The Lisbon Architecture Triennale has named ReSa Architects, a young Mumbai-based firm founded by sisters Shivani and Revati Shah, the winners of the fifth edition of the Début Award, one of the most prestigious honors in international architecture.

Architects from Italy, Thailand, Mexico, and Switzerland were among the five up-and-coming practices on the worldwide shortlist from which ReSa was chosen. 

Promising emerging practices that use innovation and social involvement to reshape current architectural debate are honored with the Debut Award.

Sparsh ReSa Architects, Maharashtra, India, 2024. Image © Abhishek Sawant

The award ceremony was held the night before the inauguration of the Triennale's "How Heavy is Light?" exhibition, which was organized by John Palmesino and Ann-Sofi Rönnskog. Before the announcement, the Lisbon Architecture Triennale President, José Mateus, gave a presentation of the five finalists' works. 

The actual trophy, created by Portugal's most famous living architect, Álvaro Siza, was made from marble dust recovered from Portuguese quarries and is a poetic metaphor for sustainability and change.

While receiving the award the Indian duo moved the audience with their words on shared authorship and the power of collective listening. Revati and Shivani Shah said: "We are deeply grateful for these works to be recognised. We know the work carries our name but the authorship for these projects is highly decentralized."

"This is the result of the work of many migrant labourers and other stakeholders of the projects that have collectively developed this work," Revati and Shivani Shah added.

Sparsh ReSa Architects, Maharashtra, India, 2024. Image © Abhishek Sawant

Revati and Shivani Shah founded ReSa Architects in 2020 with the goal of redefining social and bodily ties via the process of creating space. Their work encompasses a variety of settings, such as two-tier cities in Rajasthan and Gujarat, rural areas of Maharashtra and Karnataka, and urban landscapes like Mumbai.

In order to test, write, think, perform, discuss, and spread alternative forms of architectural practice that are founded in communities and connected to the land, the studio works on both physical projects and creative research initiatives.

Every three years, Lisbon, Portugal hosts the Lisbon Architecture Triennale, one of the top architecture events in the world. It encourages discussion, introspection, and innovation in modern architecture and urbanization through its exhibitions, prizes, and events. 

Sparsh ReSa Architects, Maharashtra, India, 2024. Image © Abhishek Sawant

The Début Award honors up-and-coming architects whose work demonstrates remarkable promise and commitment with important global issues.

In 2022, Marina Tabassum was named as the winner of the Lisbon Triennale Millennium bcp Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2016, Lacaton & Vassal Architects was awarded with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Moreover, American architect, planner, writer, educator, and principal of the firm Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates Denise Scott Brown was named as the recipient of the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Lisbon Architecture Triennale. 

Every three years, Lisbon, Portugal hosts the Lisbon Architecture Triennale, one of the top architecture events in the world. It encourages discussion, introspection, and innovation in modern architecture and urbanization through its exhibitions, prizes, and events.

The top image in the article: ReSa Architects. Photo © Antonin Kanant and Revati Shah.

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