OBEL Award Becomes OBEL: A New Name for a Broader Mission

Venice, May 9, 2025 — Today, as part of ‘Beyond the Prize’ at the Biennale Architettura, we announce a new chapter in our journey: the OBEL Award becomes OBEL. This name change marks a natural evolution of what has, from the beginning, always been more than a prize. As our scope has grown to include fellowships, travel grants and other initiatives, so too has our purpose: OBEL, a foundation funded by the endowment left by Henrik Frode Obel (1942–2014), supports architecture not just as a discipline—we recognise and reward architecture’s potential to act as tangible agents of change. 

This name change is more than symbolic—it reflects our commitment to a global community of changemakers redefining the built environment. At the same time, it embodies our belief in collective intelligence, shared responsibility, and the power of doing things differently. Rooted in Scandinavian values of democracy, humility, and care, OBEL acts with purpose, not profit. As an independent foundation, we have the freedom to support bold, unconventional thinkers who bring urgent, planetary perspectives to architecture, whether they are material scientists, architects pushing the boundaries of conventional practice, or activists. We value potential over prestige and are committed to architecture that is scalable, adaptable, and capable of making a true impact.

“At OBEL, we are not the experts. Instead, we believe in empowering those who are pushing the boundaries of architecture to address the world’s most pressing challenges. This evolution of our brand represents a shift towards a broader, more collaborative approach to impact. We’re not just awarding excellence; we’re supporting potential, and we’re excited to do so in a way that creates lasting, meaningful change” — Jesper Eis Eriksen, Executive Director of OBEL.

Since our founding in 2019, we have sought to stretch the definition of architecture and reimagine what an architecture award can recognise by highlighting ideas, projects, and people that address the world’s most pressing challenges. Everything we award must matter and have real-world significance. We’re excited to unveil this year’s winner in mid-June, as it perfectly reflects the values we uphold.