EDITORIAL: LAUNCH OF THE PRIX W 2027

 

Dear students and young architects,

For this new edition, we invite you to take a fresh look at an iconic monument of the Mediterranean: the Château d’If.

A legendary fortress, a witness to history and collective imagination, the Château d’If becomes a space for experimentation, where contemporary reflection brings together heritage, artistic creation, and ephemeral architecture.

Your mission ? To imagine a contemporary intervention — light, reversible, and evolving — capable of revealing the monument in a new way. Whether it takes the form of a performance pavilion, an artistic installation, a maritime theatre, or a landscape intervention, your proposal should create a sensitive dialogue between the memory of the site and the challenges of contemporary creation.

Through this edition, the PRIX W invites you to explore the potential of architecture as a cultural experience, by imagining a monument enhanced through live performances, artistic practices, and the Mediterranean landscape. The aim is to design bold, responsible, and reversible projects, capable of adding a new layer to the history of the Château d’If without ever altering its identity.

We look forward to discovering your visions and interpretations of this exceptional site.

More than just a competition, this new edition is an invitation to experiment, to create a dialogue between architecture, art, and heritage, and to imagine interventions that transform the way we perceive a historic place.

We are counting on you to make this new edition of the PRIX W a significant moment of reflection and architectural creation.

To your pencils, models, and screens!

 
 
 

PROGRAM

Château d’If, a Contemporary Graft: Temporary Architecture, Art and Landscape in the Mediterranean. The competition invites students and young architects to imagine a contemporary graft on the site of Château d’If, an iconic monument of the Mediterranean.

The objective is to create a temporary, lightweight, reversible, and heritage-conscious intervention capable of revealing the monument from a new perspective. The project should establish a dialogue between architecture, the maritime landscape, artistic creation, and the memory of the site.

The Three Dimensions of the Contemporary Graft

1. Temporary Architecture Within the Island’s Enclosure

Imagine a temporary structure installed within or around the castle, capable of hosting a cultural and artistic programme.

This architecture may include:

a perfoming arts venue;

an exhibition venue;

meeting and gathering spaces.

Indicative surface area: flexible, depending on the proposed concept..

The structure must be independent, dismantlable, and designed as a temporary presence in dialogue with the existing architecture.

2. A Contemporary Extension Towards the Sea

The sea becomes a natural continuation of Château d’If.

Projects may imagine a floating extension or maritime architecture including:

a floating stage;

a cultural platform on the water;

a performance or exhibition space;

technical and reception areas.

Indicative surface area: open, depending on the proposed concept.

This extension should create a new relationship between the castle, the island, the sea, and the city of Marseille.

The stage may host performances, concerts, artistic interventions, or nighttime events.

3. An Immersive Artistic Intervention

The project must incorporate an artistic dimension capable of temporarily transforming the perception of the monument.

Inspired by major temporary interventions in public space, such as the monumental works of Christo or other contemporary artists, this intervention may take the form of:

a monumental veil or envelope; a textile installation; a light-based artwork; a video projection; a sound creation; an intervention visible from the sea or from Marseille.

This temporary “second skin” should reveal the identity of Château d’If through a sensitive and memorable experience.

Indicative surface area or footprint: open, depending on the proposed concept.

The project should imagine a new contemporary layer for Château d’If: a temporary presence between architecture, art, and the Mediterranean landscape, while preserving the natural environment of the Calanques National Park.

A graft capable of transforming the way this historic monument is perceived and, for a moment, inscribing a new story into the landscape of the Mediterranean.

Book your interactive guided tour !

For students who are unable to visit the Île d’If in person, a remote visit is also available by reservation via the following links:

October, 22, 2026
November, 20, 2026
DECEMBER, 18, 2026
JANUARY, 15, 2027

Key Dates

 
 

Launch of the twelfth edition of the W Prize: October, 1st, 2026.

Deadline to submit questions: February,1st,2027.

Deadline to register online: February, 1st, 2027 at midnight.

Submission of your project: Week of 22 February 2027.

Selection of projects by the jury: Week of 1st March.

Inauguration of the exhibition in Venice: May 6, 2027

*You can send your projects on prixw@wilmotte.fr from fevruary, 15, 2027.

 
 
 

Cahier des charges Prix W 2027
Specification Prix W 2027

 

Documents to be supplied

Please submit only one project per team.

Each team/participant may submit only one project. The submission must be made in electronic format.

It will be done in one go on the website www.prixw.com/submission25 from February 22 to February 28, 2027.

Content of the render

1/ Graphic documents

- 3 boards in PDF in format A1 (landscape orientation)

- A compilation of those 3 boards, gathered into one A4 document (PDF)

Content of the boards:

Open content materials: masterplan, plans, images, sections, axonometries, shemas, sketchbook, etc.

