On September 17, the Paris Academy of Architecture awarded Vaillo Irigaray Architects from Navarre with the Gold Medal - Le Soufaché 1874 award . The institution presented the award to Antonio Vaillo and Yago Vaillo, alumni the School of Architecture, for their contribution to the development of French and international architecture.

In the words of the jury, the contemporary projects of Vaillo Irigaray Architects "seek to ensure that architecture stands as a harmonious synthesis of beauty, serenity and preservation of the collective heritage". The jury distinguished the Spanish studio for its commitment to building a more dignified and hopeful world. "Its work provides us with an inspiring perspective, setting itself up as a model to follow in the search for a more just future and greater excellence".

In 1985 Antonio Vaillo founded the studio and years later, his son Yago Vaillo joined the family business in 2019. Antonio Vaillo teaches Master's Degree PFC at the Madrid postgraduate program of the University of Navarra and Yago Vaillo is a professor in the Theory, Projects and Urbanism department of the School of Architecture in Pamplona, where he is pursuing his doctorate. The studio has offices in Pamplona and Malaga and both are currently working on the construction of the Ethnographic Museum of Bilbao, the Marquis Palace in Malaga and the Security and Emergency Coordination Center of Navarra.

Although both acknowledge that the award increases the responsibility of meeting expectations, "we are very happy and, although we do not work to achieve them, they are always welcome".