Diversity in Architecure

News

September, 2026

“Young DIVIA” – First Edition of the Award for Young Women Architects

DIVIA is launching a new programme in France to promote and give visibility to young women architects and landscape architects.

The first “Young DIVIA” award will be presented on 14 October 2026 in Strasbourg, as part of the DIVIA – Diversity in Architecture Award 2025 exhibition and the Alsace – Baden-Württemberg – Basel Architecture Days 2026, organised by the Maison européenne de l’architecture – Rhin supérieur.
Following the announcement of the award winner by Hélène Fernandez (French Ministry of Culture), Dr. Ursula Schwitalla, and Prof. Much Untertrifaller, who serves as patron of the French edition of the Young DIVIA Prize, a round-table discussion will take place on the theme “Young DIVIA 2026 – Young women architects and landscape architects: what responsibility for tomorrow?” Participants include Hélène Fernandez, Laure Finck, Mathieu Lucas, and this year’s Young DIVIA award winner; the discussion will be moderated by Prof. Susanne Stacher.

Location: Istituto Italiano di Cultura, 7 rue Schweighaeuser, 67000 Strasbourg.
For further information on the programme and speakers, as well as registration, please contact Astrid Maria Rappel, Dott.ssa Architektin, DIVIA France; astrid@astridrappel.com.

May, 2026

2nd DIVIA conference “Beyond the Shadow” in Barcelona!

We are excited to host our second DIVIA conference, Beyond the Shadow, at the Gustavo Gili Building in Barcelona, the 2026 World Capital of Architecture, on May 28, 2026!

Please join us at 3 PM on May 28. The event is free and open to the public.

The conference highlights Lilly Reich’s creative contribution to Mies van der Rohe’s work, including the Barcelona Pavilion, and addresses the long-overlooked recognition of her authorship in architectural history. At the same time, our DIVIA Award 2025 exhibition featuring the finalists and the winner of the prize are currently on view at the Gustavo Gili Building until 31, 2026.

We look forward to inspiring keynotes and an interesting discussion.
A sincere thank you to the participants in the congress: Martha Thorne, Laura Martinez de Guereñu Elorza, Elke Reichel, Aarti Dhingra, Ivan Blasi i Mezquita, olga felip ordis, and Dr. Ursula Schwitalla.

April, 2026

DIVIA Award 2025 comes to Vietnam!

We’re excited to bring the DIVIA Award 2025 Exhibition to Vietnam, the country of our DIVIA Award 2025 winner Tran Thi Ngu Ngon — together with the Goethe-Institut Ho Chi Minh City and architectural studio Tropical Space!

As part of a vibrant Diversity in Architecture Week filled with events, talks, and panel discussions, we’ll be celebrating our DIVIA Award 2025 finalists.

The program serves as a platform connecting architects, researchers, educators, students, and the wider public through a diverse series of architectural events.

February, 2026

We are incredibly proud to present this year’s exhibition in this iconic setting, held in conjunction with the Forum International Bois Construction.

Together with DIVIA Founder Dr. Ursula Schwitalla, our Research & Development Lead Marina-Elena Wachs, and student graduates Tuba Benli and Michèle Lemper, we opened the doors to a space that celebrates diversity, innovation, and excellence in architecture.

This afternoon (26.02.) at 14:30 (Booth E 88), we gather again for the official exhibition opening, honored by the presence Nicole Valkyser Bergmann, Director of the Bois Forum, Cultural Minister Hélène Lucie FERNANDEZ, and our jury members Martha Thorne & Odile DECQ.

January, 2026

We’re excited to invite you to the opening of the DIVIA Award 2025 intermedial exhibition in Stuttgart!

📅 Thursday, 22 January 2026
🕠 (Free) Admission from 5:30 pm | Opening at 6:00 pm
📍 Foyer of Gustav Epple Bauunternehmung GmbH, Tränkestr. 4, Stuttgart

Supported by Gustav Epple, the exhibition presents the seven finalists of the DIVIA Award 2025 for International Women Architects, selected by an international jury from from 25 nominees across four continents.

The finalists’ projects—from Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, and Vietnam—highlight socially engaged, sustainable, and future-oriented architecture that places people at the center.

