When Craft Meets Code: Architizer’s Global Tour Continues With A+Awards Event in Paris

In partnership with Material Bank Europe | Polygood | Release AEC

As Paris enjoyed its final autumnal days, architects, designers and creative leaders gathered for an evening that intertwined dialogue and celebration. Hosted in collaboration with Release [AEC], the event followed a lively day of live demos of the latest software that is reshaping the AEC industry, in addition to a series of fascinating keynote presentations by industry leaders who are writing the new narrative about AI and creativity in the profession.

When dusk settled on the city, the Architizer’s A+Awards regional celebration began with a live panel titled Hidden Technologies: Rethinking Technology in Contemporary Architecture. Far from focusing on digital tools alone, the discussion explored how innovation in architecture often lies in restraint — in knowing which technologies will truly transform a project and which should be left aside.

The iLab set up by Bentley Systems invited users to interact with Cesium, Unreal Engine, Generative Al, Meta Quest 3 and the iTwin platform | Photo by Philippe Servent

The panel brought together three A+Award-winning practices whose work embodies distinct approaches to design and technical intelligence. Isabel Van Haute, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Coldefy, discussed the firm’s approach to four very different designs aimed at very distinct contexts, including the A+Award-winning Fondation Chine. Next, Philippe Croisier, Co-Founding Architect of Atelier du Pont, shared insights from their Pavilion Jardins at Parc de la Villette, a “low-tech” bioclimatic structure that proves traditional passive systems can outperform complex mechanical ones. Finally, François Chatillon, Founder and Chief Architect for Historical Monuments at Chatillon Architectes, revealed how advanced digital modeling informed the painstaking restoration of the Grand Palais, enabling precise interventions while preserving its historic integrity.

Francois Chatillon describes his firm’s restoration of Paris’ Grand Palais | Photo by Philippe Servent

Together, these perspectives set the tone for the evening — one defined by material intelligence, technological curiosity and a shared belief in architecture’s power to connect. All of this came together as a fitting context for a night of celebration, conversation and connection in conjunction with the 14th Architizer A+Awards season, which is now open for entries.

Submit to the 14th Architizer A+Awards

Setting the Stage

Photo by Philippe Servent

As the panel concluded, attendees transitioned into the Architizer A+Awards Paris Celebration, marking the second stop on the A+Awards’ new global tour, following the inaugural event in New York City. The evening honored three Project of the Year winners from across Europe and Africa — projects that represent not only technical ingenuity, but also a deep engagement with culture, craft and community.

Opening the celebration, Hannah Feniak, Architizer’s Managing Editor, welcomed guests and reflected on the evening’s theme: “Tonight, as we celebrate design innovation, it feels especially fitting to be gathered here, at an event dedicated to sparking conversation and sharing knowledge about the innovations that are reshaping our industry… To highlight the immense impact of good architecture, and to communicate the value of this vital profession to people around the world.”

She also previewed the program’s future direction, introducing the next A+Awards theme: Architecture’s New Era of Craft. “In the face of rapidly advancing technology and the evolving expectations of clients, we’re seeing architects reclaim their role as makers through material intelligence and the art of detailing.”

Craft and Community in Mallorca

Marc Alventosa, Joan J. Fortuny and Xavier Morell of Fortuny-Alventosa Morell Arquitectes | Photo by Claire Jaillard

The first Project of the Year Award was presented by Marc Solsona, Head of Strategy at Material Bank Europe, who introduced 6 HPP Ses Veles Puigpunyent by Fortuny-Alventosa Morell Arquitectes. The six-unit public housing complex on the island of Mallorca revives traditional Mediterranean construction methods — lime, stone, ceramics and timber — to achieve near-zero energy use and an architecture deeply rooted in place.

Accepting the award, Joan Fortuny, Xavier Morrell, and Marc Alventosa spoke of the project’s quiet radicalism: “We are truly happy that an international award like the A+Awards shines a light on a project that may not seek visibility through a spectacular image, but through the depth of its process.”

