El 8 House, proyecto de BIG de 650.000 m2 ubicado en Copenhague, Dinamarca, que permite a sus residentes recorrer todo el conjunto en bicicleta desde la calle hasta el 10° piso, recibió el “2012 AIA Institute Honor Award for Architecture”.

8 House honored by the American Institute of Architects

8 House honored by the American Institute of Architects

8 House honored by the American Institute of Architects

8 House honored by the American Institute of Architects

8 House honored by the American Institute of Architects

8 House honored by the American Institute of Architects

The 8 House in Copenhagen, Denmark, which allows its residents to bike all the way from the street up to its 10th level penthouses, receives the 2012 AIA Institute Honor Award for Architecture that recognizes achievements that elevate the general quality of the architectural practice. The 8 House which entails 650,000 ft² is honored by the jury panel for the buildings distinctive design and ability to contribute to the city and its surroundings.

“The 8 House masterfully recreates the horizontal social connectivity and interaction of the streets of a village neighborhood through a series of delightful accessible ramps in a mixed use, multifamily housing project. The skillful shaping of the mass of the facility provides an invigorating sculptural form while creating the ramped “pedestrian” street system and providing full depth dwelling units which are filled with light and views. People really ‘live” in this newly created neighborhood with shopping, restaurants, an art gallery, office facilities, childcare, educational facilities and the sound of children playing. This is a complex and exemplary project of a new typology”.
2012 Institute Honor Awards for Architecture Jury

The bowtie-shaped mixed-use building of three different types of residential housing and 110,000 ft² of retail and offices comprises Denmark’s largest private development ever undertaken. The 8 House has previously been awarded the World Best Residential Building at 2011 World Architecture Festival in Barcelona, the Scandinavian Green Roof Award and the Utzon Prize for its innovative use of concrete.

“Having established ourselves in New York City this past year we are honored that the AIA has given this great distinction to the 8 House which is a further realized example of our approach called architectural alchemy – the idea that by mixing traditional ingredients, retail, row­houses and apartments in untraditional ways – you create added value if not gold. Housing projects are rarely brought out as world architecture. The fact that the 8 House has now achieved this honorable status, can be seen as a symbol of a piece of architectural alchemy that works. Moreover, I am genuinely happy that our long and inspiring cooperation with Per Høpfner and St. Frederikslund is rewarded in the other parts of the world.”
Bjarke Ingels, Founder & Partner, BIG

Fuente: 8 House honored by the American Institute of Architects

La iglesia Laurence es un monumento histórico que ha recibido dos distinciones en las categorías “espacio de exposición” y “espacio público” de los Premios FX International Interior Design, Londres.

Kossmann.dejong wins international design awards in London and Chicago

The exhibition The Laurence church: a monument filled with stories has received two awards in the categories Museum or Exhibition Space and Public Space at the FX International Interior Design Awards in London.

The International Interior Design Association in Chicago, which organises the IIDA Global Excellence Awards, announced that The Laurence church Rotterdam has received an honourable mention. Winning these awards highlights that content and narrative are ever more appreciated in the world of interior design. The FX awards are prestigious international interior design awards, which are handed out in London annually. This year the organisation received over 600 submissions from across the globe while over 1200 guests attended the award ceremony. What is special is that the Laurence church is the only submission that received awards in two different categories. The prizes were awarded by two different juries, which were unanimous in their enthusiasm. The IIDA Global Excellence Awards is an annual global interior design competition organised by the International Interior Design Association in Chicago. It was announced last week that the Laurenskerk was awarded an honourable mention in the category Cultural/Institutional/Educational.

The Laurence church: a monument filled with stories
The Laurence church: a monument filled with stories is a unique exhibition in a unique location. It contains stories about the past and the present, life and death, the city´s bombing and rebuild, and also its quietness. The exhibition draws on five centuries of history. The permanent display is not a traditional exhibition, because there is no collection to present. The stories are told via multi-perspective multimedia means instead. They are stories that make connections between the secular and the religious and that involve visitors both emotionally and intellectually. The chapels play the lead and each tells its own story. The display has added a new narrative layer to the architecture of the church. By allowing the walls to speak, the building has been transformed into the exhibition´s carrier. Therefore it hasn´t become a spatial installation, but the space itself has become the exhibition. Kossmann.dejong has realised the Laurence church´s makeover without making any significant interventions in the structure, but returning its history to the building. The new layout therefore makes a significant contribution to the discourse about reuse and refurbishment of religious buildings in particular.

About Kossmann.dejong
Kossmann.dejong, exhibition architects, is an Amsterdam-based design agency that focuses on exhibition and interior architecture. The company was founded in 1998 by Herman Kossmann (1958) and Mark de Jong (1960). Both are architecture graduates from the Technical University Delft. Since its inception, the agency has grown to include over 20 employees. A connection between content and imagination is what characterises Kossmann.dejong’s design approach. It manages to do this while making complex design issues accessible to a broad audience and to transform them into intrinsic experiences. The agency combines a range of disciplines and media that enable it to tell spatial stories. Film, lighting and sound are indispensable media in generating experiences. The subjects of its exhibition designs vary from architecture, to children´s books, and from history to psychiatry, art for teenagers and microorganisms. Recent projects include The Darkroom, the first permanent presentation on Dutch photographic history – in the form of an interactive darkroom – for the Netherlands Photo Museum in Rotterdam, and Death Matters, an exhibition about rituals surrounding death in the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam.

Fuente: Kossmann.dejong wins international design awards in London and Chicago

El plan municipal proponía ubicar un largo bloque en la parcela. En su lugar, decidimos agrupar el programa en una torre compacta y liberar así una plaza pública 4000 m2. El atrio es un espacio continuo que conecta la academia con la ciudad, desde la calle hasta la terraza, como una escalera gigante que pasa por dentro del edificio.
El edificio tiene sólo tres elementos estructurales, esto significa que todas las plantas están completamente libres de columnas. El edificio está envuelto con una fachada de carga, una grilla con columnas verticales y refuerzos diagonales. El núcleo contiene las comunicaciones verticales, ascensores, dos escaleras de emergencia, pozos de ventilación, salas técnicas y servicios sanitarios. La flexibilidad es un valor fundamental del proyecto que permitirá a largo plazo reconfigurar libremente la distribución de las plantas de la academia.

