Elisa Valero

Since its creation in 2007, the Swiss Architectural Award promoted by the Swiss Architectural Foundation with the Accademia di architettura of Mendrisio has become one of the most important architecture prizes, distinguishing emerging practitioners with at least three prominent buildings and whose work is defined by the sensibility towards landscape, ecology, and the ethical and aesthetic challenges of the discipline. In its sixth edition, the biennial prize has gone to Elisa Valero, chair professor at the University of Granada. The jury, presided by Mario Botta as in previous editions, has selected three works: the school extension in Cerillo de Maracena, Granada (2013-2014), the experimental dwellings in Granada (2015-2016), and the church in Playa Granada (2015-2016). From Valero’s career the jury highlighted those aspects in tune with the spirit of the prize, such as “a strong personal commitment and innovative research of construction solutions,” making a good use of “limited resources.” It is the first time a woman wins the Swiss Architectural Award, and the second time it goes to a Spaniard, after José María Sánchez García in 2014.