The render must at least include a masterplan, a floor plan, a Sections and Elevations plan and images.

The A1 have to be anonymous. In order to respect the principle of anonymity, please insure that all elements submitted do not contain any names or indication of identity.

Format of the boards

Render format: .PDF

The orientation must be indicated on all plans.

The scale must be indicated on all documents.

The text and legends must be in either French or English.  

  • Each of the 3 A1 required boards must be sent in a distinct PDF weighing less than 10 Mo (300 dpi).

Please note that those boards will be needed in high resolution if you are selected.

Please name them: NAME-FORENAME_1.pdf, NAME-FORENAME_2.pdf and NAME-FORENAME_3.pdf.

  • The compilation A4 must not weight more than 5Mo.

Please name the compilation: NAME-FORENAME_123.pdf

N.B.: This document of 3 pages gathers your 3 A1 boards (1 page per board, landscape orientation) in one document in A4.

 

It is the responsibility of each candidate or team to insure that the graphic presentation is designed to be easily reproduced for inclusion in any eventual publications. All candidates not respecting this criteria will be disqualified.

N.B.: You are also allowed to provide, if you want, a vidéo (max 2 min; < 10 Mo). Optional.

 

2/ Written document

A brief text explaining your project in less than 500 words.

Render format: A4 (portrait orientation) in .PDF, .DOC, .DOCX

The document must be named: NAME-FORENAME_TXT

For your information: your project must have a title (it will be asked when you download your project).

 

3/ Administrative documents

For each member of the team: Proof of your inscription in architecture school and/or diploma.

Accepted formats: .PDF, ..JPG, . PNG, .BMP

The document must be named: NAME-FORENAME_DIP

The documents must be less than 5 Mo each.

 
 
 

RULES OF PRIX W 2027

In the event of a conflict between either versions, the French version shall take precedence.

II – COMPETITION RULES

 

_ Article 1: Purpose

Through the organization of the Prix W 2027 award, the Foundation emphasizes the level of importance of the architectural and urban grafting for the preservation of the European heritage and its evolution in our contemporary world. In addition, the Foundation wishes to offer the opportunity for future architects to test and fine-tune their creative potential.

 

_ Article 2: Entry guidelines

The competition is open to architecture students and young architects from European Union and Switzerland schools but also Serbia, Montenegro, and Georgia… who graduated after 1 January 2024. They will have to prove their current or past registration in a school. Participation in the competition may be individual or as a team of a maximum of two people, each member of the team having to meet the criteria mentioned above.

A candidate may only participate once in the competition and with one project. Multiple entries will automatically result in individual and collective disqualification if the entry is made as part of a team.

Employees of Wilmotte & Associés, current or former, may not participate directly or indirectly in the competition. Their participation will automatically lead to individual and collective disqualification, if they participate as part of a team.

Participation is free.

 

_ Article 3: Organization of the competition

The languages of the competition are French and English. All the documents submitted must be made in either one of these two languages.

Registration

Registration have to be online on www.prixw.com.

Documents are available for download after registration.

Questions – Answers

Questions about the project or the procedure can be submitted on the prixw.com website until February, 1st, 2027, midnight. Answers will be communicated to all participants through the newsletters.

Handing in of the projects

The deadline for handing in the projects online from February,15, 2027.  You can send your projects from February, 22 to February, 28, 2027 on prixw@wilmotte.fr.

Applicants must comply with the submission criteria as set out in the competition specifications below.

Applicants who do not comply with these criteria will be disqualified.

Any complaints must be made within fourteen days of the announcement of the results.

Results

The jury will meet in the days following the submission to select the winners. The awards ceremony will take place on May, 6, 2027 at the Foundation's gallery in Venice. The winning projects will be exhibited and presented to the press on that occasion.

The first three winners are required to attend this event, otherwise they will lose the awards listed below.

The Foundation will cover the travel and accommodation costs of the 3 winning teams.

*Students from the UK are still eligible to participate in the competition.

In case of dispute, only the French rules will be valid.

_ Article 4: Selection of prize-winners

The Jury

The international jury is composed of architects, journalists, urban planners and other qualified figures. The president of the jury will be elected by its co-jurors.

 

Jury organization

The jury selects the projects during March 2027. The names of the Winners will be released after final jury deliberation.

The selected projects will be exhibited to the public during the Venice Architecture Biennale 2027 and will be published by the Foundation.

