simon architecture prize

10 Years, Many Voices 📣

Over the past decade, the Simon Architecture Prize – Living Places has brought together a remarkable group of voices: jury members, participants, and collaborators who have shaped the spirit of the prize across its five editions.

From architects and designers to filmmakers and thinkers, this post gathers a selection of their reflections, highlighting what Living Places is all about: how spaces are used, felt and narrated.












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✨ Behind the Prize: The Visionaries Who Make It Possible ✨

The Living Places – Simon Architecture Prize is more than just an award.
It’s a celebration of spaces where life unfolds — spaces that foster connection, care, and belonging.

But behind every edition lies a meaningful collaboration between two visionary institutions that make it all possible:

🔹 Simon – A global company leading in lighting and connectivity solutions, Simon approaches space as an extension of user experience. Through innovation, design, and technology, it transforms everyday environments into sensorial, adaptable, and human-centered experiences.

🔹 Fundació Mies van der Rohe – A cultural cornerstone of architectural debate and research. Beyond its commitment to preserving the legacy of Mies van der Rohe and Lilly Reich, the Foundation continues to lead conversations on contemporary architecture, urban transformation, and the future of the built environment.

Together, they give life to the Living Places Prize — an initiative that recognizes not only architectural beauty, but spaces that are lived, shared, and emotionally experienced.

🏆 This is where architecture meets people.
Where the built space becomes a stage for everyday life.

📸 Swipe through to learn more about the institutions behind the prize.

💬 What makes a space truly livable for you? Tell us in the comments!

✨ What happens when architecture meets conversation? ✨

On June 17, 2025, we gathered at Casa de la Llum in Barcelona for a new edition of the Living Places – Simon Prize Talk, under the theme: Cooperating to Inhabit.

This special event brought together two visionary architects — Manuel Cervantes and Josep Ferrando — for a conversation about community, housing, and the social role of architecture, moderated by Laida Memba from the Fundació Mies van der Rohe

🏡 Manuel Cervantes presented KONTIGO, his award-winning housing project in Acapulco, a thoughtful response to local needs, built through empathy, modularity, and progressive growth.
📐 Josep Ferrando shared his method-based approach to architecture — one that embraces complexity, flexibility, and the ethics of design.

The evening unfolded with presentations, an inspiring conversation, and questions from the audience — all within the beautiful atmosphere of a space meant to be lived.

🤝 This event is part of the Living Places – Simon Architecture Prize, a collaboration between Simon and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe, highlighting architecture that connects with people and everyday life.

Scroll through to revisit some of the most inspiring moments of the evening — from the ideas shared on stage to the thoughtful conversations over the closing cocktail.
Because architecture is not just about buildings — it’s about how we live together.

📸 Thanks to everyone who joined us. See you at the next Living Places Talk!

Can architecture help build community? 🧱🌿
And what role do participatory processes play in designing livable spaces?

As part of the Architecture Weeks 2025, we invite you to a new edition of Living Places Talk, under the theme:
✨ Cooperating to Inhabit

A unique conversation to reflect on the role of architecture in transforming our surroundings through empathy, listening, and collaboration.

🗓️ With two outstanding voices:

🔹 Manuel Cervantes – Mexico City
Winner of the Personal Places category at the Living Places – Simon Architecture Prize 2024. He will share his project KONTIGO, a housing development designed to adapt to the real needs of families, with modular systems, progressive growth, and a strong relationship with the physical and social context.

🔹 Josep Ferrando – Barcelona
Architect, professor, and cultural leader. Director of Josep Ferrando Architecture, Dean of ETSALS, and cultural director at COAC. His work merges craftsmanship, academia, and strategic vision, exploring architecture as a flexible system guided by method, geometry, and efficiency to deliver unique, context-driven solutions.

💬 Together, they will discuss community-based design, participatory methodologies, and the use of video as a documentary tool in transforming environments.

🎟️ Free event with prior registration
📍 Full info at the link in bio

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👉 If you believe design can improve the way we live together, this conversation is for you.

We look forward to sharing ideas, inspiration, and debate in a space made to be inhabited (also through words).

At the Simon Architecture Prize - Living Places, we believe that great architecture should be seen, felt, and experienced. That’s why we are passionate about the power of video 🎥 to convey the transformative impact of architecture on our daily lives.

Why video is essential for architecture:

✅ It captures the essence of a space in a way that words cannot.
🙋 It showcases how people move and interact within a building.
💫 It highlights the unique materials and details that define a project.
💛 It creates an emotional connection with the viewer.

Video is at the core of the Simon Architecture Prize. Every project submission must include a video that tells 💬 its story. This requirement has resulted in outstanding and innovative filmmaking pieces that highlight the best of architecture 🏦 from around the world.

✨ A Night to Remember at the 5th Living Places – Simon Architecture Prize Granting Ceremony! ✨

What an inspiring evening at Phenomena Experience Cinema in Barcelona! 🏆 We celebrated architecture that creates a true sense of belonging, honoring outstanding projects and their visionary creators.

🎬 Guests enjoyed the screening of finalist and winning short films, showcasing spaces that connect with people in meaningful ways. The winners received the iconic Andreu Carulla-designed trophy , symbolizing Simon’s heritage and commitment to creating places to be lived in.

A huge congratulations to:

🏡 Estúdio Flume – Collective Places winner with Coconut Harvester Center
🏠 Manuel Cervantes Estudio – Personal Places winner with Kontigo
🎥 Cierto Estudio & B67 Arquitectes – Best Audiovisual Narrative for Quinze decibels

A special thanks to our incredible jury, led by Andrés Jaque , and to Salvi Plaja from Simon , for his invaluable contribution. 👏

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this unforgettable night! Until next time!

📸 Swipe to relive the best moments!

🏆 We have a winner! 🏆

The Living Places – Simon Architecture Prize 2024 granting ceremony is here! 🎉 Join us as we celebrate the projects that have redefined how we experience spaces in our daily lives.

📅 Date: February 12, 2024
⏰ Time: 18:30 h
📍 Location: Phenomena Experience, Barcelona

🎟 Don’t miss it—reserve your spot now through the link in bio!

🏆 The moment has arrived! 🏆

Join us for the Granting Ceremony of the Living Places – Simon Architecture Prize 2024 and celebrate the winner of this edition! ✨ A unique event to honor spaces that inspire and enhance our daily lives.

📅 Date: February 12, 2024
⏰ Time: 18:30 h
📍 Location: Phenomena Experience, Barcelona

🎟 Secure your spot now through the link in bio!

The Power of Audiovisual Narrative in Architecture 🎥🏙️

Architecture is not just about what we see—it’s also about what we hear, feel, and experience. The short film Quinze Decibels by Matilda Vidal de Llobatera, winner of the Audiovisual Narrative category in the 5th edition of the Simon Architecture Prize - Living Places, captures this idea beautifully, using sound as a storytelling tool to explore the urban transformation of Consell de Cent Green Hub in Barcelona, by and . 🌿🔊

This poetic audiovisual piece immerses us in the new acoustic landscape of a city redesigned for people rather than cars. Through careful sound design and compelling visuals, Quinze Decibels reveals the silent revolution happening in urban spaces—where noise fades and human interactions take center stage.

An inspiring example of how film can bring architecture to life! Have you ever thought about how sound shapes your experience of a place? 🎶

📢 Last call!

🌟 The Granting Ceremony of the Living Places - Simon Architecture Prize 2024 is just around the corner! Join us as we celebrate spaces that make us feel, live, and connect. ✨

📅 Date: February 12, 2025
📍 Location: Phenomena Experience, Barcelona.

🎟️ Get your ticket through the link in bio. See you there!