Applications
for the 2024 edition are open !

Respond to the theme “Architecture under construction”
before May 31, 2024

The theme of this year’s Journées de l’Architecture and Archifoto is Architecture under construction.
The building site is one of architecture’s defining moments, it implies movement and experimentation. Whether it is on the scale of a building, or even on the scale of a city, it can be the embodiment of a social project, summoning up the collective, verging on disorder. This concept, full of meaning, evokes either a stage in construction, a place to store materials, a support for work or, in a more familiar way, the unfinished.

Based on the premise that architecture is itself a construction site, a constant process that implies an incessant renewal of practices, materials and people, this theme stimulates reflection: what will the architecture of tomorrow be ? What are the major projects, construction sites of today?

The associations European House of Architecture – Upper Rhine and La Chambre are working together to enhance architectural photography. For every new edition of their festival Les Journées de l’architecture (The Days of Architecture), both associations care to offer a discovery of architecture through original photos and exhibitions, introducing to their audiences the work of international photographers.

In 2010, these two associations took the decision of expanding their fields of cooperation by launching the Archifoto– international awards of architectural photography contest. Archifoto aims to become a reference award by rewarding the photographers whose vision help us understand architecture, the urban landscape and the world…

The creative and documentary selection of Archifoto could become an original corpus about the complexity and the scale of architecture nowadays, seen through the eyes of those who live within.

Call for applicationThe competition rules Apply for the contest

FAQ

– I am under-age, can I still take part in the contest?
No, minors cannot take part in the contest.

– I am not a citizen of the European Union, can I still take part in the contest?
In addition to the nationals of the 27 member states of the European Union, Archifoto accepts applications from the following countries: Norway, Lichtenstein, Switzerland, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland.

– I am a volunteer and/or a member of the European House of Architecture – Upper Rhine or La Chambre, can I still take part in the contest?
The contest is open to any legally adult person within their respective country, regardless of their age or nationality.
The persons unauthorized to take part in this contest are the following: anyone who has a juridical link to the organizing structure and the sponsors of this operation (permanent and occasional collaborators, their immediate family, ascendants, descendants, spouses or concubines). Any infringement of this term will result in an automatic exclusion from this contest.

– Are there registration fees?
Yes, we charge a management fee of 10€.

– What should be included in the application file?
The regulation, which is to download on this website, is closely detailing this question.

– How many photographs should I send?
You must send five photographs. You should make sure that they form a coherent set.

– The photographs must reflect the theme of the 2024 edition « Architecture under construction ». But how should we interpret it?
It is precisely what the contest is about: the organizing members allow the entrants to let their imagination and the possibilities for them to freely address this subject according to their sensibility, experiences, beliefs, etc. The mandatory accompanying text (1000 signs max) should help the photographers explaining their approach and verbalizing what they meant to say with their images.

– Will there be an exhibition of these photographs? And if so, where?
The jury will select 5 photographers whose works will be produced (media and formats to be agreed between the organisers and the author).
This selection will be shown in an exhibition at La Chambre (Strasbourg), which will open in September 2024 during the Journées de l’Architecture. The dates and location of the exhibition will be specified by the organisers at a later date.

– What are the financial conditions for the winners?
The authors of the selected photographs agree to transfer to La Chambre and the Maison Européenne de l’Architecture their reproduction and representation rights, excluding any commercial use, for the following uses: travelling exhibition of the works, communication relating to the promotion of the event in the traditional and multimedia media, possible publication of a catalogue, supply and use of a photographic collection. The photographs selected will remain the property of the authors. They will each be compensated with a lump sum of €500 including tax.

– Is there buildings that requires a specific authorization for shooting and disseminating images?
It is usually not problematic to take pictures of any building excepting in the locations where photographs are prohibited for safety purposes and as part of the terrorist security plans (subways, military buildings, etc.) In these sort of cases, it is preferable to obtain an authorization delivered by the competent department (public transport company, Ministry of the Armies…).
Concerning the other buildings is this authorization not mandatory, but must not prejudice the architect and/or the project owner. It is however recommended to contact the landlord and/or the resident of this building in order to explain the project. Then is it also preferable to contact the architect or the project owner to have their written authorization.

– How ist the jury selected?
The jury will be composed of German, French and Swiss personalities (organizing members, public and private sponsors and prominent people of the architectural and photographic world).

– In addition to the 2,000 € prize and the 5 winners, you mention “selections”, what are these?
The jury will select 5 to 10 photographers whose images will be presented by means of a projection (slide show) during the exhibition and will remain on the Archifoto website. These images are presented within the framework of the exhibition without financial compensation, with the agreement of the authors.

– When will the announcement of the results take place?
After the jury’s deliberation, the results will be communicated to the entrants in the course of the month of May 2024, only by email.

– When will the award ceremony take place?
The award ceremony for the winner of the 2 000€ prize and the specials mentions of the jury will take place in September 2024 at La Chambre in Strasbourg (date and place to be dis- closed) during the exhibition’s opening.