Are we winning?

Architecture prizes are a powerful tool for guiding the development of the architectural profession. Despite their proliferation in numbers, vocal protestations that juries award prizes on the basis of beautiful photographs rather than the physical experience of the buildings themselves, and warnings that prizes held in a hermetically sealed professional environment serve only their own end and are a mere promotional tool, their popularity never seems to wane, as they continue to garner media headlines. 

It seems that it is no longer clear what the purpose of architectural prizes is and what effect they are supposed to achieve. The most established architectural prize in Slovenia, the Plečnik Award, is awarded every year in May. On the occasion of the 2023 edition of the Plečnik Award, we will invite 2 LINA fellows to reinterpret the meaning and presentation of the most prestigious and long-lasting Slovenian architectural award. The invited LINA fellows will propose a project with a new critical reading of the 2023 Plečnik Award in Ljubljana. 

The LINA fellows' project will question and address the contemporary meaning and presentation of architectural prizes in the form of a workshop and research process, as well as an exhibition and participation in a roundtable discussion.

The participating fellows have been selected by a jury with representatives of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Ljubljana, the coordinator of LINA platform, and the Plečnik Fund, the organisers of the award.

About the Plečnik Award

The Plečnik Award is presented each year to a architecture created and completed by a Slovenian architect within the past five years in the fields of architecture, urbanism, landscape architecture or interior design. 

Alongside the main award, a secondary award, the Plečnik Medal, honours excellence in the fields of architectural theory, criticism and publication, or significant contributions to architectural culture and/or the promotion thereof.

A student award is also presented for outstanding achievements by students of architecture.

Collaboration with LINA fellows

LINA fellows Francesca Paola Beltrame and Tevi Allan Mensah were selected by the jury and invited to participate in developing the project. Through research and heading a workshop with students of the Faculty of Architecture, they will develop a perspective through which to view architectural prizes. They will present their work at a roundtable in Ljubljana on the occasion of the 2023 Plečnik Prize and further develop the project for the exhibition that is to take place in Ljubljana in June and July 2023.

Photo: Miran Kambič