Clearly, there is no shortage of architecture awards. With the regularity of a Swiss cuckoo clock, many cities, companies and professional organisations honour buildings or architects. And rightly so, because we can never talk enough about architecture! However, an architecture prize is much more than just an awards ceremony. This is demonstrated once again by the Brussels Architecture Prize, an initiative of the Brussels-Capital Region organised by A+ in collaboration with Urban. The first edition in 2021 was a resounding success and immediately set the tone for this new edition. Indeed, beyond simply handing out awards, this prize aims to raise questions. It is a means of examining the pressing social issues of today through the prism of the built environment. Because architects and urban planners are at the heart of society. Whether it’s affordable housing, sustainable construction, climate transition, the circular economy or quality public spaces with enough room for pedestrians and cyclists, it’s all about space. The architect’s vision of these urgent issues has a major impact on the face of a city. And when all this is preceded by responsible, high-quality demands from clients and a progressive and innovative architectural policy, we can reach new heights!

In this respect, Brussels, as the country’s largest city and the capital of Europe, a welcoming city and a multicultural melting pot, must set an example. It also has all the assets to achieve this: an attractive economic position, numerous public and private developers, and a large group of talented architects. This translates into impressive architectural output, which did not escape the attention of the international jury of the Brussels Architecture Prize. ‘I am impressed by the quantity, quality and diversity of the projects submitted,’ said Danish architect Dorte Mandrup, chair of the jury. The projects nominated for this prize demonstrate once again that architects do not shy away from difficult issues and do not shy away from complex urban situations, hyper-density, alternative construction methods and inclusive participatory processes. The difficult and constantly changing spatial conditions specific to Brussels make the city a laboratory where experimentation – provided it is given room to breathe – can become the model for tomorrow’s construction, thus constituting a breeding ground for the next generation of architects.

This prize honours projects in four categories: public space, small-scale intervention, large-scale intervention and “extra muros”, where Brussels-based firms present work carried out outside the region. In each of these categories, the jury selected a winner, but it is the body of work as a whole – namely the 24 nominated projects – that constitutes the Brussels Architecture Prize. For six weeks, an exhibition at the Ravenstein Gallery provided an overview of these projects. A series of guided tours presented all these projects to the general public. During four debates organised in collaboration with CIVA, the societal themes contained in the nominated projects were discussed by their authors, linking them to politics. The Promising Young Architect Award encourages promising young talent. The Lifetime Achievement Award, meanwhile, highlights the importance of a group of individuals who, during their long and rich careers, have made a substantial contribution to the architectural quality of our capital’s built environment.

The awards ceremony on 12 December is the icing on the cake. Beyond celebrating impressive architectural achievements in a festive manner, it also gives them visibility beyond the boundaries of the discipline.

On a personal level, this event is particularly close to my heart. It marks the culmination of nine wonderful years during which, as editor-in-chief and artistic director of A+, I have discovered with growing admiration the fabulous work of dozens of architects and urban planners, having had the privilege of publishing articles, debating and organising exhibitions about them. I will always remember these nine fruitful years with pleasure and pride. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the architects, readers, cultural partners, master architects, funding bodies, sponsors, advertisers – in short, all the players in Belgian architectural culture – for the rich, inspiring and exciting collaboration we have enjoyed. I would also like to extend a special thank you to the A+ team for the years we have shared, for better or for worse: the deadlines, the “charrettes”, the passionate discussions and lively debates, and of course the many small parties after conferences, book launches or vernissages. Thanks to you, success has always been on the cards. Without you, none of this would have been possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!