Estonian Academy of Arts

The municipal plan at the plot dictated a long flat perimeter block. Instead we proposed to stack the programme in a compact tower – liberating half of the site to a 4000 sqm public plaza. A blank canvas the academy can fill out with exhibitions, events in a dialogue with the city.
The public plaza continuous through the building in a spiralling atrium that connects the entire academy in one collective space. It literally connects the academy with the city. The programme is organized a simple stacking with shared and general functions in the lower part, then the workshops, faculties and administration.
At each major programmatic shift the atrium takes a long turn and creates a large public plaza – 5 in all. Each of the plazas also has a spectacular panoramic view to different urban districts of Tallinn. This creates two connected worlds: a compact academic world with contemplation and specialized knowledge and the spiralling atrium as an open interdisciplinary world with large flexible spaces.

The atrium is one continuous space connecting the entire building from street level to the roof. It is like a giant staircase going through the building. It relates the functions above with those below through a common space of terraces and balconies. The 5 plazas contain large shared functions such as lobby, exhibition space, reading hall, workshop areas and in the top we have the canteen.

The building only has three structural elements: Two vertical load bearing elements: the core and a concrete diagrid in the facade. Then 16 post-tensioned insitu concrete slabs spanning the full with between the two. That means all floors are completely column free.
The building is wrapped in a load bearing facade, a diagrid with vertical columns and diagonal bracings. The length of the columns is measured by the height of the rooms behind it clearly marking out the spiralling atrium in the facade.
The core accommodates all vertical communication; elevators, two emergency stairs, shafts for ventilation, technical rooms and toilets.
Flexibility is a core value in the project: The combination of column free floors and a raised floor gives the academy total flexibility in reconfiguring the layout of floors on a long term basis.

Estonian Academy of Arts

Estonian Academy of Arts

Estonian Academy of Arts

Fuente: Estonian Academy of Arts

El plan para el futuro desarrollo de Gadeokdo, Corea del Sur, surge de una ambiciosa estrategia para el desarrollo urbano del turismo de masas que garantiza la sostenibilidad y la calidad de vida. Un simple gesto preserva el santuario natural de la sierra de Mijas, mientras que en la zona costera se desarrolla una zona de ocio, entretejiendo el desarrollo urbano y los paisajes de recreo.

Gadeokdo Masterplan

City of Hanging Gardens

Gadeokdo Masterplan

Overview

Gadeokdo Masterplan

City of Islands

Gadeokdo Masterplan

Terraced City

The plan for the future development of Gadeokdo illustrates an ambitious strategy for urban mass tourism development, in a way that ensures both sustainability and living qualities for all.

A simple gesture guarantees the preservation of the natural sanctuary of the mountainous landscape, while the coastal area is developed into
a maritime leisure zone, interweaving urban development and recreational landscapes.

Through an ambitious energy strategy, combining wind, sun and waste-energy in combination with an extensive and efficient public transportation system, Gadeokdo will be developed to become completely carbon neutral.

Gadeokdo Masterplan

Gadeokdo Masterplan

Gadeokdo Masterplan

Gadeokdo Masterplan

Gadeokdo Masterplan

Gadeokdo Masterplan

Fuente: Gadeokdo Masterplan

• Finalists
- AEM239 Hans Schwarz Bassila / Diego Castillo Díaz (Guatemala)
- AFW275 Luis Romero (Spain)
- AFM265 Julia Antúnez Bernal / Manuel Mª Granados de Osma / Juan Luis Mayén Morán (Spain)
- ADL213 Adam Zwierzyński / Anna Porębska (Poland)

• Mentions
- AAZ149 Ignacio Hornillos Cárdenas / Pio Dólera (Spain)
- AFV274 Cheng Gong / Jinming Feng (United States of America)
- AGV303 Louisa Vermoere (Netherlands)

• Winners
- 1º AGI290 John Ng / Pei-Yao Wu (United Kingdom)
- 2º ABF155 Lucia Nazaré Durio de la Cruz / Nicolás Mariné Carretero (Spain)
- 3º AGT301 Hyun Tek Yoon(United States of America) Young Il Kim (Netherlands)

More information > http://es.scribd.com/fullscreen/67112610?access_key=key-2atxe80nyqrosj1gj89l

Fuente: Results of ISMOF Contest

Vincent van der Meulen ha sido elegido como uno de los más importantes jóvenes arquitectos europeos en el concurso “40 under 40”.

International recognition to Vincent van der Meulen

International recognition to Vincent van der Meulen

Vincent van der Meulen has been chosen by Europe 40 under 40 as one of the most important upcoming young European architects. The annual laureate, which is awarded by the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, recognises new talent and new creative thinking at the forefront of the architecture profession today.

Vincent van der Meulen, who joined Dutch architecture office Kraaijvanger Urbis in 2006 and is associate partner since 2010, specializes in innovative buildings that are highly sustainable. His work is characterized by a constant search to find new ways of making cities and buildings completely sustainable. He passionately advocates international, multidisciplinary collaboration to find a new and more attractive balance between the built environment and nature. To him especially the water’s edge forms a key-position where quality of life, space, light and possibilities for sustainable innovation all come together. He currently works on a variety of projects. Amongst others the city halls of Almelo and Venlo as well as a school for urban agriculture in Almere. He has won awards for the self sufficient floating house and the World Sustainability Centre ‘Afsluitdijk’. Van der Meulen is internationally active with the ‘Open Source House’-initiative (concept owner). A new project will be launched at the beginning of 2012 which aims at accelerating the developments self sufficient housing. His submission for the Europe 40 under 40 included the self sufficient floating house, the World Sustainability Center Afsluitdijk and the Water purifying community Maashaven in Rotterdam.

About  Kraaijvanger • Urbis
It is an independent consultancy for town planning, architecture, interior design, landscape, project planning and project management. Founded in 1928 , Kraaijvanger • Urbis has always succeeded in passing on knowledge and skill to the next generation. The firm’s analytical and realization-oriented approach is suited for both small-scale consultancies and large, complex, multidisciplinary projects. Projects vary from high-rise office buildings and major town halls to exclusive private residences, retail, educational institutes and prestigious cultural centers. In addition, the firm specializes in complex inner-city projects. Context and content of a design play a key role in each project, with a focus on timeless quality. Sustainable construction principles form an integral part of the design process. Our goals are clear: buildings with a net zero energy consumption, built entirely from cradle to cradle materials and open to the future. Additional value is created by adding new layers (local) meaning. To achieve this Kraaijvanger • Urbis focuses on the relationship between their three disciplines: architecture, urban design and interior, which forms the key to success in designing fundamentally sustainable projects. Projects by Kraaijvanger • Urbis include amongst others the City Hall Den Bosch, the Dutch Embassy Residence in Beijing, and the Concert and event center De Doelen in Rotterdam. Current projects include the new city hall in Utrecht, Museum Kranenborg in Bergen. Next to this Kraaijvanger Urbis is working on the new Municipal Office for Venlo (which is fully designed according to cradle to cradle principles), and is closely involved in the Open Source House, an initiative to structurally improve the quality and sustainability of housing in low income countries. Recently completed are the Dordrecht Museum, the Arte College in Almere, the Culture Building in Hoofddorp and the headoffice for Rabobank in Utrecht.

