The 20th anniversary edition of the Architecture Student Contest will be held on the Saint-Gobain Group's home turf, where young architects will once again face the challenges of sustainable construction. Students will have to combine modern technologies with the traditions of the Nord-Isère region of France, proving that the future of architecture is based on harmony between innovation and heritage. What specifically will the task consist of?
The Saint-Gobain Architecture Student Contest is a two-stage competition aimed at architecture students. It was launched in 2004 in Serbia and each year attracts the attention of young people from all over the world, giving them the opportunity to face real design expectations on a national and international level.
The main task of the participants is to develop sustainable architectural designs that respond to real challenges related to the environmental and economic aspects of the site, the functionality of the solutions and the needs of the users. Each edition focuses on a specific region - this year it was the Finnish capital Helsinki. In the international finals, Polish representatives from Wroclaw University of Technology - Aleksandra Tądel and Magdalena Strauchmann - took the honorable second place for their project "Rurban Habitat".
Thereare many benefits to participating in the Architecture Student Contest - such as the opportunity to explore a new urban and cultural context, as the location of the competition plot changes each year, allowing students to understand different architectural environments and the needs of locals, which can be very different from those known in their own country, the finalists explain, then add: - Don't be afraid to compete! Although the scope of the competition may seem overwhelming, with the help of promoters and team members, you will definitely manage. If possible, try to make the competition project a semester or graduation project as well. This will allow you to fully focus on your work, using your time efficiently. Architectural competitions are not only a chance to win prizes, but, more importantly, an opportunity to learn, develop skills and meet inspiring people from the industry.
"Rurban Habitat" - Aleksandra Tądel, Magdalena Strauchmann, Wroclaw University of Technology, supervisors: dr. Eng. arch. Elżbieta Komarzyńska-Świeściak and Dr. Eng. arch. Marek Lamber
© Saint-Gobain
Architecture Student Contest 2025 will address the transformation of the Nord-Isère region in France, which is at a crossroads between preserving its heritage and adapting to contemporary challenges of sustainable development. This time, the competition task contains two parts. In the first, a modern building must be proposed on the site of the Les Grands Ateliers experimental center. The building is to serve as a living space for students and professors, and its design must take into account aspects of thermal, acoustic or light comfort, as well as the energy efficiency of the entire structure. The students should also propose solutions related to renewable energy sources and take care of circularity of resources and reduction ofCO2 emissions.
The second part concerns the revitalization of a former school building in Chimilin. In this case, you need to design a multifunctional space for local associations and organizations, bringing the building back to life in a way that will primarily serve locals. The design should be flexible and modular - with the possibility of future adaptations. Participants will have to find a way to combine contemporary building solutions with the historic character of the village.
The anniversary edition requires prospective architects not only to take a creative approach to design, but also to align their ideas with significant changes in the region, such as the development of the Lyon-Turin high-speed rail infrastructure. The carefully crafted rules of the competition articulate a special emphasis on acquiring knowledge and developing skills in sustainable construction that responds to global climate challenges and the problem of dwindling natural resources.
For more information, visit the company's Saint-Gobain Glass page on the A&B portal.
