BigMat International, a European group of sales outlets for building and home renovation materials, has announced the 18 finalists in the running for the 2015 BigMat International Architecture Awards.
Selected from a total of over 700 projects, the shortlisted works, all of which had to be completed by 31/12/2014, were assessed by a jury chaired by Jesús Aparicio and Jesús Donaire (secretary), and made up of Olivier Bastin (Belgium), Martin Rajnis (Czech Republic), Antonio Ortiz (Spain), Henry Ciriani (France), Francesco Dal Co (Italy) and Manuel Aires Mateus (Portugal).
The winners of the National Award (5,000 euros) for each of the participating countries, the Grand Prix (30,000 euros) and the Young Architects Special Mention will be revealed in Berlin on 20 November.
The award puts the spotlight on works that have made a contribution to contemporary architectural culture in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Belgium. It also pays tribute to their links with timeless aspects of the history of architecture, and with the modern considerations of energy efficiency, sustainable building and the search for improvements in the comfort and habitability of residential, commercial and institutional buildings.