More information > www.kraaijvanger.urbis.nl / www.vincentvandermeulen.com

Fuente: International recognition to Vincent van der Meulen

El ‘European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies’, junto con ‘The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design’, anunciaron la selección del premio europeo ’40 under 40’® para el año 2011. El premio reconoce los mejores nuevos talentos del diseño europeo en los ámbitos de la arquitectura, la arquitectura del paisaje, el urbanismo y el diseño industrial y su contribución excepcional, liderazgo y primeros logros en sus carreras profesionales.

16 European Nations honored this year as Europe’s leading 40 under 40

The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, together with The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, announce this year’s award selection for Europe 40 under 40® for 2011. Europe 40 Under 40 recognizes the best emerging European design talent in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, and industrial design and their exceptional leadership contributions and achievements early in their professional careers.

Thirty-nine architects and landscape architects and one industrial designer were selected by a jury of architecture and design practitioners that convened in Seattle, Washington. The Jury for Awards was held at the Seattle office of The American Institute of Architects and included the following architects and industrial design leaders: John Barratt, President/CEO, Teague; Alan Maskin, Principal, Olson Kundig Architects; and Rafael Vignoly, Design Principal, LMN Architects. The winning 2011 Europe 40 Under 40 will form an exhibition during the XIII BA11- International Biennial of Architecture in Buenos Aires at Centro Cultural Recoleta (Junin 1930 C.P. 1113) opening October 8 and continuing through October 30, 2011. Plans are being formulated to travel the exhibition inside Europe in 2012. This year’s program drew submissions from young architects and designers from all European Union (EU) countries, including accession countries and Switzerland. Presented annually, the program is open to all young architects, landscape architects, urban planners, industrial designers, graphic designers, and fashion and textile designers who are under the age of 40 who are working independently or in a firm or on a specific project where they are the lead designer.

Geographically, this year’s Laureates for the 2011 “Europe 40 Under 40” arrive from across 16 European nations: Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Turkey, Sweden, Spain – the best of the young best of Europe. “Some of Europe’s most exceptional design talent was selected this year,” states Christian K. Narkiewicz-Laine, Museum President, The Chicago Athenaeum. “These young practitioners, currently designing and building some of the most provocative work today, promise to be riding the crest of the future in Europe.” “The Europe 40 Under 40 program was initiated by the European and American institutions,” states Kieran Conlon, Director/COO, The European Center, “as an annual program to spotlight and identify the next generation of architects and designers who will impact future living and working environments, cities, and rural areas throughout Europe. “This year’s range and quality of work was most substantial—from skyscrapers to art exhibitions,” continues Mr. Conlon. “New corporate architecture, institutional projects, religious buildings, civic and political structures, planning projects, urban renewal, restoration/renovation, residential architecture for single family and multi-family dwellings, stores, residential or commercial interiors, sports and transportation centers, institutions, parks, monuments, and public environments. It was difficult to narrow down the number of submissions to just 40.”

The 2011 Europe 40 Under 40 Laurates

Mikko Kärkkäinen – Finland
Mikko Kärkkäinen is one of Finland’s prominent up-and-coming young industrial designers. He is the principal of Tunto Design, which features products handmade at his workshop in Järvenpää, Finland. His focus is on lamps, light, and developing radical new concepts that combine the latest technology with wooden materials. He has won both the GOOD DESIGN and Green GOOD DESIGN Awards for his innovative lighting products from The Chicago Athenaeum.

Daniel Jiménez Ferrera – Spain
Daniel Jiménez Ferrera is principal of the firm, Daniel Jiménez+Jaime Olivera Arquitectos in Badajoz, Spain. Their projects have won several architecture competitions including Urban renovation of environs of Triana Bridge (Sevilla 1999), Social dwellings (Málaga 2000), Habla Winery (Trujillo 2001), Multipurpose Building (Zafra 2002), San Marcos Winery (Almendralejo 2003), Museum of the Wine (Almendralejo 2005), Vía de la Plata Youth Hostel (Casar de Cáceres 2006), Central Emergency 112 Service (Mérida 2006), Central of Transports (Olivenza 2007), Territorial Center (Olivenza 2008), R+D+I Center (Badajoz 2009). They are also authors of Pinofranqueado Health Care Center (2005), Urban Plan and Cultural Info Point in the Plan Meta_Mórfosis for the Contemporary Art Museum-MEIAC (2006), EMAG Supporting and Administration Offices for the North and South Logistic Areas in Extremadura (2007), Urban Actions in Badajoz (2008), published in international magazines (AV, Future, Area, C3, AeV) and selected in Architectural Exhibitions in Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Cádiz, Valencia, Granada, Badajoz, Cáceres, Lisbon, Köln, Konstanz. In January 2006 the Habla Winery in Trujillo won the Prize of Architecture of Extremadura, the Casar Youth Hostel was selected in the Spanish Biennial for Young Architects in 2008 and in July 2011 the MUCVA was awarded in the Philippe Rotthier European Prize for Architecture.

Donaldas Trainauskas – Lithuania
Donaldas Trainauskas is the principal of the firm 4 PLIUS architects in Vilnius and Kaunas, Lithuania. The firm has built some outstanding residential and commercial buildings in Lithuania and has participated in numerous local and international exhibitions in Hannover, Budapest, and Berlin. In 2004, the firm won an award for the reconstruction of Utena A. and V. Miškiniai Public Lbrary.

Aleksandra Jaeschke (Poland) / Andrea Di Stefano (Italy)
Aleksandra Jaeschke and Andrea Di Stefano are partners in the Italian firm of Studio AION in Siracusa, Italy. The studio was founded by both architects after graduating from the Architectural Association in London in 2005. AION is an architectural practice engaging with the complexity of built environments through an integral approach. Matter, technique and function are treated as a continuum through a design process triggering novelty out of sistematicity and assessing praxis as a form of creative engineering of life. Understanding architecture as essentially involved in the material organization of the living, the office operates within urban and environmental processes seeking for higher system performance across scales and domains.

