Below you can find a selection of news related to traditional building, architecture and urban planning:
– Traditional Building Cultures Foundation –
Call for applications for the Iberian Summer School
The new edition of the Iberian Summer School on Traditional Architecture, organized by the Traditional Building Cultures Foundation thanks to Richard H. Driehaus and in collaboration with INTBAU Spain and INTBAU Portugal, will take place from July 7 to 20, 2025, in the White Villages region, spanning the provinces of Cádiz and Málaga, with Ronda as the main venue. Over two weeks, participants will study the traditional urbanism, architecture, and construction details of the region to develop a design proposal for the site.
The program will also include various field visits, hands-on demonstrations with master artisans, and daily lectures by experts in traditional architecture. Hand-drawing and measuring buildings will be the primary activities throughout these two intensive weeks.
The application period is open until March 30, 2025.
Call for Applications: Rafael Manzano Prize 2025
The Rafael Manzano Prize for New Traditional Architecture is organized by the Traditional Building Cultures Foundation, thanks to Richard H. Driehaus, in collaboration with INTBAU Spain, INTBAU Portugal, Fundaçao Serra Henriques, the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando, and the Ordem dos Arquitetos. It also holds the High Patronage of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Portugal.
With a €50,000 award, the prize aims to promote the value of traditional architecture as a reference for contemporary architectural practice. Since 2012, it has recognized outstanding professional careers in this field within Spain and Portugal.
The application period is open until April 22, 2025.
Collaboration with the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation
The Traditional Building Cultures Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation , which, thanks to its generous support, will enable four students from the United States to receive scholarships to participate in the upcoming edition of the Iberian Summer School.
The scholarships aim to provide talented students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the study and practice of the architecture and urbanism of a place with a very distinctive and beautiful traditional identity, enhancing both their academic and professional growth in this field.
These scholarships add to those already provided by other institutions and individuals, such as Fundaçao Serra Henriques, Fundación Arquia, The King’s Trust Australia, and Robert Adam.
– News –
Winner of the Richard H. Driehaus Prize 2025
Liam O’Connor has been awarded the 2025 Richard H. Driehaus Prize, granted by the University of Notre Dame.
The jury highlighted how, throughout his projects—ranging from commercial buildings, urban extensions, and residential buildings to cultural spaces, public buildings, and memorials—Liam O’Connor achieves an exceptional integration of the built environment, landscape, art, and construction details.
An article on his work, “British Normandy Memorial, Ver-sur-Mer, Calvados”, was published in the third issue of the Journal of Traditional Building, Architecture and Urbanism, edited by the Traditional Building Cultures Foundation.
During the same ceremony, the jury also awarded the Henry Hope Reed Award to architect Philippe Rotthier.
Vernacular Architecture Drawing Competition
The Table Ronde de l’Architecture has organized a drawing competition aimed at highlighting the vernacular architecture of different regions around the world. Participants can submit their entries until February 20, 2025.
The competition seeks to showcase vernacular traditions through drawing, including urban fabric, landscapes, architecture, materials, techniques, and characteristic ornamentation of each country. An online voting will take place on Facebook and Instagram on February 23, 2025.
The selected drawings will be exhibited in Bruges, with additional locations to be confirmed. After the exhibition, the works will become part of the Table Ronde de l’Architecture archives in Bruges, where they will be accessible to students and members of the network.
Launch of Baluarte – A Brazilian journal dedicated to traditional architecture
This biannual, bilingual publication (in English and Portuguese) reinforces the commitment of the Instituto Brasileiro de Arquitetura Tradicional (IBAT) and INTBAU Brazil to promoting the timeless principles of traditional architecture in the country.
The inaugural edition features articles by renowned international experts, addressing key topics in the field of traditional architecture.
TFM Awards for Architectural Heritage Conservation
The EMR-CPA Chair at the Universitat Politècnica de València has launched this call to recognize the best Master’s Final Projects (TFM) in the field of architectural heritage conservation, approved during the 2020/21, 2021/22, and 2022/23 academic years.
This first edition aims to grant a total of eight awards, divided into two categories, with a first prize of €1,000 and three honorable mentions of €250 in each category.
The Traditional Building Cultures Foundation will be part of the jury selecting the winning proposals.
Discussion on Traditional Architecture and Urbanism Summer Schools 2025
On Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 19:00 (CEST), a Zoom discussion on Traditional Architecture and Urbanism Summer Schools will take place, organized by INTBAU and TAG.
In a context where traditional architecture continues to be marginalized in formal education, these initiatives have emerged as an alternative to revive traditional design principles and their practical application. The event will bring together the founders of these programs, offering insight into their impact and the opportunities they provide.