Selection Criteria

The jury will award the prizes based on the following criteria:

  • Site analysis

  • Originality and creativity of the concept

  • Quality of urban and architectural graft

  • Quality of the render

  • Clarity of the proposition

This list is not exhaustive list and is given as an indication. The order and weighting criteria are left to the discretion of the jury.

The jury may nominate projects or award special distinctions if it deems necessary. It may also decide not to award all the prizes if the quality or the number of submitted projects proves to be insufficient.

_ Article 5: PRIZES

The prizes will be attributed as follows:

1st Prize: The first prize-winner will receive a 8,000 Euros grant.

2nd Prize: The second prize winner will receive a 6,000 Euros grant.

3rd Prize: The third prize-winner will receive a 3,000 Euros grant.

The three winners and the projects mentioned will be exhibited in Venice at the Wilmotte Foundation Gallery during the 2025 International Architecture Biennale.

All these projects will also be included in a publication dedicated to the Prix W.

Participants will not be entitled to any other compensation.

_ Article 6: Ownership and use of projects and information provided by the candidates

Documents and projects submitted will not be returned to the candidates.

The organisers reserve the right of non-commercial usage of the projects and identity of the participants, for exhibition, publication and communication purposes for which they are to be the sole judges, without limitation in time. The organisers may also make copies (meaning textual, graphic or photographic representations) of submitted documents for the same purposes.

The participants remain owners of their projects and of their rights of exploitation.

In application of the French «database and privacy» law (law 78-17 of January 6th 1978 regarding data processing and privacy), the participants are hereby informed that the personal information collected for the present competition is necessary for the organisation of the competition. The information is for the sole usage of the Wilmotte Foundation. By the act of registering and transmitting personal information, competition candidates agree to these conditions, and are entitled to access and correct this information.


_ Article 7: GUIDELINES

The Wilmotte Foundation reserves the right to extend or, in case of absolute necessity, to cancel the present contest. The Wilmotte Foundation undertakes to inform the participants of this, but cannot be held responsible for this.

In case of ambiguity or conflict, the interpretations given by the President of the Jury to the French version of the present rules, the subject and the specifications will be considered authoritative.

Registration for the competition implies full acceptance and adherence to these rules

-

Each team/participant may submit only one project. The submission must be made in electronic format.

It will be done in one go on the website www.prixw.com/submission27 before February 28, 2027.

Please read the conditions of participation below and consult the F.A.Q. regularly

 

 

1. Conditions de participation : diplômes et études
Participation conditions: graduation and studies

1.1. Mon diplôme date d’avant le 1er janvier 2024, puis-je participer ?

Non. Le concours est réservé aux architectes récemment diplômés et aux étudiants en architecture. La date du diplôme doit donc impérativement être postérieure au 01/01/2024.

1.1. I graduated before January 1, 2024, can I participate?

No. The competition is open exclusively to architect students and recent graduates. You must therefore have been awarded after January the 1st, 2024.

1.2. Je suis diplômé (ADE) avant 2024, mais j’ai passé mon HMONP après 2025, puis-je participer ?

Non. C’est la date du diplôme d’Etat (ADE) qui sera prise en compte. Celle du HMONP n’entre pas en ligne de compte.

1.2. If I graduated before 2024, but did my HMONP after 2025, can I participate?

No. The date of the State Architect Diploma is relevant, not the HMONP’s.

1.3. Que signifie “étudiant” dans votre règlement ?

« Etudiant » inclue tous les étudiants en architecture, de la 1ère à la dernière année.

1.3. What does « student » stand for in your rules?

“Student” embraces any student in architecture schools, from first grade to diploma.

1.4. Je suis diplômé d’une école en architecture européenne, Suisse, Serbe, du Monténégro, Ukrainienne ou Géorgienne mais je vis et travaille en dehors de ces régions. Est-ce que je peux participer au concours ?

Oui. Si votre diplôme a été décerné par une école de l'un de ces pays, vous pouvez participer au concours quel que soit votre lieu de résidence et/ou travail.

1.4. I graduated from a European (or from Switzerland, Serbia, Montenegro, Ukraine and Georgia) architecture school, but now I live/work outside these area. Am I authorized to take part in the Prix W?

Yes. If your diploma has been awarded by a one of these country school, you may participate wherever you live or work.

1.5. Comment prouver que je suis étudiant en école d’architecture ? En quelle langue doit être le document ?

Il faut demander une attestation d’inscription à votre école.
Cette attestation peut se faire dans la langue du pays d’études (donc cette attestation peut ne pas être uniquement en français ou anglais).
N.B. : Ce document sera à remettre lors du dépôt de votre projet.