🖼 Exhibition: 26 Jan – 5 Feb 2026 | Mon–Thu, 1:00–4:00 pm
🎟 Free admission

The exhibition opening will begin with welcome remarks by Dr. Ursula Schwitalla, founder of DIVIA, and Heico Zirkel, managing partner of Gustav Epple Bauunternehmung GmbH.

August, 2024

ONE YEAR OF HER STORY!

It’s been twelve wonderful months since we started publishing profiles of women working in architecture all over the world. It’s been such an honor to speak and learn from such extraordinary professionals, about their vision and goals. Each story has been a testament to the creativity, resilience, and innovation that these women bring to the field.

As we continue to share more inspiring journeys, we hope to contribute to a more inclusive and diverse future for architecture, where every voice is heard and valued. Thank you to all the amazing women who have shared their stories with us and to everyone who has supported this initiative and DIVIA in general. Here’s to another year of celebrating the remarkable contributions of women in architecture!

July, 2024

Our DIVIA Award 2023 travelling exhibition will be seen at Delphi Space in Freiburg from July 6th to July 14th 2024, with Director Julia Roever giving a presentation on the opening day.

On July 12th Director Ursula Schwitalla will hold a lecture about her publication Women in Architecture (2021).

June, 2024

Das Wiesbadener Architekturzentrum e.V. feiert 25 Jahre!

Das WAZ zeigt auch dieses Jahr eine spannende Auswahl an Filmen, die Architektur und Gesellschaft auf besondere Weise beleuchten. Wir sind stolz darauf, als Kooperationspartner diese beeindruckende Reise zu unterstützen.

Unser Highlight des Programms:

📽️ THE MIES VAN DER ROHES 🗓️ Sonntag, 30.06.2024 🕖 19:00 Uhr | Murnau Filmtheater

Die Frauen um den Architekten Ludwig Mies van der Rohe – seine Frau Ada, seine drei Töchter Georgia, Marianne und Waltraut und seine Partnerin Lilly Reich nutzen die Möglichkeit der neuen Zeit, sind aber trotzdem den Einschränkungen alter Muster ausgesetzt. Als Mies 1938 in die USA emigriert, müssen sie sich allein durch die Grausamkeit der Nazizeit und des Krieges kämpfen. Ihr Leben bleibt vom abwesenden Mann, Vater und Geliebten geprägt. Davon erzählt die älteste Tochter, Georgia van der Rohe, Tänzerin und Schauspielerin. Der Film bringt sie in fiktiven Interviews, die auf authentischen Aussagen basieren, zum Leben.

THE MIES VAN DER ROHES ist eine bewegende Familiengeschichte und präsentiert mit privaten, unveröffentlichten und längst vergessenen Filmen, Bildern und Dokumenten ein Sittengemälde der Moderne – aus weiblicher Perspektive.

Nach dem Hauptfilm gibt es als thematische Ergänzung noch folgenden Film:

BETON, STAHL UND GLAS
Regie: Georgia van der Rohe, Co-Regie: Sam Ventura, DE 1968/69

Georgia van der Rohe führte anlässlich der Eröffnung der Neuen Nationalgalerie Neue Nationalgalerie ein Interview über das architektonische Schaffen ihres Vaters. Dies beschrieb sie später in ihrem Buch „La Donna è mobile – mein bedingungsloses Leben“.

Das ganze Programm findet ihr auf der Website von WAZ: https://waz-wiesbaden.de

May, 2024

DIVIA Award 2023 finalist Tosin Oshinowo has been selected for the Loeb Fellowship class of 2025 at the Harvard Graduate School of Design (Harvard GSD) along with nine other visionary practitioners and activists who have made immense positive contributions to society within their various fields.

Tosin will join the class in August 2024 and will spend the academic year engaging with the GSD and Loeb communities through independent study, research, collaboration, public programs, workshops, coursework, Alumni events, and more.

We wish her all the best on this exciting journey!

April, 2024

Africans Column, a platform dedicated to projecting, celebrating, and supporting the good works of Africans in Art, Architecture, and Design has unveiled their list of 50 Influential African Women Architects, which includes DIVIA Award 2023 finalists Tosin Oshinowo, Noella Nibakuze and May Al-Ibrashy, as well as nominees Patti Anahory, Nzinga B. Mboup and Ilze Wolff. Congratulations!