2026 UMAR

MEDITERRANEAN ARCHITECTURE AWARD

Architecture has always been one of the Mediterranean’s shared languages.

Across territories shaped by migrations, climate, memory, coexistence and transformation, architecture continues to define how communities inhabit the world together.

At a time marked by environmental, social and geopolitical challenges, the UMAR Architecture Award seeks to foster dialogue through architecture.

The award recognizes projects that contribute to a more inclusive, resilient and culturally conscious Mediterranean environment.

Rather than proposing a single architectural identity, the award aims to reflect the diversity, complexity and richness of Mediterranean cultures and ways of living.

  • About UMAR

Founded in 1994 through the Rabat Declaration and formally constituted in Crete later that same year, the Union of Mediterranean Architects (UMAR) brings together the national architectural institutions of most of the Mediterranean countries sharing a common cultural horizon. 

UMAR promotes architecture as a platform for cultural exchange, cooperation and collective responsibility across the Mediterranean basin.

  • The Award

The UMAR Architecture Award is a biennial international distinction recognizing contemporary architectural works that generate positive social, cultural and     environmental impact within the Mediterranean context. 

Each edition aims to reward architectural excellence while encouraging socially engaged, environmentally responsible and culturally grounded approaches. 

Among those registered, the Jury may select the three best projects implemented in the Mediterranean basin

The first-place winners will be invited as guests of UMAR to present their work during the Award Ceremony hosted in Istanbul, by the Chamber of Architects of Turkey, on the 25-26 September 2026.

  • The Theme

“Living Mediterranean Culture” – Residential Buildings

In a global climate often marked by instability, this award serves as a platform for intercultural dialogue and exchange of best practices that will serve as an example for everyone else.

This first edition focuses on residential architecture as a fundamental expression of Mediterranean life and community.

Projects are expected to demonstrate:

  • Environmental responsibility
  • Sensitivity to climate adaptation
  • Careful use of water and energy resources
  • Integration within urban and cultural contexts
  • Inclusive public and collective spaces
  • Awareness of local heritage and identity
  • Responsible approaches to reconstruction and fragile territories

The jury will value, not only architectural excellence, but also the ability of the projects to generate a significant social and environmental impact.

  • Eligibility

Participation is free of charge.

The competition is open to:

  • Individual architects
  • Architectural practices
  • Multidisciplinary teams

For team proposals, at least one representative must be a qualified architect registered with any of the UMAR Member Sections.

Eligible projects must:

  • Be located within the Mediterranean cultural area
  • Belong to the residential typology
  • Have been completed within the last five years

  • Evaluation Criteria

Projects will be evaluated according to:

  • Architectural Quality
  • Environmental Responsibility
  • Cultural Integration
  • Social impact
  • Innovation

  • Application form and required material

Applicants are required to register and submit the Registration Form and their project in the following way.

Application Form: Can be downloaded from here

Application Form

Required Material: A single DIN A1 panel (594 x 841 millimeters), in vertical position, contained in a single PDF file with a maximum size of 20 MB, with a resolution of 300 dpi in order to allow for any subsequent publications.

The panel must contain, at least:

  • the alphanumeric code listed in the application form
  • a brief description of the project
  • one or more photographic images of the residential building, once realized
  • any other drawings, photographs or graphic material illustrating aspects of the building.

  • How to Apply

General Information: Can be downloaded from here

Application Form: It must be fully completed by the architect. In the corresponding section, the signant must generate an alphanumeric code that will be the only visible identifier on the DIN A1 Panel. Can be downloaded from here

Panel DIN A1: (594 x 841 millimeters), in vertical position with all the required information, saved in a PDF file of a maximum of 20 MB, with a resolution of 300 dpi, in order to allow for any publication. Will have vissible the alphanumeric code in the top right corner.

*** The panel must not display anything other than the identification code. There must be no reference that identifies the authors.

The Registration Form and the pdf containing the A1 panel should be sent to the Award Organization emal:

2026.med.award@umar.org

Within a maximum of 24 hours, a confirmation email will be sent to the architect who signed the registration form.

  • Request for Clarification

Participants may submit any questions regarding the Award during the designated clarification period. All questions should be mailed to:

assistance.award@umar.org

The answers will be published on the official website within 48 hours and will be accessible to everyone.

https://umar-med-architecture-award.org

  • Calendar

  • 15th June, 2026: Publication of the Call and opening of submission of questions
  • 15th July, 2026: Deadline for clarification requests
  • 15th August, 2026: Final deadline for registration and submission
  • 10th September, 2026: Completion of Jury deliberations
  • 25-26th September 2026: Award Ceremony — Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

  • The Jury

  • Mara Partida — Spain: Architect and co-founder of Mendoza Partida, an international architecture practice based in Barcelona focused on cultural and residential architecture.
  • Ida Origgi — Italy: Architect and urban designer recognized for socially engaged architectural practice and community-oriented urban regeneration.
  • Sandra Frem — Lebanon: Co-founder of platau, an interdisciplinary platform working across architecture, urbanism and research in the Middle East.
  • Mohamed Amine Siana — Morocco: Architect and cultural advocate involved in multiple international architectural initiatives and award platforms.
  • Deniz Dokgöz — Türkiye: Architect, academic and co-founder of İkiartıbir Mimarlık, recipient of numerous national architectural awards.

  • Alternate Jury Members

  • Germin Farouk Hafez El-Gohary — Egypt. Architect, academic and specialist in architectural and urban design, currently associated with Ain Shams University.
  • Dimitris Xynomilakis — Greece. Architect and long-standing representative of the Association of Architects of Greece within ACE-CAE and UMAR.

  • Rapporteurs

  • Alessandra Ferrari — Italy
  • Ibrahim Hindi — Palestine
  • Selin Oktan — Türkiye

  • Advisors

  • Amir Turki — President, Tunisia
  • Fabian Llisterri — Secretary General, Spain
  • Lilia Cannarella — Treasurer, Italy

  • Exhibition and Publication

Submitted materials may be used by UMAR for conferences, exhibitions and publications related to the Award.

Selected projects may also be published on the UMAR website and promoted through UMAR member sections and associated cultural platforms.

  • FAQ and Helpful clarifications

  • The DIN A1 panel to be submitted must be in a vertical orientation, i.e. 841 mm high and 594 mm wide. On the panels, texts should be in English.
  • There is no predefined template for the DIN A1 panel.
  • Participants are free to organize the layout and graphic composition of the panel according to the communication strategy they decide for their respective projects, provided that all the requirements specified in the call for entries are respected.
  • Residential buildings must be fully completed prior to submission for the Award. If they are not yet complete, they cannot be submitted for this edition; however, as it is a biennial Award, they may participate in the next edition in 2028.
  • Each participant may submit only one project.
  • For the five-year calculation, we will consider calendar years, that is, from the 1st January, 2021
  • The deadline for submitting applications will be the 15th August at 11:59 p.m. Malta time, where UMAR is based, GMT +2.

  • www.umar.org

    The Professional Centre
    127, Triq-tas-Sliema, Il-Gżira
    GZR 1633, Malta