This year marked the 7th edition of the DECODE Awards, highlighting the creative process and aiming to support contemporary architecture and the visual arts. A total of 74 submissions were received — 28 in the Architecture category and 46 in the Visual and Applied Arts category. The total prize value of DECODE in 2025 amounted to 3,100,000 HUF. The award ceremony took place on 19 November at the exclusive exhibition space of Corvin Palace, the Apollo Gallery. This year’s event was opened with the DECODE Inspiration programme, featuring two engaging lectures for audiences interested in architectural and artistic creation.
As in previous years, the DECODE Awards called for submissions from young creators in the categories of architecture and visual arts. Applicants were asked to answer the question: “How is a work created?” Their task was to present their creative process, conceptual thinking, and sources of inspiration through one of their own projects, showcased in a short film of no more than three minutes.
One of DECODE’s strongest assets is its outstanding professional jury, which expanded to 11 members this year. The returning jury was joined by Nóra Demeter, Ybl Award-winning architect and interior designer, founder and lead designer of Demeter Design Studio; Fanni Solymár, art theory specialist and curator; and Edit Sasvári, art historian.
The jury evaluated the submitted projects based on the uniqueness of their narratives and the visual quality of their presentation. After creating a shortlist, they selected the Winners in both the Architecture and the Visual & Applied Arts categories, along with two Promising Project Awards per category, as well as a Spotlight Award.
The DECODE 2025 Award Ceremony was opened by the DECODE Inspiration programme. Two speakers were invited to share insights into their creative methods in line with DECODE’s mission, presenting several of their inspiring works. From the field of architecture, Valentina Torrente represented Mario Cucinella Architects, while in the arts, artist Ilona Németh’s presentation contributed to a vibrant and creative atmosphere ahead of the ceremony.
The ceremony was hosted by architectural storyteller Dávid Zubreczki. In addition to the unique, hand-polished, crystal-clear glass DECODE award object designed by Fruzsina Zalavári, the Winner received a net award of 1,000,000 HUF, while the Promising Project Award carried a prize of 150,000 HUF. Continuing tradition, the event featured the cross-category Spotlight Award, recognising creative projects that serve and advance society. Supported this year by Reneszánsz Zrt., the award consisted of a 500,000 HUF travel grant for a freely chosen destination, enabling recipients to pursue professional development opportunities.
The awarded and shortlisted projects were showcased on large LED walls installed in the Apollo Gallery. The Main Sponsor of the event was EBH Invest, alongside the founding BORD Architectural Studio. Following the ceremony, all projects — including last year’s winners — became available on the DECODE YouTube channel.
Awarded Projects of DECODE 2025
Winner of DECODE 2025 Award in the Category of Architecture
Gyékényes Bath House
by Lili Fehér, Réka Fogarassy, Janka Gulyás, Orsolya Kardos, Dóra Puskár, Rebeka Winkler
Winner of DECODE 2025 Award in the Category of Visual and Applied Arts
My work ≠ Myself
by Lala Tóth
DECODE 2025 Promising Project Awards – Architecture Category
KRAFT by Anikó Kathl Illyés, Zoltán Bence Markos
Experiments in Space Interpretation by Liza Varga
DECODE 2025 Promising Project Awards – Visual and Applied Arts Category
Crisis Chaser by Adrián Klájó
Underground Theatre by Panni Dávida
DECODE 2025 Spotlight Award
EP Snacks
by Bori Suvák, Noémi Sal
Further Shortlisted Projects – Architecture Category
NT Brick by Emili Pálinkás Szűcs, Tilla Pálinkás Szűcs
House Occupation on Szurko by Borbála Véghelyi, Lili Gárdos
Echo by Fruzsina Vékony
Further Shortlisted Projects – Visual and Applied Arts Category
The Bright Block Archive by Júlia Horváth
There Is Always One More Step by Viola Sára Csabai, Mandula Réka Makra
Project by Veronika Csonka
The Feminine Urge to Pee Comfortably by Villő Juhász
