The president of the Regional Section of the Architects' Association, Susana Neves, expressed concern over the low number of entries for this year's architecture award in Madeira. Many architects chose not to submit their projects, claiming they were "altered" during execution.
According to Neves, these unapproved changes, often driven by contractors or developers, stem from serious flaws in oversight. She urged municipalities to increase scrutiny, criticizing a system where inspection is "all done beforehand, and then there is no oversight during construction."
This year, the jury decided not to award the main trophy, granting only an honorable mention, and used the occasion to advocate for respect for architects' work. The Association also highlighted new legal responsibilities for professionals, who may face severe penalties for false compliance declarations.
