over the Kasbah by Vladimir Obrosov with Olga Erukova (Russia)

by Vladimir Obrosov with Olga Erukova (Russia)

Shibam Cultural Center Sculpting earth, raising skyscrappers by Georgia Rozani with Panagiota Raitsou, and Amalia Kasampali (Greece)

by Georgia Rozani with Panagiota Raitsou, and Amalia Kasampali (Greece)

Digital Heritage Hub: Preserving Delos Beyond Time by Giorgios Tsikalis (Greece)

by Giorgios Tsikalis (Greece)

Facts & Credits
Title The Future Of The Profession – Empowering The Next Generation In Participatory Urban Design 
Typology Young Architects Competition
Organiser UIA in collaboration with UNESCO


RELATED ARTICLES