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 September 21, 2024 and underlined the growing importance of sustainability in architectural education and practice.

The 2024 award winners

Vitor Dias Da Silva:
with his 1:30 scale model for the diploma project «Community Garden Neighbourhood: A Matter of Earth,» wins the 2024 Kosmos Kultur Foundation Award for his innovative use of recyclable materials, ease of disassembly, and complete reusability of elements. His design stands out for its expressive form and commitment to sustainability, underpinned by a clear, thoughtful analysis of modern building practices. A key element of his success was his exceptional documentation, which showcased his attention to detail and deep understanding of the complexities and potential of sustainable architecture.

Gleb Vasin:
with his 1:30 scale model for the diploma project «Basler Paradies,» also wins the 2024 Kosmos Kultur Foundation Award for its innovation and meticulousness in transforming waste materials. Vasin repurposed abandoned cardboard, wood, and even glue tubes into a detailed, aesthetically and conceptually compelling architectural model, showcasing exceptional skill in breathing new life into neglected materials.
His thorough documentation captures every step of the transformation, from raw waste to the final model, reflecting his deep understanding of construction techniques. The combination of technical expertise, creativity, and meticulous documentation made him a deserving recipient of this year’s award for «Architectural Models for a Sustainable Future.»

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 budding 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