Paola Viganò won two awards at the Brussels Architecture Prize
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Professor of urban planning at EPFL, Paola Viganò won two awards at the third edition of the Brussels Architecture Prize, an exceptional recognition honouring both a recent work and a lifetime of commitment.
The Public Space 2025 Prize was awarded to the Plaine Marie Janson project in Saint-Gilles, which was designed by Studio Paola Viganò. Anchored in existing uses such as games, sports, meetings and relaxation, this project offers a subtle interpretation of public space, combining elements of both parks and squares. A living collage, it combines everyday practices, social innovation and socio-ecological transition, including tree conservation, the reuse of materials on site, the continuity of the landscape, the reduction of car traffic and the diversity of atmospheres that encourage collective appropriation.
Paola Viganò also received the Lifetime Achievement Award – Honourable Mention 2025, in recognition of her significant contributions to contemporary architecture and urban planning. This accolade recognises her approach to urban and territorial planning, which considers social and environmental changes, and sits at the intersection of research, teaching, and design.
These two awards underscore the lasting influence of Paola Viganò's work at EPFL and on the international stage, promoting more just, open and liveable territories.