Since 2015, the Prix Versailles has rewarded the most remarkable achievements combining culture and commercial architecture.
Chaired this year by philosopher Gilles Lipovetsky (France), the World Judges Panel also includes the architects Thom Mayne (United States), Lu Wenyu (China) and Thomas Vonier (United States), the designer Jasper Morrison (United Kingdom), the disc-jockey Charlotte de Witte (Bel-gium), the filmmaker Mahamat-Saleh Haroun (Chad - France) and the mountaineer Samina Baig (Pakistan).
A total of 24 projects from around the world were celebrated this year from amongst the 94 finalists shortlisted by the World Selections (in the categories of Airports, Campuses, Passenger Stations and Sports) or recognized as continental laureates (in the categories of Shops & Stores, Shopping Malls, Hotels and Restaurants).
The Official Announcement, which took place at UNESCO Headquarters on 19 December 2022, gave Gilles Lipovetsky the opportunity to reiterate the excellence of the finalist projects.
This year’s choice of laureates – which pays tribute to innovation, creativity, reflections of local heritage, ecological efficiency and the values of social interaction and participation which the United Nations holds in high regard – is in line with the principles of intelligent sustainability, taking the projects’ ecological, social and cultural impacts into consideration.
The Samaritaine project, first winner of the Prix Versailles Europe, wins the world title in its category for its successful alliance between the restoration of its architectural heritage classified as a Historic Monument and its rebirth as a department store in 2021 after 16 years of closing.
