Rethink Heritage

Since its creation almost six decades ago, on 29th November 1963 in Paris, Europa Nostra has been committed to the commemoration, safeguarding, and defence of cultural heritage. Working in over 40 nations, Europa Nostra is deemed to be Europe's most extensive and all-encompassing heritage network. Furthermore, it is closely linked to different international organisations, including the European Union, the Council of Europe, and UNESCO.

According to its statutes, the Europa Nostra pan-European network operates in over 50 countries. Over 250 member organisations (heritage associations and foundation, with around 5 million members), 150 associated organisations (government bodies, local authorities and businesses) and 1500 individual members provide direct support to the work carried out by Europa Nostra. One of the main objectives of Europa Nostra is to showcase heritage and its values to increase public awareness, focusing on the safeguarding and conservation of heritage, which it aims to transform into a guiding thread for numerous Spanish and European collectives. Another specific focus is the promotion of high standards of quality in the field of heritage conservation, architecture, urban and rural planning, as well as the promotion of the balanced and sustainable development of the urban and rural environment, both built and natural. Europa Nostra also attaches great importance to the role of cultural heritage as the foundation of European identity, highlighting its contribution to strengthening a feeling of European citizenship. Against this backdrop the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards celebrate excellence in the conservation of cultural heritage, including the restoration and adaptation to new uses of buildings, the rehabilitation of rural and urban landscapes, the examination of archaeological sites and curation for art collections. Equally noteworthy are the research, the devoted service of individuals and organisations to cultural heritage, and educational projects related to cultural heritage. This system of prizes aims to promote high standards and high-quality skills in conservation, boosting cross-border exchanges in the field of heritage. Through the “Power of Example” since 2002 the prizes have also sought to contribute to European heritage by providing further incentives in the form of efforts and projects. 

These same values are also encouraged by the Domus Awards, as stated in the competition rules. In 2010 the International Architectural Restoration Prize, also known as Fassa Bortolo Domus Restoration and Preservation, was set up. The brainchild of Fassa S.p.A., owner of the Fassa Bortolo brand, and the Architecture Department of Ferrara University, which was marking its twentieth anniversary, rewards and increases awareness among the general public about the architectural restoration works which best reflect the correct interpretation of conservation principles, as espoused by the scientific community, also resorting to contemporary forms of expression. The annual prize is divided into two sections which alternate every other year:

• Built Projects section: Gold and Silver medals are awarded to designers from the private and public sectors, and the restoration companies that completed the works;
• Undergraduate, Graduate, Master’s, PhD, and Graduate School Theses section: Gold and Silver medals are given to the authors of projects considered award-worthy by the jury to be for a number of reasons.

In 2020, the Special Award "Domus Restoration and Conservation-Digital BIM Technologies" was incorporated to these awards. This section focuses on theses which utilize digital innovations, especially BIM, in the course of the analysis and project processes, paying particular attention to the information potential of these tools. This award is held at the same time as the “Domus Restoration and Preservation” Award - Projects developed as theses.