SAPA Awards

SAPA Awards is an exclusive competition that celebrates architectural excellence and sustainable innovation.

The winners are recognized both across the Nordic region and internationally, giving Nordic architects a platform to showcase their work on the world stage.

The competition honors building projects around the globe that demonstrate architectural quality, creative use of aluminum solutions, and a strong commitment to sustainability.

The two categories for this year's competition are the SAPA Sustainability Award and the SAPA Architecture Award!

The SAPA Awards are initiated by SAPA by Hydro and are based on extensive experience in sustainable building systems and aluminum architecture. The award recognizes completed construction projects where SAPA solutions are used as an integral part of the architecture. The focus is on projects that combine:

• A strong architectural concept

• Technical quality and functionality

• Sustainability and long-term responsibility

Who is recognized? The SAPA Awards are presented to architectural projects, with the architect in focus, in collaboration with other project stakeholders such as metal contractors and developers.

The award highlights the whole picture – where design, materials, functionality, and sustainability work together.

The jury for SAPA Awards 2026 consists of leading figures from Nordic architecture and the construction industry. Their combined expertise ensures a professional and thorough evaluation of this year’s entries. The jury is chaired by SNØHETTA, internationally recognized for its innovative and sustainable approach.

• Chair of the Jury: Marius Hauland Næss Director of Business Development and Acquisition – Nordics Architect SAR/MSA SNØHETTA

• Flemming Højbjerre Sørensen Managing Director, Structural Design Bollinger+Grohmann ApS

• Rachel Belatchew Architect MSA/SAR, DESA, Founder Belatchew Architects (Sweden)

• Samuli Woolston Arkkitehti Safa ALA ARKKITEHDIT

• Amanda Borneke Circular Specialist Sweco (Sweden)

• Maren Bjerkeng Architect and Head of Urban Development and Architecture Aspelin Reitan Eiendom

SAPA Sustainability Award For projects where sustainability is a core part of the architecture. This category recognizes solutions that reduce environmental impact through energy efficiency, material efficiency, and long-term responsibility – without compromising aesthetics or functionality.

SAPA Architectural Award For projects that stand out for architectural quality, creativity, and innovation. This category celebrates strong design ideas where SAPA by Hydro products are used as a central part of the architecture’s expression and function.

International visibility through WATA The SAPA Awards are part of a larger international context. All winners are automatically nominated for the World Architecture Awards (WATA) – a global architecture prize featuring projects from around the world. This means that the SAPA Awards serve as:

• A Nordic seal of quality

• A springboard to international recognition

• A way to showcase the Nordic perspective on sustainability and design globally

• Choice of category: SAPA Sustainability Award or SAPA Architectural Award

• Project information (name, completed in 2023 or later)

• Contact details for:

  • Architect

  • Metal contractor

  • Photographer

• Short project description (max 10 lines, anonymous)

• List of SAPA by Hydro products used

• At least 10 professional images (JPEG, 300 dpi)

• Approved image rights for use by Hydro

• Floor plan (ground floor)

• A section drawing

Check out the past winners for inspiration.