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NEWS
Libeskind leads jury for 'Art Prison' design competition to transform Mediterranean fortress
POSTED 25 Jan 2018 . BY Kim Megson
The fortress of Santa Caterina stands over the peak of Favignana, an isle in the Mediterranean Sea Credit: YAC
This competition invites designers to get involved with the lure of solitude. By doing so, they will create a mystic architecture able to whisper into the heart of visitors
– Young Architects Competitions
Design initiative Young Architects Competitions (YAC) has joined forces with the Italian government to launch ‘Art Prison’, an ideas contest for the refurbishment of a fortress on a remote island in southern Sicily.

The fortress of Santa Caterina stands over the peak of Favignana, an isle in the Mediterranean Sea. It was once a prison but has stood abandoned for more than a century.

Over time, it has become a tourist attraction and the municipality want to take advantage of its growing popularity by transforming the site into “one of the most atmospheric centres of contemporary art in the Mediterranean”.



Competition organiser YAC has been enlisted to oversee the search for design concepts.

According to their brief, the museum will have to be “a sublime place of encounter, culture and creative research” that can “inspire artists’ imagination and help them express the real essence of their inner self".

“This competition invites designers to get involved with the lure of solitude,” it adds. “By doing so, they will create a mystic architecture able to whisper into the heart of visitors.

"The isle will become a sacred place, a shelter for artists, creative talents and curious people.”

Architects Daniel Libeskind, Manuel Aires Mateus, Felix Perasso and João Luís Carrilho da Graça are part of the competition jury.

Design submissions will be accepted from 12 February and the results will be announced on 30 April, with the winning architect receiving a cash prize of €20,000 (US$24,800, £17,400).
The fortress was once a prison, but has stood abandoned for more than a century Credit: YAC
The municipality wants to transform the site into 'one of the most atmospheric centres of contemporary art in the Mediterranean' Credit: YAC
Daniel Libeskind will lead the competition jury Credit: Stefan Ruiz
RELATED STORIES
  Controversial resort on site of former concentration camp gets green light in Montenegro


A former fortress and concentration camp on an island in Montenegro is set to be turned into a luxury resort and spa after a controversial planning proposal was accepted by the government.
  UK's MOBO wins contest to develop Colombian UNESCO fortress


MOBO Architects has won a design competition to refurbish vertical and horizontal access structures of a UNESCO-protected fortress in Cartagena, Colombia.
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OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and private membership under one roof.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
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NEWS
Libeskind leads jury for 'Art Prison' design competition to transform Mediterranean fortress
POSTED 25 Jan 2018 . BY Kim Megson
The fortress of Santa Caterina stands over the peak of Favignana, an isle in the Mediterranean Sea Credit: YAC
This competition invites designers to get involved with the lure of solitude. By doing so, they will create a mystic architecture able to whisper into the heart of visitors
– Young Architects Competitions
Design initiative Young Architects Competitions (YAC) has joined forces with the Italian government to launch ‘Art Prison’, an ideas contest for the refurbishment of a fortress on a remote island in southern Sicily.

The fortress of Santa Caterina stands over the peak of Favignana, an isle in the Mediterranean Sea. It was once a prison but has stood abandoned for more than a century.

Over time, it has become a tourist attraction and the municipality want to take advantage of its growing popularity by transforming the site into “one of the most atmospheric centres of contemporary art in the Mediterranean”.



Competition organiser YAC has been enlisted to oversee the search for design concepts.

According to their brief, the museum will have to be “a sublime place of encounter, culture and creative research” that can “inspire artists’ imagination and help them express the real essence of their inner self".

“This competition invites designers to get involved with the lure of solitude,” it adds. “By doing so, they will create a mystic architecture able to whisper into the heart of visitors.

"The isle will become a sacred place, a shelter for artists, creative talents and curious people.”

Architects Daniel Libeskind, Manuel Aires Mateus, Felix Perasso and João Luís Carrilho da Graça are part of the competition jury.

Design submissions will be accepted from 12 February and the results will be announced on 30 April, with the winning architect receiving a cash prize of €20,000 (US$24,800, £17,400).
The fortress was once a prison, but has stood abandoned for more than a century Credit: YAC
The municipality wants to transform the site into 'one of the most atmospheric centres of contemporary art in the Mediterranean' Credit: YAC
Daniel Libeskind will lead the competition jury Credit: Stefan Ruiz
RELATED STORIES
Controversial resort on site of former concentration camp gets green light in Montenegro


A former fortress and concentration camp on an island in Montenegro is set to be turned into a luxury resort and spa after a controversial planning proposal was accepted by the government.
UK's MOBO wins contest to develop Colombian UNESCO fortress


MOBO Architects has won a design competition to refurbish vertical and horizontal access structures of a UNESCO-protected fortress in Cartagena, Colombia.
MORE NEWS
London Museum makes destination dining part of the attraction
London Museum will open four new food and drink destinations when it launches its new home at Smithfield on 28 November, making hospitality a central part of the visitor experience at one of the capital's biggest cultural openings of the year.
OMA completes New Museum transformation with landmark expansion and Oberon restaurant
OMA has completed a major transformation of New York's New Museum, creating a larger cultural campus that combines expanded exhibition spaces with learning, performance, hospitality and public programming.
David Rockwell creates immersive magic destination, The Hand and The Eye
A US$50 million (£44.2 million, €51.2 million) transformation of Chicago's historic McCormick Mansion has created a new destination that combines live magic, immersive theatre, dining and private membership under one roof.
Montana Heritage Center opens with immersive exhibits and US$107 million investment
The Montana Historical Society has officially celebrated the opening of its new Montana Heritage Center, a US$107 million (£79 million, €92 million) destination that combines immersive storytelling with cutting-edge audiovisual technology to bring the sta
Universal launches new theme park model with Kids Resort
Universal Destinations and Experiences has launched a new regional theme park model with the opening of Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas.
San Antonio Zoo reports $283 million economic impact as expansion plans progress
San Antonio Zoo has reported a US$283 million economic impact for 2025, following a decade- long transformation programme that has seen almost US$200 million invested into the Texas attraction.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
28-29 Sep 2026

Wellness Destination AI Tech Summit – Tourism, Hospitality & Real Estate, 28-29 Sept 2026

Grand Ballroom, METT Singapore, Singapore
+ More diary  
 


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Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

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