The BIG Architecture Festival 2025, which took place at Grando, Portorož, from May 22–23, ended with great success, turning the seaside location into a thriving center of architectural discussion, critical exchange, and innovative ideas. 

Over 3,000 architects, designers, urbanists, and decision-makers from South-East Europe and beyond convened for two exciting days to discuss the importance of common sense in architecture and to honor exceptional accomplishments in the built environment.

The World Architecture Community is an official media partner of the 2025 BIG Architecture Festival.

A Festival of Ideas: Common Sense / Space / Responsibility

The festival's main international conference covered the hot topics influencing architecture today, ranging from adaptive reuse and climate resilience to the moral implications of artificial intelligence. 

Throughout the program, the carefully chosen topic, Common Sense / Space / Responsibility… in Architecture, struck a chord, highlighting a resurgent demand for environmentally and socially responsible architecture.

While Envisioning a City: Future Perspectives from North and South examined climate-specific and culturally sensitive urban transformation techniques, the Beyond Algorithms: The Human Touch in AI–Enhanced Architecture panel provided a nuanced perspective on AI's potential and drawbacks. 

The position of South-East Europe on the international scene was another topic of discussion. A more cohesive architectural presence at upcoming World Expos was the focus of SEE Beyond Osaka 2025, while SEE in Venice investigated regional synergies in advance of the 2027 Venice Biennale.

Exhibition and Innovation

The SEE the Future: The towns of Tomorrow exhibition included forward-thinking concepts from students and architects who envisioned how South-East European towns would change to meet the problems of the twenty-first century. 

During the festival's vast trade expo, more than 100 exhibitors showcased innovative approaches to sustainable design, smart technologies, and materials.

Awarding Architectural Excellence: BIG SEE Grand Prix Winners

Over 300 concepts were showcased by architects on four stages during the festival's two days. The BIG SEE Architecture & Interior Design Awards ceremony, which honored the international jury-awarded projects in 13 architectural and 5 interior categories, capstoned this event at the Gala Evening. 

The festival's fundamental principles are reflected in many of the selected works, especially in their inventive, socially conscious, and ecological practices.

Notably, AI Praha's Štvanice Footbridge, which won in the Infrastructure category, provides a prime example of sophisticated engineering and adaptable urban planning in a European metropolis. In a similar vein, Brunnberg & Forshed Arkitektkontor's Friskafors Retirement Home reflects a socially inclusive approach to senior housing design, along with the "common sense" philosophy that was emphasized throughout the conference. 

The festival's discussion on artificial intelligence is closely related to the Seoul Robot & AI Museum by MAA – Melike Altınışık Architects, which represents the changing conversation between architecture and AI.

2025 BIG SEE Grand Prix Winners

Architecture

Tourism Buildings
Badhaus — bergmeisterwolf

Public and Administration Buildings
Kalyon Karapınar 1.350 MWP SPP – Central Control Building — Bilgin Architects 

Residential – Houses
House in Toyooka — Ishii Hideki Architect Atelier 

Public – Renovation
Schloss Ebenzweier — Kleboth und Dollnig

Public / Open Space and Landscape
Spello. Infiorate di Pietra — Massimo Berzetta Architetto in collaboration with OIKOS Progetti / SAB / SINTAGMA

Industrial Buildings and Workspace
The Mayoral New Warehouse Logistic Center — System Arquitectura 

Residential – Renovation
The Mill — Estudio Vilablanch

Infrastructure
Štvanice Footbridge — AI Praha 

Residential – Housing
Friskafors Retirement Home — Brunnberg & Forshed Arkitektkontor (https://bigsee.eu/friskafors-retirement-home-a-social-living-for-elderly/)

Educational Buildings
Antonio Huber Schule — Baumschlager Hutter Partners 

Cultural Buildings
Seoul Robot & AI Museum — MAA – Melike Altınışık Architects 

Recreation & Sports Buildings
Češča Vas Pool Complex — ENOTA 

Residential – Leisure
Weekendhouse GPW — Robert Maier Architekten 

Interior Design

Retail
Veron The Shop — IOG Arhitectura 

Workplace
Rocknrolla Offices — REONDO. 

Residential

Isadora’s House (Apartment in Budapest) — Katrin Mood 

Civic
Pisoni Dental Clinic — Studio Capitanio Architetti 

Hospitality
Hotel Indigo — BFA x KLK 

A Regional Movement with Global Vision

The BIG Architecture Festival 2025 has reinforced the ability of architecture to lead with clarity, teamwork, and common sense in the face of unprecedented problems facing the built environment. BIG SEE continues to influence the direction of architecture in South-East Europe and beyond by encouraging important discussions and recognizing buildings that combine forward-thinking ideas with responsible, grounded practices.

All images © Matic Dolenc. 

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