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

  • Jacques Rougerie Foundation International Architecture and Innovation Competition 2026 - Académie des beaux-arts

    Application deadline: 24/09/2026

    Each year, this competition rewards architects, designers, engineers, artists and urban planners from all over the world who imagine bold and disruptive current or future architectural projects focusing on submersible land, sea and space, in order to build tomorrow’s new sustainable living environments at national and international level.

    The competition is free and open to students and professionals from all over the world.
      

  • Join the Research in Architecture post-master's program at the start of the new academic year

    Are you thinking of doing a thesis?

    Give yourself the opportunity to spend an extra year in a post-master’s program to confirm your choice and get acculturated to the world of architectural research with a first experience in a research team!

    This course is aimed at architects who have graduated in France or abroad, and hold a university master’s degree or equivalent in spatial issues, as well as master’s students (architecture or other) subject to obtaining their current degree.

  • Find out more about the State Architects and Planners (AUE) competition

    The DRAC d’Île-de-France and CROAIF are organizing two information events to promote the missions of State Architects and Planners (AUE) and increase the number of registrations for the AUE competition, a civil service management body.

    During these meetings, which will take place simultaneously by videoconference and in person at the Chapelle des Récollets (Paris 10th arrondissement), AUEs from the Ministries of Culture, Ecological Transition, the Armed Forces and Europe and Foreign Affairs will give presentations and answer participants’ questions on :

    • training courses available to prepare for the competition ;
    • the competition, tests and expectations (timetable, skills required, etc.) ;
    • jobs in government departments: urban renewal, landscape evolution, project management, heritage preservation, ENSA… ;
    • career development in the civil service.

    Both events will be hosted by Olivier Lerude, Head of the Regional Department of Architecture and Heritage Spaces (SRAEP) at DRAC Île-de-France.

  • Summer Academy in Architecture and Urban Studies - Villa Albertine: 6 of the 9 participating students are from La Villette!

    Following a call for applications, Inès Ben Yarou, Ana Candale, Mathieu Gaudé, Goumar Assia Goumar, Naa-Larlei Lakai and Nathan Oriou have been selected to take part in a nine-week program set up by Villa Albertine and the Cultural and Educational Service of the French Embassy in the United States, in partnership with Gustave Eiffel University.

    This program, supported by Saint-Gobain, offers them the opportunity to enjoy a unique cultural, human and professional experience.