The Kosmos Kultur Foundation and the Accademia di architettura in Mendrisio, part of the Università della Svizzera italiana, are delighted to announce the winners of this year’s “premio Kosmos”. The award ceremony took place during the graduation ceremony on June 21, 2025 and underlined the growing importance of sustainability in architectural education and practice.

The 2025 award winners

Vittoria Betti
with her diploma project model “Palacio do Coimbra: Do Palacio Ao Espaço”, is the recipient of the 2025 Kosmos Kultur Foundation Award for her transformation of humble and discarded materials through meticulous craftsmanship. Using abandoned cardboard of varying quality and simple chalk, Vittoria created a refined and poetic model that fully captures the spirit of the building it represents. This small masterpiece demonstrates remarkable skill in giving new life to overlooked resources—with grace, sensitivity, and precision.

Emanuele Varalli
with his diploma project model “La metafisica della presenza”, is also awarded the 2025 Kosmos Kultur Foundation Award for his thoughtful use of extremely simple, naturally sourced materials—capable of dissolving entirely and returning to nature. The model stands out for its expressive power and uncompromising commitment to sustainability. A crucial aspect of his success lies in the precise documentation that accompanied the work, reflecting a deep sensitivity to material processes and an exceptional attention to detail.

Both winners received prize money of 2,000 Swiss francs each for their outstanding sustainable architectural models. Their work impressively demonstrates how sustainability and aesthetic excellence can be combined in architecture.

About the “premio Kosmos”

The “premio Kosmos” is a pioneering initiative launched in 2024 by the Kosmos Culture Foundation in collaboration with the Università della Svizzera italiana. Every year, two young architects are recognized for their innovative and sustainable architectural models. The prize aims to raise awareness of ecological design at an early stage of architectural training.

© Pics by USI Accademia di architettura Mendrisio & Tipress