DIVERSITY IN ARCHITECTURE AWARD

JURY > About

Sol Camacho São Paulo, Odile Decq Paris, Martha Thorne Madrid, Rahul Mehrotra  Mumbai/Cambridge, Boston, Itohan Osayimwese Providence, since 2024

Nomination Experts > About

AFRICA  Mariam Kamara Niamey/ Zurich, Otobong Nkanga Kano/Antwerp
ASIA  Brinda Somaya Mumbai, Eduard Koegel Berlin, Maryam Pousti Tehran
AUSTRALIA  Anne-Laure Cavigneaux Melbourne, Rodney Eggleston Melbourne
EUROPE  Renato Turri & World-Architects Zurich, Francesca Perani Bergamo, Julia Albani Lisbon, Dijane Slavic Schalksmuehle
NORTH AMERICA  Julia Gamolina New York, Kathrin Moore San Francisco,
Zaida Muxí Martínez Monterrey
SOUTH AMERICA  Elizabeth Milagros Añaños Vega Lima, Martin Jasper Buenos Aires
GLOBAL  Werner Sobek Stuttgart

Board of Directors > About

Ursula Schwitalla Tuebingen, Julia Roever Stuttgart

Divia Team > About

Veronika Lukashevich Berlin, Anja Menge & Katerine Witte Berlin, Anja Matzker Berlin, Vivian Schatz Stuttgart, Katharina Stolz Stuttgart, Marina-Elena Wachs Braunschweig

STRATEGIC PARTNER > About

WORLD-ARCHITECTS

COOPERATION PARTNERS

GOETHE-INSTITUT | BDA | HATJE CANTZ | WIA BERLIN | AZW | WIEN | ZHA LONDON | MADAME ARCHITECT | REBEL ARCHITETTE | AFI AFRICAN FUTURES INSTITUTE | FONDAZIONE BERENGO | IBA 2027 | ECC VENEDIG |

AMBASSADORS > About

Marc Kimmich Berlin, Stella Lee Berlin, Nicola von Velsen Berlin, Melodie Leung London, Angelika Fitz Vienna, Dirk Boll London, Annabelle Selldorf New York, Christiane Stahnke Munich, Kristin Feireiss Berlin †, Francine Houben Delft, Francesca Ferguson Berlin

Donors & Sponsors

COPRO | WORLD-ARCHITECTS | ZHA | HENN | HPP | WERNER SOBEK | BUNDESMINISTERIUM FÜR WOHNEN, STADTENTWICKLUNG UND BAUWESEN | STO-STIFTUNG | KREISSPARKASSE TÜBINGEN | CS | GMG COLOR | GUSTAV EPPLE | SKY-FRAME | BERLIN HYP | GIRA  

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JURY

202Ӡ + 2025
selects the finalists: 01.202Ӡ & 01.2025
selects the winner: 03.2023 & 03.2025 Award Ceremony: 05.2023 & 05.2025

The distinguished jury, appointed for the 2023 and 2025 Award Ceremonies, brings together renowned personalities with exceptional expertise in international architecture. Their diverse backgrounds ensure a comprehensive evaluation process. The selection process begins with DIVIA’s Nomination Experts submitting their candidates to DIVIA. From these submissions, DIVIA compiles long-list of nominees, which is presented to the jury for their consideration. The jury selects five to six outstanding finalists from this list. The projects of these finalists are showcased in two significant formats: a catalogue, produced in collaboration with the prestigious publishing house Hatje Cantz, and an exhibition featuring the innovative work of all finalists. The jury then convenes to determine the winner of the DIVIA Award, who is announced during the DIVIA Award Ceremony, held in Berlin in 2023 and in Venice in 2025.

Martha Thorne madrid

is an accomplished architectural academic, curator, editor, and author. She currently serves as the Senior Advisor for the OBEL Award, sponsored by the Henrik F. Obel Foundation. Previously, she held prominent roles as the Executive Director of the Pritzker Architecture Prize and as the Dean of IE School of Architecture & Design in Madrid.

