Winners of the anotHERVIEWture Award 2026

statement of the jury | Anja Innauer has won over the jury with architecture that responds sensitively to the site, the existing built environment and societal needs. Her three submitted projects impressively demonstrate how new qualities can emerge through precise extension, careful transformation and a natural approach to working with what already exists.

In doing so, Innauer combines high design quality with a remarkable naturalness in the details. Her architecture does not seek grand gestures but derives its strength from a precise examination of the respective context, from materiality, atmosphere and the question of how spaces can function well in the long term.

The jury particularly commends this approach: a contemporary, distinctive architecture that treats the existing with respect and develops new perspectives from it. Anja Innauer thus exemplifies a building culture that takes responsibility without compromising on architectural precision and expressiveness.

For this consistent combination of contextual sensitivity, design quality and responsible development, the jury has named Anja Innauer ‘Female Architect of the Year 2026’.

statement of the jury | Nina Beck’s work brilliantly demonstrates how circular thinking can be applied not only to construction but also to usage, in order to preserve existing structures and foster community. Her approach always begins with a question—one answered not by a specific solution, but through dialogue: a dialogue with the people who use the space; a dialogue between existing and newly built structures; and a dialogue between tradition and the future. The architecture she creates is defined by sensitivity, collaboration, and appreciation. Nina Beck shows how—through courage, curiosity, and active engagement—conventional approaches can be challenged, and how architecture can be understood as a process that fosters identity and conserves resources while creating added value for everyone.

statement of the jury | Following the 2020 Zagreb earthquakes, structural engineer Vlatka Rajčić led the reconstruction of the historic dome and annular vault of the Croatian Association of Fine Artists building, completed in 1938. The extremely thin reinforced-concrete shells with their characteristic glass prisms were severely deteriorated and required complete removal and modern facsimile reconstruction.

Newly developed glass prisms, optimised reinforcement, extensive material testing and an innovative glass-to-concrete connection significantly improved structural capacity, durability and watertightness while preserving the architectural character of the monument. The project represents an exceptional combination of engineering expertise, innovation, structural precision and heritage conservation.

statement of the jury | Elisa Valero’s work demonstrates a strong belief in architecture as a tool for addressing real human needs. Across very different contexts, her projects respond to necessity with precision, care and a remarkable sense of social responsibility.

The jury values not only the aesthetic and spatial quality of her architecture, but also her sustainable approach: preserving and reusing what exists, minimizing waste, avoiding excess, and working intelligently with available and local resources. These principles are an integral part of her architecture and a meaningful response to today’s environmental challenges.

Through restraint and an intelligent use of available resources, Elisa Valero creates architecture that solves problems while providing dignity, beauty and a strong sense of place.