Jimenez Lai

Jimenez Lai, founder of Bureau Spectacular, is a Los Angeles-based architectural studio which opened in 2008. His practice stands out for its innovative approach and subversive design narratives, as evidenced by projects challenging conventional norms and redefining architectural boundaries. Known for seamlessly binding whimsical storytelling with architectural theory to rewire models, a deep understanding of materiality while pursuing aesthetics and demonstrating functionality, aligning perfectly with contemporary architectural dialogues. His commitment to sustainability and remarkable originality led to the brand new Début Award at the Lisbon Architecture Triennale in 2013 (Close-Closer), recognizing his and his studio’s sophistication and contributions to the field. 

Shortlisted

Assemble (UK)
Founded in 2010 to undertake a single self-built project, Assemble has since delivered a diverse and award-winning body of work, whilst retaining a democratic and co-operative working method that intersects architecture, art and design. 

Atelier Hirschbichler (Switzerland)
Atelier Hirschbichler, led by Michael Hirschbichler, operates at the intersection of art, architecture, and anthropology. Their multidisciplinary approach and diverse projects reflect a commitment to innovative explorations of space, culture, and environment.

FALA (Portugal)
This Portuguese studio has gained recognition for its distinctive and imaginative designs, characterised by playful elements and a sense of repetition. Their works often incorporate local materials and respond creatively to spatial constraints.

Frida Escobedo (Mexico)
Frida Escobedo, born in 1979, is a prominent Mexican architect known for her work in designing and restoring urban spaces, such as housing, community centres, art venues, and hotels.

Gruppe (Switzerland)
Architecture studio based in Berlin, Germany, known for its collaborative approach and innovative designs. By merging traditional architectural principles with modern concepts, cutting-edge solutions emerge from their practice, addressing contemporary challenges while preserving architectural heritage.

Léopold Lambert (USA)
Léopold Lambert is an architect, author, and academic known for his critical discourse on architecture and urbanism. He authored ‘Weaponized Architecture: The Impossibility of Innocence’, which explores the political implications of architectural design.

SAMI (Portugal)
Established in 2005 by Inês Vieira da Silva and Miguel Vieira, SAMI-arquitectos's ethos revolves around designing spaces that integrate seamlessly with their surroundings, emphasising sensitivity and technical precision in each project. 

SO-IL (USA)
Based in Brooklyn, New York City, SO – IL founded in 2008 by Florian Idenburg and Jing Liu, is internationally recognized for focusing on creating structures that establish new spaces for culture, learning, and innovation. 

Pedro y Juana (Mexico)
Pedro y Juana is an architectural studio in Mexico led by Ana Paula Ruiz Galindo and Mecky Reuss. They've gained recognition for projects such as "Hellmut," which embodies an exhibition space concept.

About

The Lisbon Triennale Millennium bcp Début Award was created in 2013 to celebrate and showcase new voices and approaches to the architecture practice. This recognition contributes to the young talents' creative, intellectual, and professional growth at a crucial and potentially transformative stage in their career. The contest is open to architects under 35 years of age or to any architectural firm with an average age of up to 35 years. 

The Début Award is granted after an independent selection in two separate stages. Firstly, through a call for self-proposals. In the meanwhile, dozens of international architects are invited to nominate those they consider worthy of the prize. The set of proposals is then made available to the jury, which selects the list of finalists and the winning studio.

For more information, please visit the Open call page.

Jury

Beatrice Galilee
Diogo Seixas Lopes
Eva Franch
Ou Ning
Tatiana Bilbao

Nominators

Abraham Thomas, Alexandra Cruz, Beatriz Colomina, Carla Leitão, Cláudia Taborda, Daniel Rosbottom, Didier Faustino, Fernanda Barbara, Fernando Romero, Finn Williams, Florian Beigel, Jodene Robinson, Julia Albani, Karen Wong, Keller Easterling, Luís Santiago Baptista, Matthias Böttger, Moira Lascelles, Remo Minerva-Crolla, Sam Jacob