Archiprix Mind the Gap. Image: Charlotte Grips 

Between Education and Practice: Looking Back at Exhibition Talk Mind the Gap  

On March 26th, Archiprix 2026 collaborated with René Erven from Architectuurcentrum Eindhoven (ACE) and Prof. Sergio M. Figueiredo from Plaza Vertigo. The conversation was about the gap in the transition from architecture education to practice and took place in the Trappenzaal of Plaza Vertigo, next to the displayed Archiprix 2026 Open Vision exhibition.  

Three Archiprix nominees pitched their projects; Fabia Sainz Fernandez (Mountain Nomads), Hendrik Bijma (Forgotten Resilience), and Wiebke Stadtlander (Carescapes). Bringing in themes such as the role of the existing communities, crafts, migration and social empowerment and the use of alternative local materials. During the panel discussion that followed, Juliette Bekkering (Architect, Archiprix board member, full professor and chair of Architectural Design and Engineering at TU/e) and Eslem Karakoç (Assistant Designer at diederendirrix and member of Bright New Architects) joined the conversation representing different generations of architects. Saskia van Stein (IABR) moderated the conversation.  

The Archiprix nominees raised questions about hierarchies that persist within large offices, the loss of talent, creativity and activism in the transition from being students into junior positions, and the difficulty of addressing topics that the architectural field or market parties may not yet be ready to confront or embrace. 

Eslem Karakoç, as a member of Bright New Architects, emphasized the importance of community for young architects: a space to meet, organise and in which questions can be raised, collaborations can emerge and expertise and fascination can be shared. Juliette Bekkering, speaking from her experience as architect and educator, added a personal perspective on architectural education. She stressed the importance of experimentation and creating stronger connections between pedagogical environments and professional practice, allowing students to better understand the realities of the field and to build meaningful relationships early on in their education.  

The topic of the talk proved to resonate deeply with many audience members They actively engaged in the discussion on the transitions that need to happen to make the architectural discipline future proof. Which sparked further dialogue on architectural graduation processes and the different ways these are organized across master’s programmes. While many perspectives and opinions were shared, the conversation also revealed that architectural education is not something that can easily be reduced to a single approach or solution. Instead, the discussion highlighted the importance of continuing to question how architects are educated, supported, and prepared for practice, and how space can be created for new voices, values, and forms of engagement within the discipline. 

A special thank you to all who participated in the talk.  

• Juliette Bekkering 
• Hendrik Bijma 
• René Erven 
• Eslem Karakoç 
• Fabia Sainz Fernandez 
• Wiebke Stadtlander