1.5. How do I prove that I am a student in architecture?
In which language must be the document?

You have to ask your school for a certificate of enrolment.
This certificate can be in the language of your school’s country (it means it doesn’t have to be in French nor English).
N.B.: This certificate will have to be uploaded when submitting your project.

1.6. Je suis étudiant/jeune diplômé en tant qu'architecte paysagiste. Puis-je participer au concours ?

Oui, les paysagistes peuvent s'inscrire s'ils sont étudiants/diplômés d'une école d'architecture.

1.6. I am student/young graduated as a landscape architect. Can I register?

Yes. Landscape architects can register if they are students/graduates from architecture schools.

2. Conditions de participation : équipe
Participation conditions: team

2.1. Comment s'inscrire en équipe ?

Chacun des membres de l'équipe doit s'inscrire individuellement sur le site du prix. Vous pouvez inviter votre partenaire au moment de votre inscription.
Vous pourrez soumettre votre projet en équipe au moment de l'ouverture de la plateforme de dépôt de dossier.
Chaque membre de l'équipe doit respecter les conditions d'inscription.

2.1. How to register as a team ?

Each member of the team has to register individually on the website. You can invite your teammate while your register.
You'll be able to submit your project as a team once we'll open the Submission platform.
Each member of the team must meet the registration requirements.

2.2. Peut-on être plus que deux par équipe ?

Non. Vous ne pouvez pas être plus de deux par équipe.

2.2 Can we be more than two by team?

No. Teams are limited to two members.

2.3. Si nous nous présentons en équipe, les 2 membres d’équipes doivent-ils obligatoirement être tous les 2 diplômés après 2024 ? Les 2 doivent-ils être architectes ou étudiants en architecture ?

Oui. S’il y a équipe, les 2 membres de l’équipe doivent être étudiants en architecture ou jeunes diplômés en architecture, et tous les 2 doivent l’être après le 01/01/2024.

2.3. If we participate as a team, do the 2 members of the team both need to have graduated before 2024 ? Do they both need to be architects or architecture students?

Yes. If you enter as a team, both members must be architecture student or have graduated from a school of architecture, both after 01/01/20204.

2.4. J'ai changé d'avis par rapport à ce que j'avais marqué lors de mon inscription : je ne veux plus être en binôme / je veux changer de binôme / je veux ajouter un binôme (et ne plus candidater seul).

Ce n’est pas un problème. Le contenu de cette inscription est indicatif. Cela sert à vous permettre de télécharger les documents (et à pouvoir vous contacter). Ce n’est pas une formalisation de votre équipe.
C’est seulement lors du dépôt de votre projet, en avril, que vous inscrirez définitivement qui est votre éventuel binôme.
(Pour information, lors du dépôt de votre projet en équipe, il faudra inscrire d'abord un premier participant, puis cliquer "Yes" à la question "Avez-vous un binôme" afin d'inscrire le deuxième participant. Cet ordre d'inscription n'a pas de conséquence, les 2 co-équipiers seront à égalité.)

2.4. I changed my mind concerning the collaboration I declared when I registered: I want to add a team mate / I want to change my team mate / I don’t want to be in the team I declared anymore

It is not a problem. The informations are only indicative. It is used to allow you to download the documents (and to be able to contact you). It is not an official description of your team.
You will give us your “final” team mate (if any) only when you will submit your project, in April.


(For information: when you will submit your project, you will have to register the first participant, and then click "Yes" at the question "Do you have a teammate?" in order to register the second participant. This registration order has no consequences. The 2 team mates will be on an equal footing.)

3. Conditions de participation : autres questions
Participation conditions: other questions

3.1. J’ai déjà participé à un précédent Prix W, puis-je de concourir à nouveau pour l’édition de 2027 ?

Oui, vous pouvez concourir à nouveau, si vous respectez les conditions du règlement.

3.1. I already took part in a former Prix W, can I participate again in 2027?

Yes, you can compete again, as long as you meet all the criteria.

4. Fonctionnement du site web : inscription, documents à télécharger, dépôt, etc.
How to use the website: register, documents to upload, submission, etc.

4.1. Comment participer ?

Inscrivez-vous en cliquant ici pour pouvoir télécharger les documents. Pour tout problème de téléchargement, contactez-nous par mail prixw@wilmotte.fr.

4.1. How to participate ?

Register by signing up here, in order to be able to download the files. If you encounter any difficulties downloading the files, please contact us at prixw@wilmotte.fr.

4.2. Comment récupérer des plans des sites ?

Nous fournirons les fichiers du site proposé via le google drive. Vous y retrouverez des informations nécessaires.

4.2. How to find maps of the site?

We will provide the files of the site via the google drive. You will find the necessary informations.

