Graphisoft is committed to heritage rehabilitation and supports two new Reuse Italy competitions

These two competitions or calls for projects invite students and young architects to submit ambitious rehabilitation projects for remarkable historical buildings. Within "Reuse the Roman Cisterns" and "Reuse the Kiln," Graphisoft will award the Archicad Prize, which recognizes the best proposals incorporating a rigorous BIM approach developed with Archicad.

REUSE THE ROMAN CISTERNS - FERMO, MARCHES

In Fermo, in the Marche region of Italy, the "Roman Cisterns" constitute one of the best-preserved hydraulic complexes from Antiquity. Built in the 1st century BC, this underground complex of 30 vaulted chambers covers more than 1,400 m² and testifies to the genius of Roman engineers.

The "Reuse the Roman Cisterns" competition invites candidates to reinvent this underground space as a contemporary living area: an immersive museum, a sensory experience, an exhibition space, or a creative hub. The project must engage with the ancient architecture while offering uses adapted to the current needs of residents and visitors. The competition is open to all teams composed of students and recent graduates.

Application deadline: May 25, 2026

REUSE THE KILN - SCICLI, SICILY

Nestled in the timeless landscapes of the Val di Noto (Sicily), Scicli is home to a collection of historic lime kilns – the Fornaci – testaments to a now-vanished artisanal industry. Located within a UNESCO World Heritage site, these limestone buildings offer exceptional architectural potential for contemporary redevelopment.

The "Reuse the Kiln" competition challenges participants to imagine a new purpose for these lime kilns—a cultural space, a creative center, or a place of industrial memory—based on a careful analysis of the site, its materials, and its history. The competition is open to students of architecture, engineering, and design, either individually or in teams of up to four people.

Application deadline: August 30, 2026

THE ARCHICAD PRIZE: rewarding excellence in BIM applied to heritage

For each of the two competitions, Graphisoft awards the Archicad Prize to the team that has demonstrated the most advanced mastery of the BIM methodology in the development of its project. This prize includes:

• A one-year subscription to Archicad (in its latest and most complete version including AI Assistant and AI Visualizer).
• BIM Coordinator training.
• Access to Graphisoft's BIM Coordinator program, a recognized skills development path in the AEC sector.
• Increased visibility for the winners via Graphisoft's communication channels in France and internationally.

In addition to the prize, all participants receive a 3-month Archicad education license, allowing them to model their projects using the professional tools employed by architectural firms worldwide. This free access is part of Graphisoft's commitment to supporting future generations of architects and designers.

GRAPHISOFT, an active partner of the juries

In both competitions, Graphisoft sits on the jury as an Archicad expert. This presence ensures that projects demonstrating mastery of the process (from surveying to delivery) are recognized and that the evaluation criteria fully incorporate the quality of the BIM approach: consistency of the digital model, data interoperability, and the ability to simulate the energy and structural challenges of the renovation. Graphisoft thus contributes to raising the level of professional standards in student competitions, preparing participants for the realities of the market.

According to Béatrice Panizza, Senior Manager, Education at Graphisoft: “The rehabilitation of built heritage is one of the major challenges in our sector. With ReUse Italy, the builders of tomorrow can tackle real-world problems on exceptionally rich sites that fuel the imagination of every designer. Reinventing the heritage of Antiquity is a unique opportunity in an architect's career. We are proud to support this initiative with Archicad and to reward those who make BIM a true driver of creativity.”