On 8th of March, in the premises of Polis University, the Award Ceremony of the "Albanian Architecture Award 2018" was held. This event was organized as a special edition by the Albanian Union of Architects and Urban Planners.

The audience at the award ceremony. Image © A.U.A.

This special edition was dedicated to the role of women in Albanian architecture and urbanism. The ceremony aimed to emphasize the importance of women in the field of architecture. Four awards were given to 4 architects representing different generations and architectural "periods".

One of the prizes was awarded to Valentina Pistoli, one of the first Albanian woman architects.  During the ceremony, her son, Tani Pistoli, accepted the award. Valentina graduated from University of Sophia in 1952 and gave her contribution for some of the most important works during the centralized Albanian government period. Although it was hard to overcome the restrictions of the period, her work has managed to withstand the tests of time. Her most renowned project is that of the 15-storey hotel in the capital city of Albania, Tirana International Hotel.

Vera Bushati accepting the award at the ceremony. Image © A.U.A.

Dr. Doc. Vera Bushati was also awarded during this ceremony. She graduated in 1969 with a Master of Science degree from the Polytechnic University of Tirana. She pursued her PhD. several years later on the topic of "Architecture of Houses in Illyria". She has been one of the most prominent academic contributors in the field of Architecture in Albania. Bushati has published a lot of relevant studies and books and has also been involved in several design and construction projects in Albania and abroad.

Doris Andoni during the ceremony. Image © A.U.A.

The other award was given to Doris Andoni, an important representative of women architects in Albania. She has had several years of experience in the governmental institutions, where she has had very significant roles, especially in the field of social housing. She has offered her contribution in the academic sector as well. Currently, Andoni is working on her doctorate thesis in her expertise subject, that of social housing instruments. 

Rudina Toto at the ceremony. Image © A.U.A.

The fourth award was given to Rudina Toto, a representative of the younger architects generation. Toto is member of a group of professionals who have created and designed contemporary and inclusive urban planning policies. She graduated from Polytechnic University of Tirana and managed to earn another Masters degree in Rotterdam, in 2004. She has recently finished her doctorate thesis in a joint program from Polis University and University of Ferrara. 

The awarded architects and the jury members. Image © A.U.A.

This initiative undertaken by A.U.A. was congratulated and supported by several critics. The selection criteria and the motivation of the jury on the awards are based solely on the contribution of the candidates in the advancement of Albanian architecture. The Albanian Architecture Award 2018 returned after a three year pause from the Albanian Union of Architects and Urban Planners. The previous "A.U.A. Awards for Albanian Architecture 2014" were given to Artan Raça and Skënder Luarasi.

Image courtesy of A.U.A.

Top image: Valentina Pistoli and her colleagues. Image © Architectuul

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