Olivier Camus / Lydéric Veauvy – France
Olivier Camus and Lydéric Veauvy are partners of the French firm of Tank Architectes in Roubaix, France. The firm has creating superb examples of private residences and civic buildings. Recent projects include: City Hall of Proville, Proville, France (2008); La Minoterie, Roubaix, France (2008); The Levy Strauss School, Lille, France (2010); Mediatheque de Proville, Proville France (2010); and Nine Houses in Lens, France (2009-2010).

Israel Alba Ramis – Spain
Israel Alba Ramis is principal of the firm of Isreael Alba Ramis Arquitecto in estucioAF in Madrid. The firm is a team of young professionals (architects, engineers, designers, quantity surveyors, landscape architects, etc) who share an equal motivation, concern, compromise and excitement for architecture and their way of practicing the profession. Recent awards include a Competition for 140 Dwellings, Garages, and Storage Rooms for Instituto de la Vivienda de Madrid in 2007 (First Place); and Competition of 35 Ideas of 50 Dwellings in Cuervas del Almanzora in 2006 (Finalist). Notable works include: Environmental Technological Center in Valderingomez Forest Park in Madrid and Office Block + Industrial Plant near Vicalvao, Madrid.

Stefania Papitto – Italy
Stefania Papitto is principal in the Italian firm of Evels & Papitto-b4architects based in Rome. Founded in 2003, the group was born as a free relationship between architects that work in a synergic way, joining several areas of knowledge together. The firm’s work centers in producing projects that contribute to the debate of the complexity of modern life. Their approach to any project is to involve all parties in a creative collaboration to define the objectives of the project with a balanced combination within critical readings of the local context and the “outsider” perspective of us. Principal projects include: Design for the Children-Pediatric Clinci in Rwanda (2009); “Spazio Verdi” a new bookshop space in Rome; and a Master Plan “Touching Water” in Kotka, Finland.

Tom Darmon/ Laetitia Antonini – France
Tom Darmon is partner in the French firm of Antonini + Darmon, together with Laetitia Antonini and based in Paris. The firm specializes in urban planning and commercial and high-rise buildings. Recent projects include the Competition for the Sport Complex in Saint Nazaire (2011); Competition for Apartments in Lilas (2011); 130 Student and Young Workers Rooms in Saint Denis (2011); Competition for 60 Apartments and Commercial Spaces OPH Aubervilliers (2011); and 12 Apartments at Houilles.Forest Park in Madrid and Office Block + Industrial Plant near Vicalvao, Madrid.

Paolo Iotti / Marco Pavarini – Italy
The Italian-based firm, Iotti + Pavarani Architetti was established in Reggio Emilia in 2001 by Paolo Iotti and Marco Pavarani, The firm specializes in urban planning and landscape architecture, as well as civic and commercial building. The firm was recently named the Best Italian Practice under 40 in the inaugural Renzo Piano Foundation Prize competition for its design of Domus Technica in Brescello, Italy. Domus Technica also was also awarded the 2011 National Prize for Architecture ANCE IN/ARCH IV edition. Since its launch, IPA has been awarded eleven first prizes, three second prizes, a third prize, and two honorable mentions for its portfolio of built and in-progress projects.

Hakan Demirel – Turkey
Istanbul based architecture office Suyabatmaz Demirel was first founded by architect Arif Suyabatmaz in 1995. In 2008, Hakan Demirel, a graduate of Yildiz Technical University School of Architecture, returned to Istanbul after finishing his studies in New York and formed a partnership together with Arif Suyabatmaz and the office name hence changed to Suyabatmaz Demirel. The firm’s works focus mostly on residential, commercial and office spaces and the scale range varies from single houses to high-density residential blocks or from single commercial units to shopping complexes. The austere and rich architectural language formed by delicate choices of materials, colors and details enable the office to create distinct spatial experiences even for conventional functions. Recent projects include: Walk-in Cinema (2011) and TAO Tower (2011) both in Istanbul.

Eric Frijters / Olv Klinj – The Netherlands
Eric Frijters and Olv Klijn are partners of the Dutch firm of .FABRIC. The firm is a knowledge intensive design practice involved in architecture, urbanism, and research in FABRICations, which appear in a large variety of media ranging from actual buildings to visual representations and written texts. Recently, the firm was invited to participate in brainstorming the future of Brabant Stad – the urban network of the five major cities of North Brabant: Breda, Eindhoven, Helmond, Hertogenbosch and Tilburg – and how to strengthen this spatial structure (2011). Also, the office was commissioned to research and map the characteristics of the coastal towns Wijk aan Zee, Petten, Den Helder and Zandvoort, in relation to long-term coast safety (2011). FABRIC won the Prix the Rome 2010 for architecture, which is the most prestigious prize for young architects in the Netherlands that is awarded once in four years.

Augustin Rosenstiehl/ Pierre Sartoux – France
Augustin Rosenstiehl and Pierre Sartoux are partners in the firm of SOA Architectes in Paris. Since 2001, the office has been practicing and asserting diversity by each partern’s distinctive backgrounds in architecture, design, ethnology, urbanism and conceptual art. This collaborative approach marks each engagement by incorporating a rigorous theoretical, aesthetic and sociological assessment, itself the result of the analysis of relevant geographical and social factors. The firm is a recent winners of several competitions (The Museum of the Audomarois Wetlands; Aubervilliers’ Psychiatric Hospital; A Hostel for Adoma in Paris including 55 housing units; a housing project of 88 apartments for Zac Médicis, in Blois; The Eco-district of the Saclay Pplateau). The studio now uses green energy with Enercoop, a non profit organization that only gets it from renewable energy producers.

Stéphane Fernández / Ivry Serres – France
Stéphane Fernandez and Ivry Serres are partners in the French firm of atelier Fernandez & serres architectes in Aix en Provence in France. The firm specializes in the design of apartments, cultural spaces, commercial buildings, public areas, landscape architecture and urban planning. Recently, the firm won the competitions for Equipement Culturel a Vertou (dance, theatre, music, and performance) and an apartment building in Carnoux. Other projects include Les Graines d’Etoiles Nursery (2009) in Aix en Proviince, a Baraganesque-style nursery in the French countryside and the Multimedia Library Albert Camus (2008) in Carnoux.

