European Council of Interior Architects

Criteria

The ECIA Interior Award 2026 is open to​​​​​​​​:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

  • Projects designed by members of the ECIA effective, observer and institutional members who are fully qualified as an interior architect / designer

  • Innovative interior architecture/design projects (products and movable furniture are excluded)

  • Projects carried out or largely finalised between 1 January 2023 and 1 June 2026

  • Two categories: residential and commercial projects

  • Projects that consider responsible design within space (theme for 2026)

( ⬇️scroll down how to prepare your submission)

The Davos Quality System​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

The ECIA Interior Award is inspired by the New European Bauhaus (NEB), supports the green transition by encouraging all Europeans to envision and create a sustainable and inclusive future that is beautiful for our eyes, minds, and souls. It focuses on transforming sectors like the built environment to contribute to climate goals and improve citizens' quality of life.

On 17 May 2021, the Swiss Federal Office of Culture (FOC) introduced the Davos Baukultur Quality System. This system is a key contribution to the NEB and the Davos Process, which started with the 2018 Davos Declaration “Towards a high-quality Baukultur for Europe”. High-quality Baukultur is characterised by well-designed, enjoyable living spaces that preserve the historical value of the built environment, respond to societal needs and are good for people‘s well-being and health. The eight criteria of the Davos Quality System will be used as a tool to judge the entries for this award.

Criteria for the ECIA Interior Award 2026​​​​​​​​​​​

The eight criteria of the Davos Quality System evaluate the quality of places:

  1. Governance - Based on participatory democracy, good processes, and effective management of places.

  2. Functionality - Ensuring places are fit for purpose, sustainable, safe*, comfortable, and healthy for residential use, work, leisure, or infrastructure.

  3. Environment - Focusing on ecological aspects, sustainability, and resource use.

  4. Economy - Considering economic value and sustainable resource management.

  5. Diversity - Promoting attractive, diverse, and inclusive interior designs, tailored to meet the unique needs and preferences of different individuals.

  6. Context - Understanding the historical, cultural, and social context of a place.

  7. Sense of Place - Creating specific and beautiful places that bring people together and enhance overall quality of life.

  8. Beauty - Recognising aesthetics and artistic aspects in the built environment.

And one added criterion for 2026 Theme Responsible Design Within Spaces

  1. *Responsible Design - Recognising projects that demonstrate how interior architecture can advance thoughtful, human-centred, safe, and future-ready environments

  • Shortlist ECIA Interior Award 2025

Prepare your submission​​​​​​​​​​​

For a submission we ask you to provide:

  • Project info
    (award category, the project name, site location, client, project budget, date of realisation)

  • A description of the project in English, describing the Design Concept and Inspiration
    What was the overall design concept for this project, and what inspired the choices behind it? What makes your project stand out? (150 words maximum)

  • A description of the project in English, describing the Challenges and Solutions
    What were the major challenges you faced during the design process, and how did you address them to ensure the success of the project? (150 words maximum)

  • A description of the project in English, describing the Materials and Finishes
    What materials, textures, and finishes were used in this project, and how do they contribute to the overall design aesthetic and functionality? (150 words maximum)

  • A description of the project in English, describing the Sustainability and Innovation
    Did your design incorporate any sustainable or innovative practices, such as eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient technologies, etc.? If so, please elaborate. (150 words maximum)

  • A description of the project in English, describing: Client brief and User Experience How does this design meet the needs and expectations of the client or end users?
    Please describe how the space was tailored to enhance functionality, comfort, and the user experience. (150 words maximum)

  • A description of the project in English, describing: Responsible design (2026 theme)
    In what way is the project contributing to creating thoughtful, human-centred, safe, and future-ready environments? (150 words maximum)

  • Images
    - before (minimum 2 and maximum 5 “before" images of the project)
    - completed (minimum 5 and maximum 10 images of the completed project)
    - drawings, sketches and diagrams (minimum 5 and maximum 10 drawings, sketches and diagrams)
    (No logos or names of the entrant should appear in the pictures)

You can complete or modify your submission at any time before the deadline (15 July 2026)