The awards for architecture in Portugal have been abundant and extraordinary, a result of the quality work that has been developed by teams of architects. Currently there are around 11 national awards and around 11 more municipal or regional awards, but almost all of them are themed or focused on rehabilitation.
We can be pleased with these numbers and salutary for the effort and commitment in organizing these events, however, there was a lack of a comprehensive National Architecture Award that would distinguish the work of new construction. In the current context of awards in architecture there is only one exception in a prize specifically intended for new construction buildings and which is only awarded to architects up to 40 years of age.
Given the panorama of awards in Portugal, it is essential to establish a national architecture award, a reference of quality and prestige, which distinguishes the best new construction works carried out in the national territory.
The first edition took place in the city of Lisbon, with each edition expected to be presented alternately in different cities across the country, guaranteeing and enhancing the entire national territory in a comprehensive and decentralizing perspective. In this sense, the 2nd edition of the FORMA Awards will move north.