Alisa Andrasek – Croatia
Alisa Andrasek is a research based practitioner of architecture and computation and founding principal of BIOTHING. She graduated from the University of Zagreb, and holds a Masters in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University. In addition to conducting research, Andrasek teaches studios and seminars at the Architectural Association Design Research Lab and the UCL Bartlett post graduate program, and has taught at Columbia, Pratt, UPenn, RMIT Melbourne and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Recent exhibitions include Transitory Objects TB-A21 in Vienna, Elles at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, A_maze at FRAC Orleans, Synathroisis in Athens; Scripted by Purpose in Philadelphia, Seroussi pavilion in Paris, Ars Mathematica in Paris, the 2003 Prague Biennale, the 2004 Sydney Biennial, Architectural Biennial Beijing 2004, 2006 and 2008, and the New Museum, New York, amongst others. Her curatorial work includes “Emergent Talent Emergent Technologies” exhibitions for the Beijing Biennial 2006 and 2008. and “PROTO/E/CO/LOCICS: Speculative Materialism in Architecture” symposium in Rovinj Croatia. She lectured and published her work and writings worldwide. Andrasek was born in Croatia and presently lives in London. // www.biothing.org

Maxim Laroussi – Ireland
Moroccan-born, French-raised Maxim Laroussi, is a partner in the Dublin and Lyon-based studio of Architecture Republic, founded in 2005. The firm’s focus is on the conceptual research and analysis of projects through design studies in the field of architecture, urbanism and landscape design, as well as collaborative work in art, graphic design, theatre etc. The office has since garnered numerous awards, as well as a nomination for the Mies van der Rohe prize. Recent projects include “Brick a Back House, “ a renovated private family home located in Irishtown, Dublin and “Plastic House,” another renovation project in Dublin. Other works include mixed-use developments housing rehearsal studios, a boutique hotel, offices and café in Dublin, Ireland; 70,000 ft2 reconversion and refurbishment of an existing shopping centre into offices in Poznan, Poland; a rural sustainable housing development in the Languedoc-Roussillon, France; and various domestic houses in Ireland and overseas. He currently teaches at the School of Architecture University Limerick.

Dirk Kroliko (England) & Falko Schmitt (Germany)
The London-based partnership between Dirk Krolikowski and Falko Schmitt (DKFS) has its origins in their time together at university (RWTH Aachen). Next to their engagement in international practices they maintain a creative studio to share their common and genuine interest in ‘architectural structures’ such as bridges with an interdisciplinary approach to design. DKFS so far has won international competitions, amongst them the international RIBA competition for the 110m River Douglas Bridge together with ARUP as structural consultant. Recently Dirk and Falko were awarded the first prize in a prestigious international bridge competition for a 52m moving bridge in the centre of Vienna which is intended to start on site in 2011 (Structural engineer: Jane Wernick Associates). It will be Vienna’s first bascule bridge. From 2007 to 2009 both partners have been teaching the Design Engineering Unit at the RWTH Aachen.

Erik Giudice – Sweden
Erik Giudice Architects is a multidisciplinary architectural office based in Paris and Stockholm. Erik Giudice and his team have built up international recognition through winning competition entries and built projects in a wide range of scales and programs: from cultural centers, sport facilities to large urban projects. His firm has the capacity to undertake complex and large projects and works with a network of highly qualified specialists in all related fields. Regardless of scale or location the office always fuels all its energy into the project, combining passion, pragmatism and commitment. Recent projects include: Highrise and urban design in Mörby Centrum (2010); Grand Stadium Competition Casablanca (2010); and Fair and Exhibition Centre in Malmo.

Irlander – Sweden
Studio Irander was established in 2007 in The Hague in The Netherlands and is practicing landscape architecture and urbanism through a contextual approach based on research. The studio relocated in 2008 and is now based in Stockholm, Sweden. Recent competition projects include: the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design, Oslo (Finalist, 2010); Vatnsmyri, Reykjavik (First Rank Award, 2008); and Nordhavnen, Copenhagen (2009).

Vincent Van der Meulen – The Netherlands
Vincent van der Meulen is a associate partner in the Rotterdam-based architecture studio of Kraaijvanger • Urbis, where he specializes in innovative buildings that are highly sustainable. His work is characterized by a constant search to find new ways of making cities and buildings completely sustainable. He passionately advocates international, multidisciplinary collaboration to find a new and more attractive balance between the built environment and nature. To him especially the water’s edge forms a key-position where quality of life, space, light and possibilities for sustainable innovation all come together. Vincent van der Meulen’s recent projects include the municipal offices of Almelo and Venlo, the school for urban agriculture in Almere and the self-sufficient floating home.
- Ilkka Salminene / Riina Palva – Finland
- Jussi Palva / Väinö  Nikkilä – Filand

VERSTAS Architects Ltd is a Helsinki-based architecture practice founded in 2004 by four architects, Väinö Nikkilä, Jussi Palva, Riina Palva and Ilkka Salminen. Verstas offers high quality architectural design and operates on the whole scope of architect’s work, from urban design to the finest architectural detail. The firm aims to improve the built environment and is committed to working in close collaboration with all parties involved in a project to achieve the best result. Recent projects include Kirkkojärvi School, which won the International Architecture Award from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design; Hämeenkatu City Plan for Jyväskylä; and City Cottage (2010) designed as a modern interpretation of the summer huts on the shores of Helsinki.
- Albuquerque Goinhas / Augusto Marcelino – Portugal
- Cristina Mendonça / Luis Baptista – Portugal
- Nuno Griff / Sofia Antunes – Portugal

Pedro Patrício – Portugal
The Lisbon-based Embaixada Arquitectura it a collective established in 2001 by the seven 40 Under 40 associates with the aim to produce works capable of answering to the exquisite requisites of contemporary life by innovative ways. As an office, it refuses to be limited to one type of specialization, constantly searching for new and different challenges. The work developed encloses areas in urbanism, architecture, art, and design. Recent projects include Tomar Environmental Monitoring and Interpretation Offices—part of the Polis programme-nationwide and govermental program. The strategy was to revive cities by introducing new equipment such as the Environmental Monitorizing and Interpretation Offices (EMIO) buildings. Another project in Tomar, Casa Dos Cubos, consists of a rehabilitation of an ancient factory. The old structure is left all white, intact, while the new black structure stands inside, connecting spaces and creating interesting promenades.

Petras Tsabikos – Greece
Petras Tsabikos of Tsabikos Petras architectural studio is an architect, engineer and teaching assistant at the NTUA, based in Athens. He has participated in research projects and has been awarded in hellenic and international architectural competitions. His interests include accessibility and sensory awareness in spatial perception.Tempus Fugit – Piraeus Tower, Attica (2010) and Wallhouse, Lavrion, Attica (2009) were voted as two of the 12 Leading Projects in Greece, “The Best Projects of the Years 2008-2010,” by Domes Magazine in Athens.

