Ljubljana, Slovenia: The BIG Architecture Festival 2025, held in May under the creative banner “Celebration of Common Sense and Innovation in Architecture,” brought together visionary minds from across Europe and beyond to reframe the conversation around design, urbanism, and architectural responsibility. As one of Central and Eastern Europe’s most influential architecture events, BIG 2025 offered a potent mix of critical dialogue, forward-thinking exhibition, and a celebration of exemplary projects that balance pragmatic solutions with bold innovation.

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A Festival Rooted in Purpose: Dialogues, Debates, and Design Futures

Hosted annually in Ljubljana and organized by Zavod Big, the BIG Architecture Festival has matured into a keystone event for architects, urban planners, designers, and industry stakeholders in the region. The 2025 edition was marked by a clear thematic intention: to revisit architecture’s roots in rationality, responsibility, and community, while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of material use, form, and future-oriented thinking.

A particular highlight was the panel “Architecture as a Tool for Social Cohesion”, where practitioners explored how built environments can respond to increasing urban inequality. Similarly, the session “New Realities in Materials and Construction” examined circular economies and regenerative building processes, an urgent topic in the face of escalating environmental crises.

The integration of young voices was another standout. Student showcases, future-oriented prototypes, and the “Young Architect Vision Awards” gave emerging talents a well-deserved spotlight, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to intergenerational dialogue and mentoring.

2025 BIG SEE Grand Prix Winners

At the core of the festival lies the prestigious BIG SEE Architecture Awards, which celebrate exceptional architectural works from Southeast Europe. In 2025, the awards were given in multiple categories, including Residential Architecture, Public and Commercial Architecture, Landscape and Urban Space, and Interior Design.

In the Recreation & Sports Buildings category, ENOTA Architects – Češča Vas Pool Complex won recognition, a public aquatic complex designed for recreation and wellness, featuring indoor and outdoor pools, integrated into the natural landscape in Slovenia that seamlessly integrates into the surrounding topography.

These awards serve as barometers for where Southeastern European architecture is heading: toward contextual, climate-responsive, and socially embedded design.

Here’s a look at the standout winners of this year’s Grand Prix:

Architecture Category Winners

Tourism Buildings

Project: Badhaus
Location: Italy
Architects: bergmeisterwolf

Public and Administration Buildings

Project: Kalyon Karapınar 1.350 MWP SPP – Central Control Building
Location: Karapınar, Turkey
Architects: Bilgin Architects

Public – Renovation

Project: Schloss Ebenzweier
Location: Austria
Architects: Kleboth und Dollnig

Public / Open Space and Landscape

Project: Spello. Infiorate di Pietra
Location: Spello, Italy
Architects: Massimo Berzetta Architetto, in collaboration with OIKOS Progetti / SAB / SINTAGMA.