“The design process was guided entirely by the criteria of the site, reusing materials from its own excavation and from the island itself,” they continued. “No other materials were involved in the process, which means truly recovering the building culture of the place, while achieving a very low CO₂ footprint. This circular approach reinforces our belief that sustainability is not only ecological, but also social and cultural.”

They closed with a reflection that resonated throughout the evening: “We are especially proud that this is a social housing project. Housing must return to being a basic right, not a financial instrument. Architecture can be a tool for change.”

The Dignity of Infrastructure in Cape Town

Jan-Dirk van der Walt and Gustav Roberts of SALT Architects | Photo by Philippe Servent

Next, Philippe Brocart, Founder of Release [AEC], took the stage to present the Project of the Year Award to SALT Architects for the Cape Flats Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) Plant in Cape Town, South Africa — a critical infrastructure project that purifies water and recharges the city’s aquifer. The design, expressed through brick and concrete, gives architectural dignity to the unseen systems that sustain urban life.

In their acceptance remarks, Gustav Roberts and Jan-Dirk van der Walt reflected on the social and moral dimensions of their work: “The Aquifer Recharge Plant reflects a deep shared value of care — about how we choose to build, and what that says about us as a society. Every act of construction contributes to our shared culture. The way we design, the attention we give, and the dignity we bring to even the most functional buildings, reflects how we see our future and who we want to be.”

They added: “Celebrating these infrastructure systems allows citizens to notice where their water comes from and how their city works. It turns something technical into something people can relate to and take pride in.”

Craftsmanship Reimagined in Montmartre

Julien Labrousse of Policronic | Photo by Philippe Servent

The final Project of the Year Award of the evening went to Hotel Elysée Montmartre by Policronica, located just a short metro ride away from the event venue. Introduced by Lucia Stroetzel, head of Architect Relations at Architizer, the project was celebrated for its radical material circularity — transforming eucalyptus, an invasive species and fire risk, into refined joinery through a self-developed solar vacuum drying process. The design not only revitalizes a long-abandoned building, but it also showcases the beauty of technical ingenuity and the value of challenging material processes — even if they may seem entrenched. The 16-room hotel unfolds as an immersive study in woodcraft — every surface, fixture, and furnishing conceived, fabricated, and installed by the studio’s own design and production teams.

Accepting the award, Julien Labrousse, Founder of Policronica, shared his gratitude and perspective: “It is a tremendous honor for the Policronica studio to receive an Architizer Award. This project embodies our total commitment to sustainability and craftsmanship. It proves that architecture can unite design and production, creating work that is locally made, technically rigorous and deeply human.”

A Celebration of Craft and Connection

alvarez | sotelo were named Jury Winner for the Best Young Interior Design Firm | Photo by Claire Jaillard

Tsou Arquitectos pick up their award for Casa da Levada in Penafiel, Portugal, which was the Jury and Popular Choice Winner for Sustainable Private House | Photo by Claire Jaillard

Closing the evening, Hannah Feniak returned to the stage to thank the partners — Release AEC, Material Bank Europe and Polygood — and to commend all of the 13th A+Awards season’s winners for their creativity and conviction: “By sharing your knowledge through your work, you inspire architects across the globe to strive for better buildings, better cities, and a better world.”

As guests clinked their glasses and mingled amongst one another, conversations continued late into the night — between young architects inspired by the talks, established practitioners discussing process and politics, and designers exchanging ideas for the next competition cycle.

DA bureau was named Jury Winner for the Best Interior Design Firm | Photo by Claire Jaillard

DEED Studio clinched Jury Winner in Architecture +Photography and Video for their series on the Process Department of Shamim Polymer Factory, Tehran, Iran | Photo by Claire Jaillard

The Paris celebration marked not just another milestone in the 13th Architizer A+Awards season, but also a clear statement of purpose: that architecture’s future lies in the integration of technology, craft and community Next, the journey continues to Shenzhen, where Architizer’s global celebration of architectural innovation will conclude the season amid one of the world’s fastest-growing hubs of experimentation — closing out a season that proves design excellence knows no borders. Stay tuned for stories on more winners’ celebrations in the coming weeks!

All of this is encapsulated in the theme of the 14th A+Awards season, which is now open for entries:

Submit to the 14th Architizer A+Awards

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