Salwa Mikou – France
Salwa Mikou,partner in the firm of Mikoustudio Architects in Paris, previously worked from 2001 to 2005 with Jean Nouvel on international projects – residential and office buildings in Beirut, Seoul and Paris, urban projects in Doha, Valencia and Rabat, a cultural and educational centre in Kuwait city, a park in Barcelona and the studies for the Tanger Harbour. Recent projects include: Lions Fountain Square, Parc de la Villette in Paris (2011); Albert Thomas School Complex, Bordeaux (2011); and a competition fo r ZAC Lyon Confluence H2, Housing for Elderly People for the Peninsula (2011).

Jan Ammundsen – Denmark
Jan Ammundsen is Partner and Head of the Competition Department at the Danish architecture studio 3XN. The architecture of 3XN is created in the nexus between science and art; iconic design and context. The studio’s philosophy is that architecture shapes behavior and that a thorough dialogue with clients and end users is crucial to the success of our projects. In 2007 3XN established the research and development department GXN working on implementing new (green) materials and technologies in the studio’s projects. The practice had its international breakthrough in the late 1990′s with the Danish Embassy in Berlin (completed in 1999) and the Muziekgebouw Concert Hall in Amsterdam (competition win in 1997). In 2005 3XN won the competition for the new Museum of Liverpool which opened in the summer of 2011. Jan Ammundsen’s portfolio includes other first prize projects like: The Blue Planet Aquarium, The Arc in Mandal and Molde Theatre and Jazzhouse in Norway, Middelfart Savings Bank, Dublin Concert Hall, and Bella Sky Hotel.

Victor Sala Bori – Spain
Victor Sala Bori of the firm, Coolarq, Barcelona, Spain. His project Landscaper, Castelldefels in Barcelona was published by Marché International des Professionnels d’Immobilier for their Future Projects Awards.

Europe 40 Under 40 is organized by Kieran Conlon, Director/COO, The European Centre and Lary L.
Sommers, Director of Administration/Marketing, The Chicago Athenaeum.

The deadline for the 2012 Europe 40 Under 40 is 1 November 2011. Applications are available online at The European Centre’s website at www.europeanarch.eu

For more information > http://www.40under40.com.au/Home.aspx

Fuente: 16 países premiados este año en la convocatoria europea “40 under 40”

El nuevo edificio residencial y de oficinas se encuentra en un importante lugar del antiguo centro de la ciudad de Celje, Eslovenia. Los terrenos destinados a la construcción son parte de un gran zona degradada y olvidada durante décadas, exenta al desarrollo de la ciudad.

Herman’s Square Office and Residential Building, First Prize

Herman’s Square Office and Residential Building, First Prize

Herman’s Square Office and Residential Building, First Prize

The new business residential building is located at an important location in the old city centre in Celje. The land intended for construction is a part of a larger degraded non-built up area, which was somewhat forgotten for decades and exempt from the development of the city.

Through the years a very heterogeneous structure evolved around this “wound” in the urban tissue, which was untouched for a long time. Even though according to urban regulations, the location is a part of the narrow city centre, it is not directly adjacent to any historical buildings. In the north and east it is adjacent to a modern city block construction, on the northwest it is adjacent to a very high residential building in regard to scale of the city and in the south to a low-rise construction with residential villas and freestanding multi-residential buildings. In the west the area is attached to a large park and in the southeast extensive open space, which is also intended for a park in the future, connects it with the area along the Savinja River. Therefore the volumetric design of the new building is not so much related to searching for a connection with the historical city centre but to reconnect the exceptionally heterogeneous construction of the area into a logical whole. The starting volume of the new building is determined in three steps. The lower floors, set up along the edges of the lot, epitomize the height of the freestanding residential buildings in the south.

Together with the public program of the existing city block buildings they embrace the central area and form a new city square. In general, the city block buildings are the dominating form of construction in the city centre in Celje. The fitting for the city block at the treated location is formed by the existing buildings in the north-eastern part of the lot, while the central part of the new building on the western side of the lot rounds up the block with equally high building volume. The tallest point of the new building in Herman’s square relates to the height of the existing residential high-rise, which is located along the road in the north-western edge of the lot. The position of the building next to large opened park surfaces enables equal opening of the facades and lengthy quality views along the whole building envelope. The architectural design with circumferential balconies descends towards the south in the form of terraces and this blurs the sharp transition between the starting volumes. The number of floors of the building softly traverses between the heights adjusted according to surrounding buildings.

Fuente: Herman’s Square Office and Residential Building, First Prize

MVRDV fue consagrado ganador del concurso internacional de diseño para el China Comic and Animation Museum (CCAM) en Hangzhou, China. El diseño de MVRDV hace referencia a los globos de diálogo de las historietas: una serie de ocho volúmenes con forma de globos interconectados que internamente permiten un recorrido circular de todo el programa del museo. La forma de los globos permite montar tanto la colección permanente -que se presenta en una espiral cronológica- como versátiles y flexibles exposiciones temporales. El complejo de 30.000m2 incluye áreas de educación, tres teatros-cines con un total de 1.111 asientos y una biblioteca de cómics. Cuenta también con una serie de parques en las islas, una plaza pública y un centro de exposición de 13.000m2. El inicio de su construcción está previsto para el año 2012, y el presupuesto total es de 92 millones de euros.

China Comic and Animation Museum, Hangzhou

China Comic and Animation Museum, Hangzhou

Birdseye

China Comic and Animation Museum, Hangzhou

Collection

China Comic and Animation Museum, Hangzhou

Interaction hall

China Comic and Animation Museum, Hangzhou

Lake view

China Comic and Animation Museum, Hangzhou

Library

China Comic and Animation Museum, Hangzhou

Plaza

China Comic and Animation Museum, Hangzhou

Lobby

China Comic and Animation Museum, Hangzhou

Theatre

Comics and animations have long been considered a form of entertainment for the younger generations but develop more and more into a sophisticated art form. The initiative for a museum especially for this relatively recent art form creates a platform which will unite the worlds of art and entertainment. By using one of the cartoon’s prime characteristics – the speech balloon – the building will instantly be recognized as place for cartoons, comics and animations. The neutral speech balloon becomes 3d.