4.3. Je ne trouve pas le cahier des charges.

Vous trouverez des informations concernant le rendu dans la page du site « Programme ».
Ces informations sont compilées dans un document pdf : Règlement de la consultation.

4.3. I don’t find the specification document.

You will find information about the render in the webpage « Program ».
All the information is gathered in one pdf file: Rules and Program.

4.4. Comment envoyer les fichiers ?

Vous pourrez déposer vos dossiers dès l'ouverture de la plateforme, du 22 février au 28 février 2027 à minuit en ligne. Vous serez notifié par email.

4.4. How do I send project files ?

You'll be able to upload your projects once we'll open the submission platform from February 22 to February 28, 2027 at midnight online. You'll get notified by email.

5. Le rendu : structure
The render: structure

5.1. Existe-t-il un gabarit officiel ?

Non, il n’y a pas de gabarit. La structure des planches est libre, mais elles doivent être en format A1 paysage et anonyme.

5.1. Is there a formal template?

No, there is no template. The structuration of the boards is up to you, but they have to be A1 format, landscape orientation and anonymous.

5.2. Qu'entendez-vous par "compilation des 3 planches A1 en un A4" ?

Nous souhaitons recevoir 1 document pdf de 3 pages reprenant vos 3 planches : une planche par page, orientation paysage, format A4, <5 Mo.
Il ne s'agit pas d'une sélection, mais juste de vos 3 planches réunies en un seul document pdf format A4.

5.2. What do you mean by "A compilation of those 3 boards, gathered into one A4"?

We want 1 pdf document of 3 pages containing your 3 boards: 1 page per board, landscape orientation, A4 format, <5 Mo.
It does not mean a selection, but just to gather your 3 boards in one pdf document (A4 format).

5.3. Peut-on ajouter une vidéo ?

Vous êtes autorisés à ajouter une vidéo (durée 2 min ; taille < 10 Mo). Non obligatoire.

5.3. Can we add a video ?

You are allowed to add a video (length 2 min; size < 10 MB). Not mandatory.

5.4. Nous répondons en équipe. Comment nommer le document "2/Pièce écrite" (le texte décrivant votre projet) ?

Nous souhaitons que vous nommiez votre document "NOM-PRENOM_TXT".
En cas d'équipe, merci de mettre les nom et prénom de celui qui s'inscrira en premier lors du dépôt.
Pour information, lors du dépôt de votre projet, il faudra inscrire d'abord un premier participant, puis cliquer "Yes" à la question "Avez vous un binôme" afin d'inscrire le deuxième participant.
Cet ordre d'inscription n'a pas de conséquence, les 2 co-équipiers seront à égalité.

5.4. We are a team. How do we name the document "2/ Written document" (the text explaining your project).

We want you to name it NAME-FORENAME_TXT. If you are a team, please use the name and forename of the first of you that will register when submitting.
For information: when you will submit your project, you will have to register the first participant, and then click "Yes" at the question "Do you have a teammate?" in order to register the second participant.
This registration order has no consequences. The 2 team mates will be on an equal footing.

6. Le rendu : programme
The render: program

7. Problèmes techniques
Technical problems

7.1. Je n'ai pas reçu le mail de confirmation d'inscription

Nous n'envoyons plus d'email de confirmation. Complétez le formulaire et vous serez inscrit !

7.1. I didn't receive the confirmation email!

We don't send confirmation email anymore. Fill the online form and you'll be registered.

8. Autres questions
Other questions

8.1. Combien coûte la participation au concours ?

La participation au concours est entièrement GRATUITE !

8.1. Is there any fee that we should pay to register ?

The contest is entirely FREE!

8.2. Quelle langue devons-nous utiliser pour présenter notre projet ?

Vous pouvez présenter votre projet en anglais ou en français, ou les deux !

8.2. In what language do we have to explain our project?

You can submit your project in English or French, or both!

8.3. J'ai besoin d'un justificatif d'inscription au Prix W pour mon école. Est-ce possible ?

Oui, nous pouvons vous envoyer un justificatif d'inscription au concours. Merci de nous envoyer une demande avec toutes les informations nécessaires à sa rédaction.

8.3. I need a registration proof for my school. Is it possible?

Yes, we can send you a proof that you registered to our contest. Please send us a demand providing all the relevant data required for its drafting.

La F.A.Q. est ouverte, vous pouvez poser vos questions ici.

The F.A.Q. is open, you can adress your questions here.

Haut de page

 
 

To download the files, please sign up here under:
Pour télécharger les éléments liés au concours, inscrivez-vous ci-dessous :

 

Please note that you will NOT receive any confirmation email.
Veuillez noter que vous ne recevrez PAS de mail de confirmation.