Odile Decq Paris

is an architect, urban planner, and academic. She is the Founder and Director of Studio Odile Decq and the visionary behind the alternative architecture school Confluence Institute for Innovation and Creative Strategies in Architecture in Paris.

Rahul Mehrotra Mumbai/ Cambridge, Boston

is a distinguished architect, urbanist, and educator. He is the Founding Principal of RMA Architects and divides his time between working in Mumbai and Boston. He teaches at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University, where he serves as Professor of Urban Design and Planning, as well as the John T. Dunlop Professor in Housing and Urbanization.

Sol Camacho São Paulo

is an architect and urban designer who founded and directs RADDAR, an architecture firm based in São Paulo and Mexico City. Additionally, she serves as the Cultural Director of the Instituto Bardi/Casa de Vidro Institution, where she oversees the management of the Bardi archive and the cultural program at Casa de Vidro.

Itohan Osayimwese Providence, DIVIA Jury since 2024

is an architectural and urban historian, currently serving as Professor of History of Art and Architecture at Brown University. Her research delves into theories of modernity and postcoloniality, with a particular focus on German colonial architecture. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the prestigious 2020 Schelling Award for Architectural Theory.

NOMINATION EXPERTS

Experts from 6 Continents, list of nominees sent to jury: 12.2022 & 12.2024

Drawing from all six continents, our Nomination Experts select up to 30 practicing women architects who have distinguished themselves through innovative urban design solutions and significant societal impact. The DIVIA Award, along with its accompanying exhibition and publication, serves as a platform to celebrate these architects’ achievements and amplify their voices in the international architectural community.

Mariam Kamara Niamey/Zurich

is a Nigerien architect and professor. She founded her architecture and research firm Mariam Issoufou Architects (formerly atelier masōmī) in 2014 in Niger. Her designs use locally produced materials that are available to African communities: cement, recycled metal and clay.
Nomination Experts for AFRICA

Otobong Nkanga Kano/Antwerp

is a Nigerian-born visual and performance artist. She studied art at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, and at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux- Arts in Paris, France and completed a Master’s degree in Performance Art at the DasArts school, Amsterdam.
Nomination Experts for AFRICA

Brinda Somaya Mumbai

is an architect and urban conservationist. She studied architecture in Mumbai and in Northampton, Massachusetts. She is Founding Principal of Somaya & Kalappa Consultants. In 2014, she was awarded the Baburao Mhatre Gold Medal for Lifetime Achievement by the Indian Institute of Architects.
Nomination Experts for ASIA

Eduard Koegel Berlin

runs his own studio in Berlin, specializing in the development of architecture and urban planning in non-European countries. He is a regular lecturer at both the Berlin Institute of Technology and Bauhaus-University Weimar.
Nomination Experts for ASIA

Maryam Pousti Tehran

is an Iranian designer. Trained as an architect (AA Dipl/RIBA II), she established Studio Pousti in 2013 with a focus on architecture, interiors, installations & product design. Its work has been exhibited in Milan, Paris, New York, Tehran, Bilbao, and Athens.
Nomination Experts for ASIA

Anne-Laure Cavigneaux Melbourne

is a trained graphic designer. She is the Founder and Creative Director of March.Studio in Melbourne.
Nomination Experts for AUSTRALIA

Rodney Eggleston Melbourne

is the Founding Principal of March.Studio in Melbourne and the winner of the Australian Institute of Architects’ prestigious National Emerging Architect Prize.
Nomination Experts for AUSTRALIA

Renato Turri & World Architects Zurich

is the CEO and Partner at World Architects, an esteemed online platform dedicated to showcasing and promoting architecture and architects from around the world. World Architects serves as a valuable resource for discovering innovative designs, exploring diverse architectural styles, and connecting with professionals in the field.
Nomination Experts for EUROPE

Francesca Perani Bergamo

is an architect, instigator, and the founder of RebelArchitette, a no-profit cultural project promoting women’s work in architecture, the application of gendered language, and more equitable public panels. Rebelarchitette’s curatorial project was exhibited at LA BIENNALE DI VENEZIA 2021 Italian Pavillion.
Nomination Experts for EUROPE

