European Council of Interior Architects

Criteria

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

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

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

  • Projects carried out or largely finalized between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2024

  • Projects which significantly contribute to a quality building culture in accordance with the Davos Quality System

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

The ECIA Interior Award 2025 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.

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.

Terms and Conditions​​​​​​​​​​​

  • Submissions can only be made through the form on this website;

  • All submission should be (translated) in English;

  • Entries should be accompanied by a short video (maximum 2 minutes) presenting the (concept of the) project to the jury (a phone recording would do);

  • A maximum of 15 pictures & images can be uploaded (max.5 "before", max. 10 "completed");

  • A maximum of 10 drawings/sketches showing the design concept can be uploaded;

  • No logos (of entrant, company, partner, sponsor etc.) should appear in the video and images;

  • No changes will be allowed after the submission deadline (26 January 2025).

The participant(s) attest:

  • To having exploitation rights over the content of the work they present;

  • To being, where applicable, entitled to receive a distinction;

  • That the submission of the file and the publication of the textual and visual material thus made available do not infringe any rights held by third parties and that no request for compensation may be brought against the ECIA in this capacity, including any copyrights or confidentiality rights and agree to protect ECIA against any liabilities, damages, losses, costs or expenses arising as a result thereof;

  • To making the documents submitted available to the ECIA free of charge and undertake to even to provide, upon request, possible supplements for publication purposes;

  • ECIA reserves the right to make use of all photography, drawings and other information submitted by an entrant for any publicity and promotional purposes related to the ECIA Award;

  • Entrants by way of their submission are giving the organisers the right to reproduce any of the material in whole or in part without payment of copyright;

  • The material submitted by any entries may be displayed at an exhibition organised by ECIA;

  • Any entrant who upon registration enters false information may result in disqualification.