"Architecture is the testimony of man's aspiration to overcome time by raising order in space" wrote Hermann Broch. To bring together those who are involved in it in our country, in 1959, from the idea and ingenuity of Bruno Zevic, was bornNational Institute of Architecture. The need to promote and reward theexcellence and the value of Italian architectural works. And this is how the first edition of the Press In / Arch.
The In / Arch awards to Italian architectural excellence
I In / Arch awards have been rewarding Italian architecture for 58 years. Giulio Carlo Argan, historian and art critic, during the presentation of the first edition describes them as a way of signaling architects "Who have carried out a work of synthesis and final resolution of all the components of strength in the last component, that is, in the work of art". But, he adds, "They are also aimed at rewarding political personalities, officials of organizations, producers, art critics, institutes and companies, that is, the entire sphere of activity and interests, at the center of which the artistic result is placed". Therefore, it is an opportunity for the world of entrepreneurship and design to meet. In fact, not only the work itself is rewarded, but all the subjects that revolve around it. The one who commissions it, who designs it and, finally, the one who builds it.
The premises are rewarded, therefore the need that initiates the construction, the idea, the project. In practice, the entire production chain complex, the resources, the realization is rewarded. But also the synthesis, the work and its intrinsic value, which gives our cities a legacy to be admired for eternity. And, finally, the post is also rewarded: control, management and maintenance.
As we said, the first edition of the In / Arch awards dates back to 1962. It is a biennial event that has not been interrupted until '72. Since then, no more demonstrations have been organized for 15 years except in '89 and then in '92. The awards experienced another pause, this time thirteen years long, to return in 2005 thanks to the collaboration with ANCE. The last edition of the awards dates back to 2014. That of the current year is, therefore, a restart.
The 2020 edition
The 2020 edition was commissioned byNational Institute of Architecture and the ANCE Building Constructors Association in collaboration with Archilovers. And it is particularly felt during this Coronavirus emergency, this crisis that undermines any desire to do. But precisely in this atmosphere of despair there is the strength to continue to enhance what is beautiful has been built and what is even more marvelous can be built with an eye towards the future. Therefore, all scheduled events are not canceled but transferred to the network. "Although forcibly closed in our homes, we continue immaterially to 'beat the territories' in which our roots sink, to enhance their polycentric and multiple vitality", writes the vice president In / Arch, Luca Zevi. From 17 March to 18 May, clients, designers, construction companies can submit their applications through the portal archilovers.com where the announcement and the application form are present.
The categories of the In / Arch 2020 awards
This edition includes 20 Regional Awards and National Awards to be assigned to single buildings or complexes of newly constructed or recently qualified buildings. It is essential that they are located in Italy and made by Italian people. And that they were built and finished between 2014 and 2020. Six categories: prizes for new construction projects and for projects carried out and / or designed by young designers. There is a prize for an urban regeneration intervention and for a building redevelopment intervention. The "Bruno Zevi" award for the dissemination of architectural culture and, finally, the lifetime achievement award. For each category, the best designer, the best executing company and the best client will be awarded. Five are also expected special prizes: the special Solar Architecture prize in prestigious contexts and the Listone Giordano special prize. The Manini Prefabbricati special prize, the Vimar special prize. Finally, the Willis Towers Watson Special Award.
The award ceremony
The Regional Prizes will be awarded by 9 juries. The conferment will take place during public events that the In / Arch Regional Sections will organize throughout the year with dates and locations to be defined. Finally, among all the regional winners, a national jury will assign the National Awards. The delivery of the latter will take place during the Biennale of Venice of October.
The 2020 edition of the In / Arch awards is an opportunity to restart, taking a look beyond the crisis.
# Italian in the heart