Julia Albani Lisabon

is a curator, critic, and communications strategist specializing in facilitating connections between individuals and institutions within architecture, urbanism, and design. Currently, she leads press and public relations efforts for the Canadian Centre for Architecture.
Nomination Experts for EUROPE

Dijane Slavic Schalksmuehle

is Architecture Media Manager and the partner of choice for architects, planners and interested professionals from the fields of architecture, interior architecture, and design.
Nomination Experts for EUROPE

Julia Gamolina New York City

is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the online platform Madame Architect. She also works as an Associate Principal at Ennead Architects and teaches a graduate-level Professional Practice seminar at Pratt Institute.
Nomination Experts for NORTH AMERICA

Kathrin Moore San Francisco

founded her firm MooreUrban Design in 2000, which has been developing spatial strategies and master plans for areas and cities around the world. She has also been a member of the San Francisco Planning Commission since 2006 and is thus jointly responsible for the supervision and implementation of all planning projects in the city.
Nomination Experts for NORTH AMERICA

Zaida Muxí Martínez Monterrey

is an esteemed architect and academic from Argentina, currently serving as a Faculty of Excellence at EAAD Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico.
Nomination Experts for NORTH AMERICA

Elizabeth Milagros Añaños Vega Lima

is a woman architect and public manager from Peru, specializing in the design and implementation of public policies and local strategies in education, health, construction, housing, and urban planning.
Nomination Experts for SOUTH AMERICA

Martin Jasper Buenos Aires

is an architect, engineer, and the founder of Jasper Architects, a distinguished architecture firm with offices in Berlin, Buenos Aires, and Asunción. He serves as the representative for the German Sustainable Building Council in Latin America.
Nomination Experts for SOUTH AMERICA

Werner Sobek Stuttgart

founded his company Werner Sobek in 1992 and accompanies it as chairman of the supervisory board and as a creative mastermind. Its core areas of expertise are lightweight construction, high-rise construction, façade design, special constructions made from steel, glass, titanium, fabric and wood, as well as the design of sustainable buildings.
Nomination Experts GLOBAL

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors play a crucial role in providing leadership and strategic direction within our organization. They are responsible for ensuring that it stays aligned with its mission and objectives. Additionally, they oversee the overall governance and effectiveness of the board, ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of DIVIA. This role requires strong leadership, communication skills, and a deep understanding of the organization’s goals and values.

Dr. Ursula Schwitalla, BDA ao Tuebingen

Director and Founder

is an art historian and consultant based in Tuebingen, Germany. She holds positions as a lecturer at Humboldt University Berlin and the University of Tuebingen, where she curates the lecture series “Architecture Today.” In addition, she is the editor of the volume Women in Architecture, Hatje Cantz, 2021.

Dr. Julia Roever, M.A. Stuttgart

Director

works as a freelance historian in Stuttgart, specializing in the history of medicine and the history of women. She previously worked as an attorney-at-law in Stuttgart and lived in California for over 20 years with her family, where she obtained a degree in history from Stanford University.

DIVIA TEAM

Beschreibung

Veronika Lukashevich M.A. Berlin

Communications & Editing

she works as an editor and project manager with various publishing houses. As a journalist, she specializes in interviews and profiles individuals—mainly in art, literature, and architecture—for various publications. She has a master‘s degree in International Journalism from City, University of London.

Anja Menge & Katerine Witte Berlin

Exhibitions

are DIVIA’s exhibition curators based in Berlin. After working as an architect in Berlin, Vienna and New York, Anja Menge currently works in the field of urban development to create new livable neighborhoods. Kati Witte used to work as an architect in Rio de Janeiro and Berlin and is now working in project development for a social housing company. Photo: Philine Bach

Vivian Schatz Stuttgart

Business Office

is DIVIA’s business office manager. She studied art history and history at the Universities of Tuebingen and Stuttgart.

Anja Matzker Berlin

Graphic Designer

is the designer of the DIVIA Corporate Design. As a Berlin-based freelancer, she mainly works for cultural and architectural projects and organizations. Previously, she has worked at communication agencies and graphic studios in Duesseldorf, Paris, and Berlin. Photo: Kanella Nelly Tragousti

Dr. Katharina Stolz Stuttgart

Sientific Advisory

studied art history in Tuebingen and Rome and was associate lecturer at Indiana University in the USA and research assistant at the Institute for the History of Architecture at the University of Stuttgart, where she received her doctorate in 2022. She has taught several courses on women architects.