The 30.000m2 are distributed over eight volumes which are interconnected allowing for a circular tour of the entire program. Services such as the lobby, education, three theatres/cinemas with in total 1111 seats and a comic book library occupy each their own balloon. If two balloons touch in the interior a large opening allows access and views in-between the volumes. The balloon shape allows for versatile exhibitions, the permanent collection is presented in a chronological spiral whereas the temporary exhibition hall offers total flexibility. Amsterdam based exhibition architects Kossman.deJong tested the spaces and designed exhibition configurations which appeal to different age groups and allow large crowds to visit the exhibition. One of the balloons is devoted to interactive experience in which visitors can actively experiment with all sorts of animation techniques like blue screen, stop motion, drawing, creating emotions etc. The core attraction of this space is a gi gantic 3D zoetrope. The routing of the museum permits short or long visits, visits to the cinema, the temporary exhibition or the roof terrace restaurant. The façade of the museum is covered in a cartoon relief referring to a Chinese vase. The monochrome white concrete façade allows the speech balloons to function: texts can be projected onto the façade. The relief was designed in collaboration with Amsterdam based graphic designers JongeMeesters.

Most of the 13.7 ha site is occupied by a new park on a series of islands in White Horse Lake. Reed beds are used to improve the water quality. Boat rides offer an added attraction. A separate expo building of 25.000m2 will house large fairs and the annual China International Comic and Animation Festival (CICAF). In-between expo and CCAM a public plaza will be the centre of this festival which is the county’s largest cartoon and animation event and has been held annually in Hangzhou since 2005.

Hangzhou is a metropolis with 6.4 million inhabitants 180 km southwest of Shanghai. The Museum will become a new focal point on the less populated southern side of Qiantang river. The CCAM will consolidate the city’s leading position as China’s capital of the animation industry. The new Museum will be the icon of a larger development, the Comic and Animation Centre. It comprises a series of hill-shaped buildings containing offices, a hotel and a conference centre of which the first phase is close to completion.

The museum will contain a multitude of interventions such as ground storage, natural ventilation and adiabatic cooling, all focused towards an excellent energy efficiency rating. The structural concept by Arup enhances the sustainable profile of the building: the aerodynamic design results in even wind pressure and lower need for air-conditioning. The box in box construction of the bubbles permits different conditions inside the building and improves the energy efficiency.

MVRDV won the competition of EMBT, Atelier Bow Wow, Tongji Institute of Architectural Design and Tsinghua Architectural Design. The MVRDV team consists further of Kossman.deJong exhibition architects, local architect Zhubo Architectural & Engineering Design, Arup engineers and JongeMeesters graphic design.

Fuente: China Comic and Animation Museum, Hangzhou

Cada consideración sobre la reconstrucción de un viaducto debe comenzar prestando especial atención tanto a su contexto como a sus componentes, tanto visibles como invisibles. Este proyecto es realmente ambicioso y audaz, tanto en su programa como en su forma arquitectónica. 1-Contexto: circunstancias invocadas: Causa y efecto, para cada acción hay una reacción. 2-Medio: Medio ambiente físico, biológico o geográfico: alrededor de un organismo vivo que influyen en su comportamiento.

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

INHABITATED HIGH-WAY

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

FAVAZZINA VERTICAL VILLAGES

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

FAVAZZINA APARTMENTS

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

Every consideration on viaduct redevelopment must start with particular attention to the largest sense of its context as well as its components, both visible and invisible.

It is of course essential to consider the site’ potential in order to integrate the project within its landscape; furthermore, to gain a deep understanding of every single component representing the milieu2, appears as a fundamental task for the development of such a project.
We also have to be aware of the current international climate that goes far beyond the Calabre region, as it can influence, and maybe even develop the local scale of the project.

We are facing the difficult task of offering new scenarios to these significant masterpieces.
These Viaducts can either be adapted to integrate in the continuity of Calabre’s common society (agriculture?), or on the other hand, they can give a push of motivation for new possibilities that such an atypical redevelopment offers to the region.

It is this second option that we have intended to develop.
Our choices have been carefully considered in order to develop a pragmatic answer and propose a rich, efficient and feasible scenario.
This project is indeed ambitious as well as audacious in both its program and architectural form.

1-Context: Relied circumstances: Cause and effect; for every action there is a reaction.

2-Milieu: Physical, biological or geographical environment: surrounding a living organism and influencing upon its behaviour.

These viaducts have intrinsic qualities: The lanes crossing are very well connected as they are former main roads. They were built sightseeing a heavy traffic flow, therefore the potential load of the bridges is higher than normal.
The aim of the ‘pile & deck’ structure is to span as far as possible by using as few material as possible. The result is a limited impact upon the landscape where it sets relative to the dimensions of the project.

The site where those bridges are located has also some inherent qualities. The Tyrrhenian see can be perfectly observed and the landscape reviles a natural context carefully preserved. Indeed the site benefits of a complete disconnection from any human intervention apart from the high lines.

Several other signs indicate some significant qualities of this site like the presence of Etna, an active volcano that points out a strong geothermic potential on the site.
In addition the presence of ‘Bergamots’ shows also some interesting particularities. Almost 95% of the world’s Bergamots production comes from Calabre. As this fragile vegetable need some very specific weather conditions to grow (need of air humidity and exigency on much reduced temperature span), the climate of the Calabre region appears as one of the most stables in the world.

Program
The sites’ regular climate as well as its proximity to the sea, makes Calabre the optimal holiday resort for the elders.

Its context seems ideal to draw the attention of North European retirees who, like the so called “North American Snowbirds”, once retired decide to migrate voluntarily to other countries where they can find a better quality of life. With this new touristic infatuation, the European offer for such specific places has difficulties to follow. Calabre region seems completely predisposed to draw the attention of this migratory flow.
The redevelopment of the sites’ viaducts appears as the perfect opportunity to develop the right infrastructure for the accommodation of this new kind of migration.

Our intervention upon this original structure in addition to the site’ diverse qualities can potentially lead to a greater excellence than the actual offers.
It is then a matter of developing a specific typology that will enhance the residential aspects such as leisure and health centres. It is also necessary to take advantage of all the forces of the site in order to develop an innovative and environmental project.

Concept
The viaducts’ morphology and especially its piles inspired us to develop vertical villages. The deck therefore should be reinforced by a display of commercial spaces, equipments, medical centres and leisure spaces.

We can only imagine how much time these viaducts have needed to impose themselves upon the landscape where they finally have become a significant part of. This project does not intend to impose a new architectural form as it could fracture the existing one and hence become inadequate.
Consequently we intend to reinforce the viaduct’ existing architectural form in order to keep the impact upon the landscape itself to minimum. This project aims to participate to the evolution of the original viaducts in order to consolidate their original identity.
The project will appear as a contemporary archaeological contribution discordant with its double; it will wrap around the existing one and restructures it in order to give it a new breath.

