Winners of the EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture - EUMies - visited South America for the first time in October to exchange with peers at the Buenos Aires International Architecture Biennale.

International Cultural Relations

International Cultural Relations are a pillar of the partnership between the EU and the Latin America and Caribbean region (LAC). Both regions are rich of talented women and men architects that spearhead sustainability and innovation in their daily work.

European Union

The New European Bauhaus (NEB) is one of the latest initiatives shaped by the EU to bring citizens, experts, businesses, and institutions together to reimagine sustainable living in Europe and beyond.

In addition to creating a platform for experimentation and connection, the initiative also supports positive change by providing access to EU funding for beautiful, sustainable, and inclusive projects.

Exchanging with Argentinean peers as well as with LAC region as a whole is a priority to make this initiative not solely European but truly global in the spirit.

The NEB movement aims to transform the way people live, work, and interact with their surroundings. For this reason, the European Union in Argentina promoted its principles through the EU participation in the event, which brought together leading figures from the region and around the world in architecture, urbanism, art, and design.

European Union

In a world facing global challenges such as climate change, social inequality, and rapid urbanisation, the New European Bauhaus emerges as a comprehensive and visionary response. We are at a turning point where architecture and design can and must be agents of positive change. Amador Sánchez Rico, Ambassador of the European Union to Argentina

Urban nature

The EU programme at La Biennale included the workshop "Urban Nature as a Tool for Intervention in Public Spaces," led by Manoela Machado and Pedro Lira, founding partners of Natureza Urbana.

Joined by more than 50 architecture students from various universities, the specialists developed a participatory dynamic, which will result in an urban intervention project to be implemented in the Puerto Madero neighbourhood of Buenos Aires. This project will serve as the European Union’s legacy to the Biennial.

Manoela Machado and Pedro Lira from Natureza Urbana also explored the combination of architectural, urban planning, and related technical services, prioritising strategic planning, innovation, and integration with nature.

EU architecture showcase

With the presence of Iván Blasi, coordinator of the Mies van der Rohe Foundation Awards in Barcelona, the opening ceremony of the EU Contemporary Architecture Prize exhibition, the EUmiesawards, supported by the EU Programme “Creative Europe” was also held at the Palacio Libertad. The exhibition will remain open to the public until October 28.

The exhibition showcases the 40 works that were part of one of the most prestigious awards in the field of contemporary architecture, which explores new approaches and perspectives to deepen environmental awareness and envision a sustainable future.

European Union

It has been a pleasure to bring the EUmies Awards exhibition to Argentina thanks to the EU Delegation in the country, as it represents a unique opportunity to share and raise awareness about quality architecture and its contribution to citizens' well-being and sustainable development, while discussing the shared challenges we face in both Europe and Argentina. Iván Blasi from the Mies van der Rohe Foundation

NEB open to the world

In addition, several conferences were held with prominent architectural firms that advocate for this new way of thinking and inhabiting spaces, including Guillermo Sevillano, founder of Estudio SUMA and winner of the 2024 EUMies Award. Specialising in unique residential and public architecture.

European Union

We are here to convey the values of the New European Bauhaus, universal values for all built environments. This is a movement that invites the participation of all countries worldwide. Guillermo Sevillano, founder of Estudio SUMA

Transmitting the values of the NEB in Argentina and Latin America is key to promoting a more sustainable and inclusive development in the region. By integrating art, sustainability and technology, these principles can inspire solutions that respect the environment, promote social equity, and celebrate cultural diversity, while adapting to local challenges and fostering more just and creative communities.

Prestigious Latin American voices

Additionally, Gabriela de Matos, a Brazilian architect and urban planner who won the Golden Lion at the 2024 Venice Biennale, stood out for her development of multidisciplinary projects aimed at promoting and highlighting indigenous Brazilian architectural and urban culture.

An historic EU participation

“This is the first time in history that the European Union has participated in the Architecture Biennial. What we want is to give maximum visibility to the New European Bauhaus, where art and creativity are not at odds with the new challenges we face, such as sustainability, innovation, diversity, and aesthetics. On the contrary, all of these concepts can go hand in hand,”

Amador Sánchez Rico, Ambassador of the European Union to Argentina

The activities attracted over 45 000 visitors during the five-day event held at the Faena Arts Centre. The European Union participated in La Biennale through the support of the Service for Foreign Policy Instrument (FPI).

• Follow the link to learn more about New European Bauhaus
• Follow the link to learn more about EUmie Architectural Awards
• Follow the link to learn more about the Buenos Aires International Architecture Biennale