Andorra Architecture Awards Unveil Eight Finalists for Inaugural Edition

The Andorra Architecture Awards have advanced to the final stage, with the jury announcing eight finalist projects selected from 21 submissions across 15 candidatures for the inaugural edition organised by the Col·legi Oficial d’Arquitectes d’Andorra (COAA).

Winners will be determined by a mix of public votes on Instagram and independent jury evaluations, with the announcement scheduled for 4 June at 18:30 at Ràdio Andorra. Jury member Pere Aixàs described the overall level of entries as "quite high," pointing to diverse approaches and standout elements in many proposals. The panel requested supplementary materials like plans and graphics in some instances, and held meetings with project teams to explore design choices, site relationships, and adaptation to Andorra's context. He noted the value of site visits by the two international jurors, French architect Yann Legouis and Spanish architect Marta Peris.

In the new builds category, the finalists include Ordino’s Sports Training Centre by Marc Monegal, Encamp’s Ossa Park by Lluís Ginjaume and Gerard Veciana (moved from the landscape category), and Coll de la Botella by Xavier Orteu. For rehabilitation and reform, the projects are Casa Xarré (also referred to as Casa Xarret) by Xavier Orteu, Enclar’s Bell Tower at Sant Vicenç church by Lluís Ginjaume, and Ràdio Andorra by Enric Dilmé. The landscape category, which received the fewest entries, features Encamp avenue remodelling—from Rosaleda to Plaça Sant Miquel, also called Avinguda Mitterrand—by Miquel Mercé, and Plaça del Poble by Marta Ruiz and Mario Blanco.

COAA dean Laura Sánchez welcomed the debut participation as a strong start, despite some initial hesitation among professionals due to the awards' novelty. She credited the four-to-five-month preparation effort to the competitions commission, sponsors, and organisers, and thanked the jury for their commitment. Sánchez stressed that the focus remained on Andorran projects to highlight local quality, but future editions—whether annual or biennial—aim to expand scope, enabling Principat works to gain international exposure and compete more broadly.

Projects from this edition will feature at a professional forum stand in Barcelona this July, as an initial push for greater visibility. Sánchez affirmed that Andorran architecture merits wider attention, positioning the awards as a platform to showcase it effectively.