APE Grupo has officially launched the fourth edition of its Architecture Awards, a global competition that recognizes exceptional architecture and interior design projects utilizing the company’s ceramic materials. This year marks the return of the contest, which invites architects and designers to submit work completed in the last five years. Submissions are open to professionals from all nationalities, including setting architects, renovation specialists, and multidisciplinary teams. The organizers emphasize that eligible projects must significantly incorporate products from APE Grupo brands such as APE, Carmen, XLINING, or Ilbagno.
International Scope and Jury
The awards aim to highlight the versatility of ceramics in contemporary design. Previous editions have drawn entries from across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, featuring projects from countries like the Czech Republic, the Dominican Republic, Romania, Belarus, Serbia, France, and Spain. These submissions demonstrate how ceramic materials function in diverse climates and cultural contexts, proving their durability and aesthetic range. A distinguished panel of jurors will judge the entries for this cycle. Architect Sol Madridejos, co-founder of Sancho-Madridejos, will chair the committee. Her portfolio includes works displayed at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in London, and the Venice Architecture Biennale. Joining her are Gerard Sanmartí, co-founder and managing partner of Lagranja Design, and Susana Babiloni, president of the Castellón Association of Architects (CTAC).
Gerard Sanmartí brings significant international recognition to the panel, leading a studio that has secured prestigious accolades including the Red Dot Awards, IDEA Awards, and Architizer A+ Awards. The collective expertise of these jurors ensures a rigorous evaluation of the diverse entries received. This cycle maintains the inclusive nature of the competition by welcoming architects, interior designers, setting architects, and multidisciplinary practices of any nationality to participate.
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Prizes and Submission Details
Winning projects will be awarded a cash prize of €5,000. Entries must be submitted by Nov. 13, covering new-build projects, refurbishment schemes, individual spaces within larger developments, and temporary installations. The previous edition attracted 53 submissions, with the winning project being “House on a Brick Plinth” by Ágora Arquitectura. The jury praised this Barcelona-based project for successfully transforming two existing structures into a contemporary proposal that honors the memory of the site.
Competition organizers clarify that eligible works must be completed and make significant use of ceramic materials from one of APE Grupo’s specific brands. In addition to the top prize, the previous cycle awarded honorable mentions to House O by Xstudio (located in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands) and WMF Showroom by Parch Studio (in Belgrade, Serbia). Winners will be announced in early 2025. Full details regarding the entry requirements and competition rules are available on the official website. Visit the APE Grupo Architecture Awards page for more information.
