Iuav University of Venice
Elisa Pezzo, an autumn-session graduate, is awarded a 2,500 € scholarship for her thesis “Reconsidering boundary areas. Reception and integration spaces between Gorizia and Nova Gorica”
Elisa Pezzo wrote
Elisa Pezzo wrote
Receiving Grenfellove’s prize is a great honour for me. I would like to deeply thank the Foundation for their ceaseless support to young people’s education and for providing them with the opportunity to make their dreams come true.
I produced the awarded thesis jointly with my fellow student and friend Beatrice Rendina, as a proof of the genuine links which may arise among university benches thanks to a common passion for architecture, akin to Marco and Gloria’s.
The work originates from reflecting on architecture social responsibility and on the role a design may play in ensuring hospitable, safe and inclusive spaces, mainly for more helpless youths. In particular, my thesis deals with welcoming and integrating the cross-border ones, specifically focusing on unaccompanied foreign minors in the boundary situation between Gorizia (Italy) and Nova Gorica (Slovenia), a territory which has been historically marked with divisions but is presently rich in opportunities.
22 January 2026
Venice