The New European Bauhaus Prizes

Housing Europe has been presenting best practice in different ways throughout the years. Today, the European Commission is in search of awarding inspirational examples that link inclusiveness, sustainability and aesthetics, and we believe that the Federation's network is very well-placed to enter this competition.

With Housing 2030, the joint initiative of Housing Europe, UNECE and UN-Habitat, the Federation has been creating a reference and guidance for sustainable inclusive housing systems. The Housing Evolutions Hub has been putting in the spotlight the most innovative projects in the sector. The Responsible Housing Awards has been celebrating with the International Union of Tenants (IUT) exemplary projects together with tenants.Our work for a fair Energy Transition through Our Homes Our Deal is looking at the different aspects of the EU Green Deal, and its accompanying initiatives, the Renovation Wave, the Affordable Housing Initiative, the New European Bauhaus. Last but not least, the Housing Solutions Platform is capturing examples of initiatives that support those who are failed by the system.

Together with the Green Deal and the Pillar of Social Rights, the New European Bauhaus is yet another flagship EU initiative which goes to the heart of our mission at Housing Europe. It is now a joint responsibility to turn these high-level initiatives into a force which will lead to a multiplication of those projects that make a positive difference in peoples’ lives.

The Housing Europe team remains ready to support the membership with more information on the prizes, and ensure that truly inspirational projects from the sector reach a wider audience.

Contact us if you have any questions on the call below.

 

What is the objective of the New European Bauhaus prizes?

The first New European Bauhaus prizes will showcase good practices, examples, and concepts that clearly illustrate the New European Bauhaus values of sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion. These examples must either already be implemented, or - if from students and young professionals (aged 30 or under) – should pave the way to the future.

The prizes should serve to exemplify the core pillars of the initiative, and therefore inspire its further development.

What types of projects are eligible?

The New European Bauhaus prize will reward existing examples or new ideas and concepts under ten different categories.

In each of the categories, there are two parallel competition strands:

• The “New European Bauhaus Awards” - for existing completed examples; and
• The “New European Bauhaus Rising Stars” - for concepts or ideas submitted by young talents

Applications must demonstrate why and how the example or project/concept represents or embodies the three main values underpinning the New European Bauhaus initiative – aesthetics, sustainability and inclusion - as well as an analysis of its innovative dimension. In addition, for the ‘Rising Stars', applicants must present the steps foreseen for the further development or implementation of the concept or idea.

What are the categories for the prizes?

1. Techniques, materials and processes for construction and design - examples of solutions for our built environment to contribute to mitigate climate change, environmental protection and making places more affordable and inclusive.

2. Building in a spirit of circularity - exemplary places/physical sites that demonstrate the re-use and recycling of materials; a core element of the European Green Deal.

3. Solutions for the co-evolution of built environment and nature - showing how the built environment may contribute to the protection of nature and biodiversity, taking into account cultural and social needs.

4. Regenerated urban and rural spaces - emblematic examples of territorial regeneration that combine sustainability, aesthetics and inclusion, and that were developed with a large participation and deep involvement of citizens and stakeholders.

5. Products and life style - products and processes that contribute to a sustainable, attractive and inclusive lifestyle. It may be fashion, or furniture, or interior design, but also food or other elements of our daily life.

6. Preserved and transformed cultural heritage - successful examples of cultural heritage that has been put into value in the spirit of sustainability, aesthetics and inclusiveness.

7. Reinvented places to meet and share - inspirational examples of how spaces can be used for positive exchanges and community-building.

8. Mobilisation of culture, arts and communities - to illustrate the impact of the arts for sustainable community building. It may be events, festivals, cultural performances that bring communities together.

9. Modular, adaptable and mobile living solutions - innovative solutions of interventions/housing that respond to temporary, emergency needs with high aesthetic and sustainable standards.

10. Interdisciplinary education models - education models and methods that integrate the values of sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics in the content of the curricula and in the learning process.

Who can apply for the New European Bauhaus prizes?

Both EU and non-EU nationals can apply, as long as their concept, idea and projects are actually developed and/or physically located in the EU. Joint/partner and consortia type applications are possible too, with the same criteria for EU-based projects.

Young people, under the age of 30 on 31 May 2021 can apply for both competition Strands – the New European Bauhaus Awards and the New European Bauhaus Rising Stars. 

Project promoters who are over 30 years of age can only apply for the New European Bauhaus Awards.

Can only tangible, physical projects apply for the prize or also concepts and ideas?

The first competition strand, ‘New European Bauhaus Awards', will be devoted to existing examples of projects. These projects must have already been completed at the time of the application. Concepts, prototypes and solutions (tools, methods, ideas) that have not been implemented in real contexts are not eligible.

However, these projects do not necessarily have to have a physical manifestation in the form of a building or a material product. For certain categories, they can also take the shape of realised/implemented methodologies or processes, such as, for instance, education models or cultural projects.

The second competition strand, ‘New European Bauhaus Rising Stars' will be devoted to concepts or ideas submitted by young talents aged 30 or less. The concepts/ideas under this strand can be at different stages of development from the early concepts to prototype level, and should be presented with a development plan, outlining planned steps to further develop, promote and/or implement the concept/idea with a particular focus on the year following the application.

Will you support rising stars winners to turn their ideas into reality?

The communication package received by the Rising Stars is meant to help the winners turn their ideas into reality. For example, the production of a short documentary can serve to increase public awareness about the project, explaining not only its results but also the whole process behind it.

Similarly, coaching the winners on how to pitch their project will increase their chances to secure further support and funding. 

What are the award criteria? 

The award criteria are differentiated between the two strands and include:

a) Exemplary character of the project in the selected award category, including how the core values of sustainability, aesthetics and inclusion have been pursued and combined

b) Demonstrated results/impacts of the project in relation to what is expected under each category or for the ‘Rising Stars' relevance, quality and credibility of the development plan

c) Innovative dimension in relation to mainstream practices.

And for the already realised examples:

d) Citizen engagement & involvement. Specific value will be given to the quality of the involvement of citizens and civil society.

e) High potential for transferability to different contexts of the idea, concept or project.

How will the winners of the New European Bauhaus prizes be selected?

The selection process will be in four stages:

1. review of applications and eligibility assessment;

2. online public vote on all eligible projects ;

3. assessment of the top three most voted projects per category, in each strand by a jury composed of the New European Bauhaus Partners (by 31 May 2021); and,

4. the evaluation committee will establish the list of the selected winners.

The selection of the winners will be organised and scrutinised by the evaluation committee.

What is in the prize package?

The winners in each category and each strand will receive a monetary amount (one winner per category in each strand): 

-         €30,000 for winners of the New European Bauhaus Awards, and

-         €15,000 for winners of the New European Bauhaus Rising Stars.

All winners will also receive a communication package (e.g. paid media promotion, production of a short documentary, how to pitch the project). 

For More Information

New European Bauhaus webpage