The Mediterranean Union of Architects (UMAR) has announced the winners of its very first Mediterranean Architecture Award. The international jury, convened in Istanbul on September 25-26, 2026, recognized exceptional residential projects embodying the theme 'Living Mediterranean Culture' through innovation, sustainability, and respect for local identities.
Orma Architettura stood out, securing the First Prize for its remarkable communal housing project in Cristinacce. The jury particularly commended the project's perfect integration into its environment, blending demanding contemporary architecture with exemplary management of the region's specific climatic and energy resources.
The four founding architects of Orma Architettura, Alicia Orsini, François Tramoni, Jean-Mathieu de Lipowski, and Michel De Rocca Serra, are alumni of ENSA•Marseille. The agency has maintained strong ties with the school, serving as the sponsoring agency for the 2022/2023 PFE (final year project) promotion and presenting their commitments and projects during a conference in October 2024.
Through this award, UMAR reaffirms the essential role of architects in the ecological transition and the preservation of the Mediterranean's living heritage. The next edition of this major distinction is already scheduled for 2028.
