Bruno Carré awards two Egyptian female architects for arcVision Prize

Suez Cement and the Society of Egyptian Architects cement a new partnership and launch the National Contest “Suez Cement – Women and Architecture”

Cairo, April 14 2013. In the presence of H.E. Maurizio Massari, Ambassador of Italy, Bruno Carré, Managing Director of Suez Cement Group of Companies, and Arch. Seif Allah A. Alnaga, Chairperson of the Society of Egyptian Architects, presented the International Prize arcVision- Women and Architecture instituted by Italcementi Group. 

arcVision Prize recognizes every year a female architect whose research and design work displays significant qualitative excellence and attention to the core issues of construction – technology, sustainability, social and cultural implications – with preference for women working in conditions of particular complexity in terms of type of project and local conditions.“With this award we want to highlight the growing importance that female designers have been assuming in architecture in recent years and pay tribute to the best architectural projects as well as to a “positive discrimination” in favor of women. There is an enormous wealth of talent in the Egyptian architecture, and Suez Cement is committed to supporting this sector which makes a significant contribution to the economy and job creation, as well as being a creator of beauty and force for cohesion for our society.” said Mr. Carré.

During the event Mr. Carré acknowledged the two Egyptian architects: Shahira Fahmy and Mona Zakaria who were among the 19 finalists in the first edition of arcVision Prize. 
Their projects were evaluated by a distinguished international Jury chaired by Martha Thorne (Executive Director of the Pritzker Prize).

The 2013 short-list of finalists included 19 designers from 15 countries: Brazil, Egypt, Estonia, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, USA.
Brazilian Architect Carla Juaçaba has been named as the winner of the first arcVision Prize – Women and Architecture with her project “Pavilion Humanidade”.

Speaking at the press conference, Shahira Fahmy, founder of Shahira Fahmy Architects, said “We cannot overlook the talents of women and their many contributions in the past, present, and the ones to come in the future. The arcVision Prize is a very positive program which recognizes and supports the capacity, creativity and many contributions of women architects. Men and business need the energy and sensitivity of women to grow and achieve ever greater results.”

From her side, Mona Zakaria, who integrates in her architectural works the developmental aspect with the architectural one, highlighted “This International social architecture award recognizes the important role that women play in architecture. Women architects have the potential to play a significant role in addressing society's challenges,they are not just makers of form or iconic buildings. Improving the quality of our cities, working on issues of sustainability, contributing to education or suggesting approaches to disaster relief are just some of the areas where architects are useful and valuable.”

As a further demonstration of Suez Cement’s commitment to promote the role that architectural design plays in contributing to the socio-economic development of Egypt, Mr. Carré and Arch. Seif Allah Elnaga signed a partnership agreement  to launch the first National Contest “arcVision Egypt-Women and Architecture”. The award is intended to acknowledge every year the best project realized by an Egyptian female architect.

“arcVision Prize is characterized by great interest and awareness on the importance of promoting innovation serving the needs of the local community. This award encourages contributions to the economic and social development of the Country through architecture and building technology (such as housing, public buildings, cultural, educational, social, sports, social, environmental, or others serving the needs of people in local communities or humanity in improving the quality of life in general). It is an award effective and for the citizens, especially  because it is dedicated to the women architects. We should take great pride in participating in this 2013 architectural and cultural initiative.” highlighted Mr. Elnaga in his speech.Through this pioneering initiative Suez Cement Group of Companies wants to support the Egyptian women architects who are particularly sensitive to the needs of the individual, to human relationships, to the design of environments molded to their occupants.

Suez Cement Award seeks projects that represent the broadest possible range of architectural interventions, with particular attention given to building schemes that use local resources in an innovative ways, and those that are likely to inspire similar efforts elsewhere.

Selections of the award recipients will be done by an independent master jury composed by arch. Seif Allah A. Alnaga, Chairman of UIA Egyptian Section, Society of Egyptian Architects, prof. arch. Zakia Shafey, Member of the UIA (International Union of Architects), prof. arch. Zeinab Youssef Shafiq from Cairo University, prof. arch. Manal El Batran, Coordinator Egypt Green Building Council and  Dr. Mona Zulficar, Vice Chair of UN Human Rights Council’s Advisory Committee, Board of Trustees Member, Women and Memory Forum.

Bruno Carré, Suez Cement Managing Director, awards two Egyptian female architects who competed for the first edition of the International Prize arcVision-Women and Architecture..

Bruno Carré, Suez Cement Managing Director, awards two Egyptian female architects who competed for the first edition of the International Prize arcVision-Women and Architecture_1.

Bruno Carré, Suez Cement Managing Director, awards two Egyptian female architects who competed for the first edition of the International Prize arcVision-Women and Architecture_2.