Prof. Dr. Marina-Elena Wachs Braunschweig

Outreach & Development

is Industrial-Designer, Master-Tailor, graduated at the Braunschweig University and held a Professorship in Theory of Design. She is working with architects in interdisciplinary projects and she is responsible for outreach and development at DIVIA.

STRATEGIC PARTNER

supports Diversity in Architecture e.V. in its objectives and activities such as publications, traveling exhibitions, events, and gatherings.

RENATO TURRI & WORLD ARCHITECTS

is a Zurich-based CEO and Partner at World Architects, an esteemed online platform dedicated to showcasing and promoting architecture and architects from around the world. World Architects serves as a valuable resource for discovering innovative designs, exploring diverse architectural styles, and connecting with professionals in the field.

AMBASSADORS

Our ambassadors are esteemed international supporters of Diversity in Architecture e.V. They passionately advocate for the principles and mission of our organization.

Marc Kimmich Berlin

is a seasoned real estate developer with over 20 years of experience working with national and international companies. As the founder and managing partner of COPRO since 1993, he specializes in the refurbishment of residential and commercial properties. He currently develops and invests in projects across Berlin and Stuttgart, Germany, acting as investor, co-investor, and fee developer.

Stella Lee Berlin

is an independent practitioner and the co-founder and former principal of Bureau V, an award-winning architecture and design practice based in New York City.

Nicola von Velsen Berlin

is the General Manager and Publisher of the renowned Berlin-based art book publishing house Hatje Cantz. Before joining Hatje Cantz in 2018, she served as Managing Editor at DuMont and TASCHEN.

Melodie Leung London

is Associate Director at Zaha Hadid Architects in London and serves as the Architecture Editor at Large for Ala Champ Magazine.

Angelika Fitz Vienna

is the first female Director of the Architekturzentrum Wien (Vienna Architecture Center). She is also actively involved in projects with international museums, ministries, and cultural institutes.

Dr. Dirk Boll London

is a Professor at the Institute for Cultural Management and Media Management at the University of Music and Theater Hamburg. He began his career at Christie‘s in Stuttgart and in London. Since 2022, he has been Deputy Chairman and responsible for the further development of the „20th & 21st Century Art“ department. He studied law and cultural management.

Annabelle Selldorf New York City

is the Founding Principal of Selldorf Architects in New York City. She is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and was awarded the 2016 Medal of Honor by the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter.

Christiane Stahnke Munich

is an industrial manager and architect. Since 2013, she has been running her own successful studio Proiectum Management & Planning GmbH, with offices in Hamburg and Munich. Prior to this, she worked for various major players, including Bothe Richter Teherani, HOCHTIEF Projektentwicklung, and Allianz Immobilien GmbH.

Kristin Feireiss Berlin †

is the Co-Founder of the Aedes Architecture Forum in Berlin, recognized as the first private architecture gallery in Europe. In 2009, she co-founded the ANCB Aedes Metropolitan Laboratory, which was honored with the 2010 German Innovation Prize.

Francine Houben Delft

graduated with honors from Delft University of Technology and is the founding partner and creative director of Mecanoo architecten.

Francesca Ferguson Berlin

studied history at Oxford and worked as a journalist in Berlin. Since the mid-1990s, she has worked as a curator in the field of architecture and urban development. 2006–2009 she was director of the Swiss Architecture Museum in Basel.

COOPERATION PARTNERS

BUND DEUTSCHER ARCHITEKTINNEN UND ARCHITEKTEN BDA, HATJE CANTZ, WIA BERLIN, ZHA LONDON, MADAME ARCHITECT, REBEL ARCHITETTE, AFI AFRICAN FUTURES INSTITUTE,   FONDAZIONE BERENGO,   IBA 2027, BERUEHRUNGSPUNKTE

DONORS & SPONSORS