The ECC’s collaboration with the Fundació Mies van der Rohe continues to deepen, and once again this year is hosting the Young Talent exhibition at Palazzo Mora, presented as an official Collateral Event of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia. The exhibition, titled “Intelligens. Talent. EUmies Awards Young Talent 2025”, has been open since May and highlights outstanding student projects that respond to contemporary architectural challenges with intelligence, creativity, and care. On the day of the ceremony, the exhibition was enriched with new models of the winning works, offering visitors a closer look at the spatial and conceptual depth of each project.

The ceremony unfolded across Palazzo Michiel and Palazzo Mora, beginning with award presentations and discussions, and concluding with an evening of celebration. The event was more than just a prize-giving, it became a dynamic platform for debate, exchange, and inspiration, centred around four thematic pillars: Artificial, Natural, Collective, and Intelligens.

The winners of this year’s edition reflect a generation unafraid to tackle complexity. Their projects delve into themes of ecological fragility, spatial justice, and the reimagining of public infrastructure:

Brave New Axis by Spyridon Loukidis, Markos Georgios Sakellion, and Georgios Thalassinos (National Technical University of Athens) reconfigures the historical grid of Athens to create new spatial connections that promote inclusivity and mobility.

Forest & Phoenix by Carolina von Hammerstein and Vera Kellmann (Technical University of Berlin) proposes a hybrid infrastructure designed to mitigate forest fires, emphasising ecology and public space.

Hotel Interim by Andreas Stanzel (Bauhaus-Universität Weimar) explores the power of temporary use and transformation, turning a condemned hotel into a learning hub.

Finally, the Young Talent Open award, an initiative of the Fundació Mies van der Rohe, was presented to James Langlois (University of Westminster) for Poolside Politics, a bold reclamation of an abandoned municipal pool in Marseille as a symbol of civic empowerment and radical municipalism.

Each award was accompanied by a conversation between the winners and jury members, offering insight into the thinking behind the projects and reflecting on the broader implications of architectural practice today. A video message from Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport, honoured the finalists and reinforced the critical role of architecture in shaping Europe’s future: more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.