Once again, at ThinkUPC we had the pleasure of participating as jury members for the 27th UPC Sustainable Architecture, Engineering, Sciences and Technology Award, a benchmark award recognizing the best high school research papers and higher vocational training projects (CFGS). This award highlights the ideas of young students that incorporate environmental, social, and ethical sustainability criteria into their designs and research related to the fields of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC).
The award ceremony for this 27th edition took place on September 17 at the UPC Rectorate, chaired by the rector of the University, Francesc Torres, and the vice-rector for Teaching and Student Affairs, María José Jiménez. The event was attended by the award-winning students, tutoring faculty, as well as representatives from sponsoring and collaborating entities.
Projects committed to a more sustainable future
In this 27th edition, which received 219 entries from all across Catalonia, the jury awarded initiatives with high technical quality and social impact:
- High School Category (Winner): Enzo Llombart Dalavia (Institut Els Alfacs, La Ràpita), for the project ‘Sistema antisísmic San Kizuna 三絆’, an innovative engineering proposal combining different damping technologies to protect buildings in seismic risk zones.
- High School Category (Runner-up): Sofía Boneu Mordoh (Padre Damián. Sagrados Corazones, Barcelona), for the paper ‘Geoenginyeria tèxtil: la moda pot salvar el planeta?’, exploring CO₂ capture and new materials to reduce the environmental impact of the textile sector through the conceptual collection CO₂uture.
- Higher Vocational Training Category (Winner): Laura Figueras Bueno (Escola Massana. Centre d’Art i Disseny, Barcelona), for the project ‘L’Atlàntida’, which proposes the sustainable redevelopment of a disused coastal area in Sitges into a community and nature center focused on human well-being.
- Higher Vocational Training Category (Special Mention): The team formed by Jhon Wilber Saavedra, Sabrina He, and Martí Rebolo (Institut Provençana, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat), for the project ‘Refugio autosuficiente La Morella’, a self-sufficient architectural design integrated into Garraf Park based on circular economy and structural timber.
The jury’s perspective and supporting future talent
Javier Otero, Director of Artificial Intelligence at ThinkUPC and jury representative for our organization, highlights:
“Events like this demonstrate the transformative potential of new generations. Edition after edition, it is incredibly inspiring to see how students tackle complex challenges such as climate change, safety, or urban planning through creativity, scientific rigor, and a strong social and environmental commitment. This young talent is the key to building a more sustainable future for everyone.”
The award is supported by RESA. Residencias Universitarias as a sponsoring entity, alongside various collaborating institutions: the University Research Institute for Sustainability Science and Technology, ThinkUPC, the Exploratori dels Recursos de la Natura, the Barcelona School of Architecture (ETSAB), the Vallès School of Architecture (ETSAV), and the UPC UNESCO Chair on Sustainability.
From ThinkUPC, we warmly congratulate all winners and finalists, as well as their teaching teams, and encourage them to continue developing their talent and passion in STEAM fields.
To check all details regarding the awarded projects and event information, you can read the full news article at the UPC Press Room.