During the discussion, the Iberian Summer School, organized by the Traditional Building Cultures Foundation in collaboration with INTBAU Spain and INTBAU Portugal, will be presented.
Winners announced for the Awards for Emerging Excellence in the Classical Tradition
The Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA), in collaboration with The King’s Foundation and INTBAU, has announced the winners of the Awards for Emerging Excellence in the Classical Tradition, which recognize young talents in architecture, landscape design, and craftsmanship.
Kate Chambers has received the Architecture Award for her mastery of classical design and its application in architectural projects.
Douglas Clark has been awarded the Bunny Mellon Award for Garden Design for his outstanding work with Janice Parker Landscape Architects.
Leyla Alekperova has been honored with the Excellence in Craftsmanship Award, recognizing her exceptional skill in plasterwork and her dedication to preserving her family’s legacy.
Miquel Ramis Bordoy: An Artisan Among Windmills
Miquel Ramis Bordoy has participated in the “Arts and Crafts” interview and lecture series, organized by the Fundación Juan March.
Awarded the 2021 Richard H. Driehaus Building Arts Award by the Traditional Building Cultures Foundation, Miquel is often referred to as “the last miller of Mallorca.” However, he insists that rather than being a miller, he is a master of mills, working with both wood and metal to restore and preserve these traditional structures.
– Education –
Oaxaca Summer School
The Oaxaca Summer School of Traditional Architecture and Urbanism will take place from June 22 to July 5 in Oaxaca, Mexico, organized by INTBAU Mexico. The program includes visits to iconic archaeological sites such as Mitla and Monte Albán.
In this edition, participants will have the opportunity to delve into the study of Oaxaca’s traditional architecture. The course offers a comprehensive experience, combining theory and practice, guided by national and international experts in traditional architecture.
No prior architectural background is required to participate. Registration is open, and places are limited.
Course on Mudejar Carpentry
This Mudejar Carpentry course will take place in Nájera, La Rioja, from October 6 to 10, 2025, and will be delivered by master carpenter Ángel María Martín and Mudejar carpentry expert Javier de Mingo.
The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts
The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts has announced a new series of courses for 2025, among which two online programs stand out: The Geometry of Cosmatesque Ornament, which will take place from March 5 to April 9, 2025, taught by Magdalena Ganestam. Patterns from the Al Aqsa Mosque, scheduled from April 25 to May 23, 2025, taught by Mohammad Abdul Aziz.
Hands-on workshop on traditional formulation of air lime mortars
This course, organized by the Museo de la Cal de Morón, will be led by master painter and scagliola artisan Luis Prieto and will take place at his workshop in Madrid. Luis Prieto was awarded the Richard H. Driehaus Building Arts Award in 2019.
Fibranzas: Fiber Laboratory
“Fibranzas” is part of the “Learning from Tradition: Crafts and Techniques” series, a pioneering program promoted by the Xunta de Galicia through the Fundación Artesanía de Galicia, aimed at reviving and passing on traditional techniques.
The training program offers 8 places and consists of 200 hours, divided into 9 workshops held between February and November 2025, each lasting between 2 and 4 days. Full attendance is required to complete the course.
Workshop on traditional and vernacular architecture rehabilitation with bioconstruction principles
The Instituto Iscles and Okambuva have organized the “Workshop on traditional and vernacular architecture rehabilitation with bioconstruction principles”, a program that combines theory and practice and will take place in the rural setting of Cajigar, Huesca.
The workshop will be held between March and June 2025, with a cost of €525, which includes training, accommodation, and meals during the in-person phase.
– Conferences, seminars and lectures –
Terra World Congress
The Terra World Congress, now in its 14th edition, will take place from April 13 to 16, 2026. This international event focuses on the study and preservation of the architectural, archaeological, and landscape heritage of earthen architecture. It is organized under the auspices of ICOMOS – ISCEAH, the International Scientific Committee on Earthen Architectural Heritage.
The deadline for abstract submissions is April 13, 2025.
14th International Congress on Molinology (CIMO)
The city of León will host the XIV International Congress on Molinology (CIMO), which will take place from October 16 to 19, 2025. This event is organized by the University of León and the Association for the Conservation and Study of Mills (ACEM), in collaboration with the León City Council and with the support of the Juanelo Turriano Foundation and the Institute of Humanism and Classical Tradition (ULE).
7th International Congress on Roman Engineering
The 7th International Congress on Roman Engineering will take place from February 13 to 15, 2025, at the Aula Magna of the Paraninfo Building at the University of Zaragoza. The event is organized by the Civil Engineering Foundation and the College of Technical Engineers of Public Works.
