The winners of the prestigious 2025 Eiffel Competition have been announced, showcasing the architectural richness and innovation possible through steel construction. Organized by ConstruirAcier and presided over by architect Dietmar Feichtinger, this year's competition recognized eight outstanding agencies from 80 submitted applications during a ceremony held on October 15, 2025, in Paris.
The competition specifically honored projects that were "entirely or partially realized using steel as a material and delivered between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024," according to the organizers. The annual Eiffel Architecture Awards celebrate projects that demonstrate both aesthetic excellence and technical innovation through the use of steel.
In the "Learning" category, Dadour de Pous Architecture received top honors for their partial rehabilitation project of the School of Architecture and Landscape in Lille. This intervention successfully enhanced the building's modernist architecture while improving its environmental performance. The project strategically utilized the existing 4.5 x 4.5-meter column-beam framework to open up volumes and provide new breathing space throughout the structure.
The renovation introduced innovative new spaces within two bioclimatic glass atriums, strategically positioned over the entrance hall and the former covered patio. Previously inaccessible rooftop terraces were also transformed into functional spaces. According to ConstruirAcier, "Steel, used for new frames and structures, proves to be a discreet but essential ally, combining aesthetic finesse, performance, and reversibility."
The competition featured multiple categories beyond "Learning," including "Entertainment," "Dynamic," "Crossing," "Reuse," "Rehabilitation," "Working," and a special "Coup de Cœur" (Heart's Choice) award. Each category highlighted different applications and innovative uses of steel in contemporary architecture, demonstrating the material's versatility across various building types and functions.
The 2025 Eiffel Competition continues to serve as a benchmark for excellence in steel architecture, promoting sustainable construction practices while celebrating the material's capacity for both structural innovation and aesthetic beauty. The recognition of these eight projects underscores the ongoing evolution of steel as a primary material in modern architectural design, combining environmental responsibility with cutting-edge design solutions.
