Young talents shape the future with responsibility and context
The SIA Master Prize for Architecture 2025 showcases a new generation that not only reflects on social, ecological and cultural issues, but also translates them into concrete spatial strategies. The award ceremony took place in southern Switzerland for the first time and the Università della Svizzera italiana was honored for the first time. The award-winning works demonstrate a design approach that rethinks existing structures and sees architecture as an active force for social development.
The award-winning projects focus on transformation instead of tabula rasa. Existing places, materials and social structures are not replaced, but rather built upon and re-contextualized. This approach reflects a change in the profession. Analysis, research, field studies and the examination of local realities are an integral part of the design process. Architecture is understood as a precise reaction to complex framework conditions, with a clear awareness of social responsibility and resource conservation.
New choice of location, new perspectives
By holding the competition in southern Switzerland for the first time, the focus has shifted to regional identities and academic diversity. At the same time, the award for a project from the Università della Svizzera italiana marks a milestone for architectural education in Ticino. The jury recognized 31 Master’s theses, evaluated by renowned experts. The decision criteria reflected technical depth, spatial sensitivity and the ability to develop design clarity from complex contexts.
Projects that open up spaces and strengthen communities
Whether harbor area in Basel, contaminated industrial zones in Portugal or barns in alpine communities, the award-winning projects address real challenges and offer socially anchored solutions that are close to their intended use. They create meeting places, strengthen local production cultures, rethink rural spaces and experiment with temporary uses as an urban strategy. Images, models and drawings serve not only as representations, but also as research tools to make design processes transparent and comprehensible.
A generation with attitude and vision
All the works are united by a common ethos: repair instead of replacement, context instead of icon, cooperation instead of solitaire. This attitude stands for a concept of architecture that focuses on collective sustainability. The award ceremony made it clear that young architects are prepared to take responsibility and actively participate in the spatial transformation of our built environment. The self-image of the profession is thus developing further towards moderation, mediation and social commitment, without sacrificing aesthetic ambition.