Manni Group Launches the 6th Edition of its Prestigious International Architecture Competition – Romanian Architects Invited to Participate

Isopan Est, part of the joint venture between Marcegaglia Steel and Manni Group—a market leader in insulated metal panel production—announces the launch of the 6th edition of the Manni Group Design Award, a prestigious international competition dedicated to sustainable architecture.

This year's competition, organized by Manni Group, a company with over 80 years of experience in steel construction and a strong commitment to energy efficiency and the circular economy, invites Romanian architects to join the global conversation on the future of the built environment.

Theme 2025: Vertical Farm – A Vision for Resilient Urban Ecosystems

In response to increasing urbanization, climate change, and food security challenges, the 2025 edition invites participants to design innovative vertical farms: modular, energy-efficient structures seamlessly integrated into the urban fabric. The goal is to foster sustainable, productive, and resilient cityscapes.

“This is an exceptional opportunity for young Romanian architects to showcase their vision on an international stage,” stated Toni Pera, General Manager of Isopan Est. “Beyond generous financial rewards, this competition offers invaluable exposure to some of the world’s leading architecture professionals. We hope this edition will spotlight the creativity and talent Romania has to offer in shaping sustainable cities of the future.”

Isopan Est supports such visionary projects through its offsite construction systems, designed to enable fast assembly, minimize site waste, and ensure high-quality execution. Their thermal insulation panels, key to energy efficiency and temperature control, are ideal for the unique needs of vertical farming environments.

A High-Level Jury & Strategic Partnerships

Entries will be judged by an esteemed international panel including:

• Fokke Moerel – MVRDV
• Arne Emerson – Morphosis
• Ming-Jen Hsueh – Sasaki
• Paul Woolford – HOK

Key industry partners supporting the competition include:

• ROCKWOOL, sponsor of the “Fire Safety Gold Mention” for projects using mineral wool core solutions by Isopan
• BASF, global leader in chemical solutions
• Zero, Italian vertical farming specialist and strategic partner in the Future Farming Initiative, a project co-developed with Ca’ Foscari University and funded by the Next Generation EU program

The competition is held under the patronage of the Consulate General of Italy in Los Angeles.

Participation Details

• Open to: Individuals or multidisciplinary teams (at least one member under the age of 35)
• Submission Deadline: May 21, 2025
• Total Prize Pool: €15,000

For complete guidelines and to submit your project, please visit the official competition platform. For inquiries, participants may contact the organizers at yac@yac_ltd.com.