The Living Places - Simon Architecture Prize is a Simon initiative that has had the support and advice of the Fundació Mies van der Rohe since it began.



 

Its purpose is to recognise excellent architectural projects (including interiors, public spaces, and landscapes) that heighten the comfort of the people visiting them. Architecture that becomes a valued place for people in their day-to-day lives: to work, learn, wait, play... Architecture to live in!



 

The prize was launched in 2016 as part of Simon's centenary celebration, and is held every two years. The first two editions received more than 200 videos from candidates in more than 15 countries, including Mexico, Poland, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, among others. This reaffirms the international aspect of the competition and its two organizers.

 

(Photo: Transformation of 530 dwellings block G-H-I, Bordeaux, France, Lacaton&Vassal, Bordeaux, France, Frédéric Druot, Christophe Hutin)

The two prize categories are Collective Places and Personal Places, reflecting an interest in architecture designed and understood with the residents' point of view in mind, centring on the experiences that put the spaces, as well as their designs and choices, to the test.

The jury will select 5 finalists for each category, and 1 winner from each group of finalists. The creators of the winning projects will receive a monetary prize of €10,000.

Additionally, among all the audiovisual pieces submitted, the one that has best captured the audiovisual narrative will be selected, and the author of it will be commissioned to create a new piece about architecture.

(Photo: Full moon, Olot, Spain, Unparelld'arquitectes)