On Wednesday evening, November 19, a formal ceremony was held at the Panos Solomonides Cultural Center, where the winners of the architectural competition for the design of Limassol’s new student dormitories were announced. According to the municipality, 54 submissions were received — one of the highest participation rates for a competition of this scale.
Winners and Jury Decision
First place and the top prize were awarded to NOA Architects L.L.C, whose proposal the jury described as the most innovative and functional.
Konstantinos Konstantini, President of the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (ETEK), delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing that the competition serves as an example of how large municipal projects should be carried out. He expressed hope that this approach will be adopted in other cities as well.
Limassol Mayor Yiannis Armeftis highlighted the strategic importance of the future dormitories, noting that the project is part of a broader program to strengthen social integration. He stated that the municipality aims to create an urban environment that is modern, comfortable, and provides affordable, high-quality housing for students studying in Limassol.
Project Concept and Key Design Features
Jury member Iraklis Papachristou, architect and municipal consultant, explained that the winning project stood out due to its creative idea of incorporating multi-level spaces inside the rooms, allowing more efficient use of available area. He added that the overall architectural design encourages natural social interaction, emphasizing the importance of communal spaces and their connection to the urban environment.
During the ceremony, honorary mentions and monetary prizes were awarded:
1st Prize — NOA Architects L.L.C.: €35,000
2nd Prize — NEIHEISER ARGYROS: €25,000
3rd Prize (shared) — AREA Architecture Research Athens OE & 406 Architects & LOT office for architecture: €7,500 each
Commendation — Aigli Patsalidu & Panayiotis Liasi: €5,000
Commendation — Christos Pavli & Christiana Karagiorgi: €5,000
Honorary Mention — Constanti Architects (ENA pros EKATO) L.L.C.: €2,500
Honorary Mention — Louie Loizou, Marios Kyriacou & Yiotis Tsangaris: €2,500
Architects Spyros Spirou, Haris Christodoulou, and Ioanna Evagorou presented their proposals, allowing attendees to gain insight into the conceptual thinking and creative philosophy behind their designs.
According to the mayor, construction on the winning project will begin soon, as it is essential for enhancing the city’s infrastructure and increasing the supply of affordable student housing.
Importance for Limassol and Next Steps
Armeftis expressed gratitude to the jury members for their professionalism and dedication. He also emphasized the role of ETEK as an invaluable partner in delivering projects that serve the public interest. The municipal council supported the idea of holding an architectural competition, recognizing the need for an open and transparent process to select the best design for the dormitory development.
All submissions are available for public viewing at the Panos Solomonides Cultural Center until November 28, allowing residents to explore the architectural proposals and appreciate the variety of ideas.
The student dormitory project is already being called one of the most significant urban initiatives of recent years. With the growing number of students in Limassol and the rapid development of university infrastructure, the new residence will help make the city more open, accessible, and attractive to learners from across the region.