SHARE Architecture Awards Festival 2025 | Dornbirn, 3–4 December
Celebrating Architectural Excellence Across Central and South-Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia
This December, Dornbirn becomes the international meeting point for architectural excellence as it hosts the SHARE Architecture Awards Festival, the Austria edition, on 3–4 December at the remarkable Zumtobel Light Forum. The festival brings together architects, industry leaders, developers, institutions, young professionals, and academic voices in a dynamic two-day program blending presentations, exhibitions, debates, and the celebration of outstanding architectural achievement.
A Cultural Platform Highlighting the Most Significant Architectural Projects of Central and South-Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia
Founded to celebrate architectural excellence and provide international visibility to the creative vitality emerging from Central and South-Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, the SHARE Architecture Awards stand apart as a cultural platform rather than a conventional competition.
The initiative promotes dialogue between tradition and innovation, heritage and contemporary expression, encouraging architecture’s role as a transformative force in shaping the social, urban, and environmental fabric.
Held under the patronage of the SHARE Architects Society, the Awards reflect the Society’s commitment to building a professional community grounded in responsibility, creativity, and cultural authenticity — connecting regional identity with the global architectural discourse.
2025 Edition: 114 Finalist Projects from 20 Countries
The 2025 edition marks a significant milestone. 114 projects from 20 countries have been invited to the live jury stage, spanning the categories of Completed Buildings, Interior Design, and Future Projects.
These finalists showcase bold, sustainable, and contextually sensitive approaches, highlighting an increasing interest in urban regeneration, cultural and educational architecture, social housing, and the adaptive reuse of built heritage.
The international jury is co-chaired by Martha Thorne (Spain) – former Executive Director of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, and Peter Murray (United Kingdom) – Founder of New London Architecture, alongside a distinguished panel of architects: Ana Flor (Design Principal, Studio Gang, USA), Habibeh Madjdabadi (Founder, Habibeh Madjdabadi Architecture Studio, Iran), Yevgeniya Pozigun (Senior Associate, Zaha Hadid Architects, UK), François Valentiny (Founder, VALENTINY hvp architects, Luxembourg), Rainer Schmidt (Founder, Rainer Schmidt Landschaftsarchitekten, Germany), Fernando Menis (Founder, Menis Arquitectos, Spain), and Oskar Norellus (Partner, White Arkitekter, Sweden).
A Comprehensive and Internationally Visible Program at the Zumtobel Light Forum
The Dornbirn edition introduces one of the most content-rich and dynamic programs to date, bringing together over 200 projects presented live by leading architects from Southeast Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. The program is enriched with keynote lectures delivered by significant voices in contemporary global architecture, including special guest Spencer de Grey, Senior Partner and Head of Design at Foster + Partners.
It further features four parallel stages dedicated to presentations, debates, and interdisciplinary dialogue, the SHARE Awards Ceremony and Gala celebrating architectural excellence, curated exhibitions, and a vibrant social and cultural program offering exceptional opportunities for networking, exploration, and exchange.
Highlighting Bold Urban and Architectural Agendas from Emerging Countries
The Urban Vision Stage brings together a diverse lineup of notable national representatives and leading urban visionaries—from Uzbekistan’s Chief Architect Saidazim Sharipov and Kazakhstan’s AlmatyGenPlan Director Akshat Saduov to Mongolia’s Chief Architect Tugsdelger Chinbat and Pristina Mayor Perparim Rama—creating a dynamic platform where countries present their most ambitious urban strategies and transformative development agendas.
Research Innovation Takes the Spotlight at SHARE Awards
A major highlight of this year’s festival is the showcase of pioneering research institutions brought together through the SHARE Architecture Awards. The programme spotlights some of Europe’s most visionary innovation hubs, with contributions from Foldcast Sagl (Switzerland), ILEK – Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design (Germany), ETH Zurich’s Vaulted AG (Switzerland) and Impact Build (Switzerland).
Their work presents a compelling look at the future of building: from paper-based formwork that drastically cuts concrete waste, to adaptive lightweight structures, robotic construction using natural materials, and bold experiments in unreinforced masonry.
Hosted inside the innovative Zumtobel Light Forum, the festival benefits from a venue celebrated for its experimental approach to light, design, and material research.
Located in one of Austria’s most vibrant industrial and cultural hubs, it provides an exceptional backdrop for showcasing cutting-edge architectural work.
The SHARE Architecture Festival is powered by Zumtobel and organised by SHARE Architects under the honorary patronage of the SHARE Architects Society. With the support of its Gold Sponsors — Aluprof, Alukönigstahl, Everest, and Turkish Stones — and its Silver Sponsor — Fibrobeton— the festival continues to expand its impact within the architectural community. Creative support is provided by LOOM and Echo, while World-Architects (www.world-architects.com) amplifies its international reach as Media Partner.
Information and tickets: awards.share-architects.com
About SHARE Architects Society
The SHARE Architects Society is a dynamic international community uniting architects, engineers, and construction leaders to inspire innovation and promote excellence in architecture. Active in more than 20 countries across Central and South-Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East, Society fosters an ecosystem of ideas, collaboration, and professional growth through international forums, conferences, competitions, and awards.
With thousands of professionals engaged annually, SHARE has become a vibrant network of inspiration, dialogue, and recognition. Through its events, publications, and strategic partnerships, the SHARE Architects Society transforms architecture into a catalyst for cultural, technological, and human progress—connecting visions, people, and cities through a shared commitment to building beautifully and responsibly.