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Born on 8 June 1967, Pierre-Alain Dupraz is a Swiss architect based in Geneva. He began his training at the age of 15 with an apprenticeship and received his degree in architecture in 1991. During his studies, he worked in various architectural practices before going it alone in 1995. He joined the Federation of Swiss Architects in 2002 and founded his own practice, Pierre-Alain Dupraz Architecte ETS FAS, in the same year. He is regularly consulted as an expert by Swiss architecture schools and has taught classes on engineering structures at the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg. He frequently participates in exhibitions, conferences, seminars and competition juries.

Pierre-Alain Dupraz has been awarded numerous prizes in architecture, urban planning and engineering competitions. He has won four major competitions in Geneva: the design competition for the Mont-Blanc walkway, the international parallel studies mandate for the urban planning of the PAV Etoile project, the ideas competition for the development of the waterfront, and the international architecture competition for the Cité de la Musique. He has also received various nominations and honours for the design of the Prangins school (Die Besten 2015, Arc Award 2016 and Best Architects 17) as well as SIA Genève’s 2016 honour award for the construction of the Passerelle de la Paix in Geneva.

His work has been widely published in Swiss and international architecture journals. Two monographs have been dedicated to Pierre-Alain Dupraz: issue 59 of De aedibus, published by Quart Verlag in 2015 (Lucerne), looks back at his career from the start, while Topography in Architecture 2002-2017, published by TC Cuadernos in 2017 (Valencia), features the projects exhibited at La Galerie d’Architecture in Paris in the spring of 2017.

The projects designed and built by Pierre-Alain Dupraz differ in size and nature but all have various aspects in common. They are informed as much by their context as their construction methods. Indeed, the topography surrounding his buildings is inseparable from their design, often becoming their central theme.

Academic work

Pierre-Alain Dupraz has taught at:

• School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg (HEIA), engineering structures workshop from 2007 to 2012

As well as his teaching work, he is regularly consulted by academic institutions as an outside expert to assess student projects, including:

• Geneva School of Engineering, Architecture and Landscape (HEPIA), master’s theses, Joint Master of Architecture, from 2017 to 2019
• School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg (HEIA), Simonet/Ruffieux-Chehab workshop from 2002 to 2015
• Geneva School of Engineering, Architecture and Landscape (HEPIA), Lotti and Aeby workshops from 2010 to 2015
• Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Mestelan, Pictet and Perrault workshops from 2011 to 2013
• National School of Architecture Lyon (ENSAL), Boyadjian/Bregman workshop in 2012
• Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Muttoni and Weinand workshops from 2005 to 2008
• School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg (HEIA), Oribasi/Kramp (engineering structures) workshop from 2004 to 2007
• Mendrisio Academy of Architecture (AAM), Arnaboldi workshop in 2018

Concours Primés

2024

5^th prize in the two-stage multidisciplinary competition at the Trèfle-Blanc ice rink_Lancy

3^rd prize of the multidisciplinary competition for the Bout-du-monde pedestrian bridge_Geneva

2022

1^st prize of the multidisciplinary competition for the construction of the pont de la drague in Sion_Valais

1^st prize of the architectural competition by invitation for “la Fabrique Caran d’Ache” in Bernex_Genève

2021

3^rd Prize FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HOUSING BUILDING IN PIECE G2 OF THE PLQ LE ROLLIET IN PLAN-LES-OUATES, FOR THE EMMA KAMMACHER FOUNDATION

2019

1^st prize for a footbridge, in Crissier_Vaud

3^rd prize for a residential building for La Codha et CPSA, in Vernier_Geneva

2017

1^st prize in the invited international architectural competition of la Cité de la Musique of Geneva

1^st prize for ideas competition for development of La Rade in Geneva

Winner with RDR Architectes, of 2 lots in district of l’Orée de Crissier_Vaud

2016

1^st prize for 3 residential buildings in Vandœuvres_Geneva

3^rd place for a public amenities in the Etang district at Vernier_Geneva

2^nd prize for the construction of housing in Les Grands-Esserts_Geneva

2015

1^st mention, 2^nd place in the competition of an residential building in Claire-Vue Lancy_Geneva

4^th prize for the school group in Les Communaux d’Ambilly at Thônex_Geneva

2014

Winner of Mandat d’études parallèles international d’urbanisme à trois degrés pour le secteur de l’Etoile, Praille Acacias Vernets (PAV)_Geneva

4^th prize for a residential building of La Codha in Les Grottes_Geneva

Finalist for the district of La Caserne des Vernets, PAV Vernets_Geneva

2013

2^nd place for 3 residential buildings, in La Chapelle at Lancy_Geneva

2012

1^st prize for the Footbridge of La Rade_Geneva

2011

1^st prize for a nursery school and childcare centre in Prangins_Vaud

2010

3^rd prize for Ecoquartier in La Jonction_Geneva

2009

Finalist of the ThyssenKrupp Elevator Architecture Award for edification of the «Tall Emblem Structure» in the Za’abeel parc_Dubaï

2008

3^rd prize for a forestry building in Villars-Tiercelin_Vaud

2007

1^st prize for the Nursing home of Rolle_Vaud

4^th prize for extension of the Orientation Cycle of Estavayer-le-Lac_Fribourg

2006

Winner for a private competition for a residential building in Prangins_Vaud

2004

2^nd prize for the covered trench of the Val d’Arve in Carouge_Geneva

1^st mention for the CEVA railway bridge in Carouge_Geneva

1^er prize for La Passerelle de la Paix_Geneva

2003

6^th prize for the german school in Vernier_Geneva

2002

1^st prize for the crèche and the development of a public park in Saint-Jean_Geneva

Finalist of international competition of  young architect YAYA _Corus/Building Design_Londres

1999

4^th prize for the Tambourine school in Carouge_Geneva

1998

1^st prize for the refurbishment of a rural in Grandvillard, Borcard farm_Fribourg

1^st prize for the redevelopment of a rural in Grandvillard, Berset farm_Fribourg

1997

6^th prize for the new museum of ethnography at Charles-Sturm Square_Geneva

1996

1^st prize for the Peschier School_Geneva

1995

1^st prize for a gymnasium and a fire station in Chêne-Bougeries_Geneva