A harmonious combination of viaduct’ morphology and common pavilion typology, taking place in a new dimension which combines the isolating qualities of a pavilion as well as the advantages of a condominium (proximity, mutualisation etc…). The upper part of one of the viaducts deck will inhabit a pedestrian “promenade” nonetheless for the others the deck will remain as traffic road in order to respect the existing paths of the city. The communion of the infrastructure within its landscape should be sufficient to establish a first-class quality of life along with a responsible response to the environment.

Sustainability
Layers of high enthalpy
The more we drill deep in the earth’s crust, the more temperature increases. This heat gradient depends much on the area of the sphere considered. The zones where the temperatures are much stronger, called temperatures anomalies, can reach several hundreds degrees for low depths. These anomalies are generally observed in the volcanic areas. In geothermic terms, they indicate layers of high enthalpy, and are used to provide energy. For example the higher temperature of the layer (between 80 °C and 300 °C) allows electrical production.

General principle
The production of electricity and medical warm water comes from geothermal energy. The principle is to inject cold water deep underground where temperature exceeds 200°C. Water is heated by conduction then pulled up the surface where a power station transforms heat into electricity. 45.000m3 Injected water comes from the 10km long high-way surfaces.

Implementation – cost/calendar
We can estimate that building a power station with a potential power production of about 20 at 30 MW thermal, along with an electrical production from 3 to 5 MW can be built in around three or four years, for a budget of about 15 million Euros for a thermo plant, plus 7 million Euros for the transformation into electrical energy.

The installation time
The installation of a power plant does not generate any gas or waste, and the output increases as time goes by because a hot column is formed around the pumping wells and therefore thermal losses is limited.

Production – autonomy of the city – finance
A power plant of 5MW supplies 4000 hearths, and produces medical warm water for the auxiliary heating. The viaduct of Favazzina could accommodate 240 hearths, the whole of the bridges could accommodate 2500 hearths, plus public equipment. Hence we can consider that the town could potentially have complete energy autonomy, with an investment of 22M€ approximately, that is to say approximately 5500€ by hearth and 8,25M€ for the whole of public equipment. This investment can surely be relieved by Europe and of the government institutions eager to promote clean energies.

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

SCHEMATIC VIEWS

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

SCHEMATIC VIEWS

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

SCHEMATIC VIEWS

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

SCHEMATIC VIEWS

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

SCHEMATIC VIEWS

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

SCHEMATIC VIEWS

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

SCHEMATIC VIEWS

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

Axonometry

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

Diagrams

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

Diagrams

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

Program

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

ORIGINAL STRUCTURE

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

Beams

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

Technical installations

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

Slabs

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

Facades

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

Fuente: Parco Solar South in Calabria, Italy

David Chipperfield Architects, in collaboration with Julian Harrap
Few attempts at repair were made after the war, and the structure was left exposed to nature. In 1997, David Chipperfield Architects – in collaboration with Julian Harrap – won the international competition for the rebuilding of the Neues Museum. The key aim of the project was to recomplete the original volume, and encompassed the repair and restoration of the parts that remained after the destruction of the Second World War. The original sequence of rooms was restored with new building sections that create continuity with the existing structure. The archaeological restoration followed the guidelines of the Charter of Venice, respecting the historical structure in its different states of preservation. All the gaps in the existing structure were filled in without competing with the existing structure in terms of brightness and surface. The restoration and repair of the existing is driven by the idea that the original structure should be emphasized in its spatial context and original materiality ‐ the new reflects the lost without imitating it.

The Finalists
The winner of the Prize was selected from a shortlist of six finalists:
• Neues Museum Berlin, Germany
David Chipperfield / David Chipperfield Architects, in collaboration with Julian Harrap

• Bronks Youth Theatre Brussels, Belgium
Martine De Maeseneer, Dirk Van den Brande / MDMA Martine De Maeseneer Architecten

• MAXXI Museum of XXI Century Arts Rome, Italy
Zaha Hadid, Patrick Schumacher, Gianluca Racana / Zaha Hadid Architects

• Concert House Danish Radio Copenhagen, Denmark
Jean Nouvel / Ateliers Jean Nouvel

• Acropolis Museum Athens, Greece
Bernard Tschumi / Bernard Tschumi Architects

• Groot Klimmendaal Rehabilitation Centre Arnhem, The Netherlands
Koen van Velsen / Architectenbureau Koen van Velsen

Emerging Architect Special Mention
Collage House, Girona, Spain | Ramon Bosch, Bet Capdeferro | bosch.capdeferro arquitectures

Located in the historical centre of the city of Girona, this project is composed of a series of dilapidated buildings that had been built over time. From the beginning, the architects realized that the big and old stone shells, which had been designed to establish an optimum relationship in terms of both the place and climate, offered unsurpassable conditions in which to live. Spatially, the relevance of the patios was especially important as centres of gravity for the interior. Slightly irregular geometries were adopted because they were capable of being discreetly enhanced within the original skeleton and the use of a vertical compositional pattern in all the new interventions gave a sense of unity as well as helping to emphasize the height clearance of the different floors of the building. In terms of energy it was only necessary to potentiate the great quality and efficiency of the existing passive systems and with sufficient solar protection in summer and the addition of radiant flooring in winter, the house attains a high grade of thermal comfort. With respect to the materials the house itself provided an extremely valuable heritage in that grilles, mosaics and stones were available for reuse and continuity of the constructional language of the old neighbourhood was reflected by the simple mortar facings and stuccowork.

Project Credits
Client: Private
Construction: Josep Capdeferro, Josep Grau
Construction Company: Capdeferro Constructor
Structural Engineering: Blázquez‐Guanter Arquitectes
Collaborators: Joan Anglada
Web > www.boschcapdeferro.net

Exemplary Works
In addition to the Prize Winners the Jury makes a selection of exemplary architectural works produced for each cycle. This shortlist of works, chose from the 343 projects proposed by the Architects’ Council of Europe (ACE) member associations, other national architectural associations, the group of Experts and the Advisory Committee will be included in the catalogue as well as the travelling exhibition and for this edition, represent an important and unique anthology of the development of contemporary European architecture built during 2009 ‐ 2010.

Fuente: European Union Prize 2011, Neues Museum in Berlin

BIG (DK) + Pirmin Jung Engineers for Wood Constructions (CH) + AOA Anttinen Oiva Architects Ltd (FI) + Vahanen Engineers (FI) + Stora Enso (FI) is the winning team to design a prototype wooden construction system for a pilot project in Kouvola, