Ilia Voulgari is a Luxembourg-based architect specializing in public architecture, adaptive reuse, and innovative approaches to the built environment. She holds a Master’s degree in Architecture, having studied at the Mackintosh School of Architecture in Glasgow, the Academy of Architecture of Mendrisio in Switzerland, and the École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture in Versailles.

She has worked with Civic Architects in Amsterdam and Paul Bretz Architects in Luxembourg, gaining expertise in the transformation of built heritage and large-scale cultural projects. Currently, she works at Metaform Architects in Luxembourg, where she is involved in international competitions, social housing developments and a major public project in the city of Luxembourg.

Beyond practice, Ilia is an active member of architectural discourse and interdisciplinary collaborations. She co-founded April Initiative ASBL, a non-profit think tank that promotes cross-disciplinary dialogue among professionals shaping the future of the built environment. She is also a board member and founding team member of the Young Planners of OAI – a think tank dedicated to empowering young architects and engineers in Luxembourg redefining the profession’s role. Lastly, she is representative of the EASA (European Architecture Student Assembly) Luxembourg team, having established the first Luxembourgish team in 2017 and participating in three EASA workshops over the years.

Her work has been recognized on a European level—in 2024, she won the New European Bauhaus Award by the European Union for her project Hydroscape Lisbon, which explored innovative, sustainable approaches to urban water management and ecological resilience. With a strong dedication to architecture and curiosity for its evolving role, Ilia actively engages in initiatives that challenge conventional practice, promote experimental approaches, and push the boundaries of architectural thinking

Awards & Achievements

2024 | New European Bauhaus Award
European Commission, Rising Stars Prize
2022 | Final Thesis Student Award
Royal Institute of Architects Scotland
2018 | Year 2 Student Award
Glasgow Institute of Architects
2017 | Glasgow Institute of Architects
Year 1 Design Commendation
2017 | Glasgow Institute of Architects
Special Award Exhibition Curation
2016 | European Baccalaureate
Student Art Award

Publications

2024 | European Commission
New European Bauhaus Awards
2021-2022 | GSA Degree Show Showcase
2018 | AJ Magazine ‘Degree show review:
The Mackintosh School of Architecture, by Phil Zoechbauer
2017-2021 | MacMag Magazine, MSA
2017-2018 | GIA Student Awards Magazine