The international architecture competition brought young people’s creativity together with a message for a greener future.

A discarded item can be the starting point for a new idea. At the fifth edition of Riciklo Kreativ, this idea took shape as outdoor sculptures created by architecture students and exhibited at TEG. On 8 October, the international competition recognized its winners at a closing ceremony at TEG, highlighting the students’ creativity and the possibilities offered by recycling.

Organized by the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, with the support of MANE Foundation and in collaboration with TEG, the fifth edition of Riciklo Kreativ centered on the theme “Outdoor Sculpture”. Participants from Albania, the region and beyond were invited to create works from recycled materials, combining artistic expression with environmental protection.

The selected projects were developed into physical models and presented to the public at TEG, giving students the opportunity to follow the entire process, from the initial concept through to the creation and exhibition of their work. For visitors, the sculptures offered a fresh perspective on used materials and the value they can gain through sustainable design.

By providing an exhibition space for these works, TEG reaffirmed its support for young people and emerging talent while introducing visitors to initiatives that encourage environmental responsibility. Riciklo Kreativ turned the centre into a space where students’ ideas met the public, and where a visit became an opportunity to discover, reflect and reconsider what we usually discard.

The exhibition’s message is directly linked to the green approach TEG puts into practice every day. Its commitment to conserving natural resources is reflected in an investment of approximately €1.9 million in clean energy, with solar panels generating around 2.9 million kWh annually. Within the centre, 95% of the lighting is LED, while an intelligent system optimizes lighting and climate control, alongside the use of natural light and ventilation. This commitment also extends to electric mobility, with 10 chargers supporting more than 6,000 charging sessions per year.

Supporting Riciklo Kreativ added an educational dimension to this approach: through the exhibited works, care for the environment became a tangible message, inviting the public to see new possibilities in what they usually throw away. Through its collaboration with FAU and MANE Foundation, TEG continues to support initiatives that give emerging talent a platform and bring sustainable practices closer to the community.