Prizes and competitions

In terms of content, prizes, prize competitions and calls for tenders closely resemble one another, but what are the differences? Prizes are aimed at the appreciation of the oeuvre of an architect, but they may also be aimed at the development of an (up and coming) architect. Taking part in a competition or call for tenders can be good for an architect's development for several reasons, but it is also expensive, a lot of work, and besides you or the firm run the risk of not winning. There are practices that operate a 'no competitions policy' for this reason.

The difference between a competition and a call for tenders is connected, among other things, with what the principal is looking for: just an architect, an architect with a design, or just a design. A competition is often concentrated on the design. In a call for tenders the party that issues the call, such as a housing corporation, a collective private commissioning party (CPO) or the national government, is looking for an architect with a design.

A contest or tender can be held over several rounds which are first selected some designs or candidates for the next round. It sometimes happens that a contest or tender is not public, and that candidates will be invited to participate in a competition. Usually, a contest unpaid, sometimes a contract has a fee or honorarium.

Current overview
Current competitions can be found on Archined. The current competitions give a good picture of what the present themes are in architecture, landscape architecture and urban design, such as green architecture and recycling.

Europan
In collaboration with around twenty European countries Europan organizes competitions in the field of architecture and urban development every two years. Using a common theme, “young and promising” architects can come up with ideas for innovations in the area of architecture, mainly housing. Europan supports the prizewinner in securing his/her (often first) design commission. The competition is open to architects from all over Europe who are under 40 years of age and (in the Netherlands) who are registered in the architects’ register. 

Prix de Rome
Oldest and largest incentive prize for architects (up to the age of 35) in the Netherlands. The jury of the prize selects a number of nominees on the basis of nominations by scouts and their own entries. As part of the competition, they then create new work in a few months with a working budget and under the supervision of a coach, on the basis of which the jury ultimately awards the prizes. The eventual winner will receive € 40,000 and a working period in Rome. The Prix de Rome has been organized by the Mondriaan Fund since 2013. The prize is awarded to an architect once every four years.

Abe Bonnema Award for Young Architects
Biennial award for young architects - under the age of 40 - who have delivered a building in the Netherlands in the past two years that, in the opinion of an independent, expert jury, is an achievement of exceptional, high-quality architectural quality, which will inspire future generations. The prize has been awarded in even years since 2014 and consists of a cash prize of € 20,000.

Archiprix
“Up and coming talent” is often presented first via Archiprix. Each year the Dutch design schools select their best student plans for this prize. Starting point for the prize is the expectation that the participants’ talent will be an enrichment for the profession. Because there is no common assignment involved, the scale, the issues dealt with, and the method of presentation all vary according to the individual plan. A jury judges the submitted plans and awards the prizes and honorable mentions.

Archiprix International
Universities from all over the world can propose their best final year students for the Archiprix International. The purpose of the competition is to encourage the introduction of talented designers who are setting out in the professional world. It is an initiative of the Dutch academies of architecture, urban design and landscape architecture in Delft, Eindhoven, Wageningen, Amsterdam, Arnhem, Groningen, Maastricht, Rotterdam and Tilburg.

Next Step Award
Launched in 2016, the Next Step Program draws attention to young European talent and the role of architecture for the future of the city. The program offers a platform to emerging top talent among architects, draws attention to the power of architecture and presents the Next Step Award. The prize consists of an assignment and € 10,000.

Rotterdam Maaskant Award for Young Architects
Awarded since 1985 in odd years. It is an incentive for young architects, landscape architects or planners of 35 years or younger. The architectural work - studied or executed - is paramount. The award consists of a cash prize of € 5,000, a certificate and a grant for publication.

Some architectural awards are focused on a project that has been realized in a given period, the most important are:

BNA Gebouw van het jaar
Prize intended to reinforce the cultural and social position of architects and architecture. Only members of the BNA can take part. The prize is awarded in various regions. 

The 'big' Rotterdam-Maaskant Prize
Biennial price for one or more persons who have distinguished themselves in a special way in the field of architecture, urban design and landscape architecture by publishing, teaching and / or research activities. The prize is awarded since 1978 in even years and consists of a cash prize of € 25,000, a certificate and a grant for publication.

Abe Bonnema Architecture Prize
Biennial prize for the architect of a building that was completed in the Netherlands in the past two years and that in the opinion of an independent expert panel performance is of exceptional high architectural quality, inspires future generations and sets an example. The prize has been awarded in odd years since 2013 and consists of a cash prize of € 50,000.

De Gouden Pyramide (The Golden Pyramid)
Biennial award for excellence in commissioning work in architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture, infrastructure and spatial planning. The Golden Pyramid is an initiative of the ministries I & M, Education and Interior and is awarded since 2003. The prize consists of a specially designed trophy, € 75,000 and eternal fame.

Architectenweb
Organizes the Architect of the Year Award. Which architect, or collective of architects, has made the greatest contribution to the development of architecture in the Netherlands this year? The prize consists of an honorable mention and a cash prize of € 5,000.

There are also awards for the use of certain materials. These awards are often sponsored or organized by associations of manufacturers, the most important are:

Nationale Staalprijs
The National Steel Prize (Nationale Staalprijs) has been in existence since 1971. Participation is possible with projects – new construction, renovation or renovation – in the Netherlands or abroad that are wholly or partly made of steel.

Betonprijs
The biennial Concrete Prize (Betonprijs) focuses on responsible, future-oriented, valuable and/or inspiring projects in the concrete sector.

VKG Architecture Prize

Throughout the country, there are also many regional architectural awards. In the region of Amsterdam for example these two:

Amsterdam: Arcam - Gouden AAP
Each year, the prize draws attention to the best part of architecture within Amsterdam's municipal boundaries. With the Amsterdam Architecture Prize, Arcam wants to stimulate public debate about architecture in Amsterdam.

Haarlem - Lieven de Key Penning
The medal is named after the first Haarlem city architect, Lieven de Key, and is presented annually by the Municipality of Haarlem to a person or organisation that has made a valuable contribution to the preservation of monuments, architecture or urban planning.

There are also prizes for architects who have made a major contribution throughout their careers to the built environment and the discipline:

BNA Kubus
The BNA Kubus is an award that has been awarded since 1965 by the Branchevereniging Nederlandse Architectenbureaus to a person or institution as a token of appreciation for a special merit for architecture in the Netherlands. It is the oldest prize for an architectural oeuvre in the Netherlands.

Pritzker Architecture Prize
Oeuvre prize presented by the Hyatt Foundation to a living architect who has made a significant contribution to humanity and the built environment.