4th edition of [Ré]inventer l'existant

© Victoria Roussel

Deadline for teacher registration: midnight, March 15, 2026
Deadline for transmission of projects selected by teachers: midnight, July 14, 2026

Co-organized by the DRIEAT and the DRAC d’Île-de-France since 2023, this competition, which is open to students at architecture schools in the Paris region, rewards the best projects for the architectural and energy-efficient transformation and renovation of existing buildings.

It aims to acculturate these future architects to the design of a transformation project by confronting them with real built sites. The projects are carried out as part of their studies, with the support of teachers who help them discover the subtleties and richness of working with existing architecture, while raising their awareness of buildings’ energy needs and ways of reducing them.

How to participate

The competition is open to students enrolled for the 2025-2026 academic year, in the 1st or 2nd cycle (bachelor’s and master’s degrees) of architecture schools based in the Paris region.
Students can compete alone or in teams, or even in multidisciplinary teams with the participation of students from other disciplines (art, construction, design, engineering, etc.), associated within the framework of institutional collaborations (double degree, exchange, cooperation, etc.).

Participation takes place through the intermediary of a referent teacher.

Consult the competition rules2/18/2026 - Pdf file - 16 pages - 3.00 Mo

Since the competition’s inception, projects submitted by ENSA Paris-la Villette students have been recognized by the jury. Each year, they are among the projects that have been noticed and among the winners:

2025
Special Mention Architect Mediator
Eve Bergeron, Emma Coppens and Lilia Hocine: Le Ventre de la Baleine in Pantin (93) – co-constructing the future of a threatened artistic breeding ground
Teaching: “L’opportunité de la banlieue” (M2, PFE), directed by Guillaume Baron and Merril Sineus

2024
Winners in the final-year project category
Sophie San Andres, Sophia San Miguel and Melissa Laborde: Cité de la Maladrerie in Aubervilliers (93) – reappropriation of the first floor, reinforcement of common spaces and adaptation to climate change
Teaching: “L’opportunité de la banlieue” (M2, PFE), directed by Guillaume Baron and Merril Sineus

2023
Winners in the Master 1-Master 2 category
Adam Flores, Maxence Gaudais and Gauthier Gundermann: École Pasteur in Bondy (93) – rehabilitation and extension of a school complex
Teaching: “Déjà-là: ressources, transformation, construction” (M1), directed by Emmanuel Mourier

News

  • Key Economic Indicators for the Architecture Industry

    The Architecture Economy Observatory, a collaborative body launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Culture that brings together stakeholders in the profession, has published the “Key Figures on the Architecture Economy” for the first time.

    The observatory’s work is part of the National Strategy for Architecture 2025–2029, one of whose measures aims to expand knowledge of the architectural economy in all its dimensions.

  • Apprenticeship Tax 2026

    You have until October 21, 2026, to support the students at our school.
    By allocating your apprenticeship tax payment to ENSA Paris-la Villette, you will be making a tangible contribution to the funding of three initiatives:
    • in 1st year: each student receives a back-to-school kit consisting of an artist’s bag, several squares and rulers, a notebook, a drawing board and a pencil. This basic equipment is useful from the very first week and throughout their studies.
    • in 3rd year: the study trip organized by the TPCAU and STA disciplines to a European destination, which aims to to bring together lessons in design and construction. Through visits and analysis of benchmark housing projects, students acquire the knowledge and skills essential to their future profession.
    • From the L1 to the M2: the purchase of materials (wood, cardboard, clay, straw, canvas, steel, etc.) to create objects designed as part of construction and computer science courses, as well as interdisciplinary educational experiments organized as intensive workshops. During practical exercises—ranging from the creation of models or prototypes to full-scale projects—students explore the fundamental principles of statics and material strength, and learn to master modeling tools and structural analysis.
    Thank you for choosing ENSA Paris-la Villette!

  • ATTENTION: HMONP 2026–2027 – Online pre-registration for external ADEs has been postponed

    Due to a technical issue, pre-registration for external state-certified architects (ADE) (excluding ENSAPLV) has been postponed.
    Originally scheduled for June 24 and 25, 2026, pre-registration will now take place from 9:00 a.m. on July 1, 2026, to 5:00 p.m. on July 2, 2026.

    Please accept our apologies for this inconvenience.

    Architectes diplômés d’État (ADE) external to the school :

    • Pre-registration period: July 1 at 9:00 a.m. through July 2 at 5:00 p.m.
    • Pre-registration constitutes a waiting list for final registration.
    • Application deadline: October 15, 2026

    Find out more about how to apply

  • Créart'UP 2026-2027

    Application deadline: 01/07/2026

    Run by the Maison étudiante de la Ville de Paris, Créart’UP provides annual support for students and recent graduates (less than two years old) from Paris and the Île-de-France region wishing to develop an artistic or cultural project and gain professional experience in the arts and culture sector.

    Eligible fields are: music, theater, dance, visual arts, audiovisual, design, fashion, performance, digital cultural projects, and more broadly all innovative artistic and cultural projects.