The “European Architectural Medals for the Best Diploma Projects” is a European competition that each year honours outstanding achievements in the transition from education to profession in architecture. The organisers of the award is the European Association for Architectural Education (EAAE), a non-profit organisation dedicated to architectural exchange within Europe, The Architects' Council of Europe (ACE), which represents the interests of over 565,000 architects throughout Europe, and the University of Architecture and Urbanism Ion Mincu (UAUIM) in Romania. The objective of the competition is to stimulate discourse on the training of architects, to raise awareness about the challenges of future architecture, and to improve quality standards among European and international architecture schools.
Strong international competition
This year, 156 projects were submitted for the European Architectural Medals by students from 29 countries. Following an initial review by the jury, 30 projects were selected for the shortlist. Not only innovation and originality were evaluated, but also the responsible and sustainable use of social and environmental resources. Dalal Elarji (currently a PhD student of Professor Peter Staub) secured a place in the first selection round with her project “Back to the Garden!” at the Studio Dietrich Schwarz. Back-to-the-Garden proposes a re-engagement with the landscape, aiming for a balance between human needs, natural resources, and a self-sufficient community lifestyle.
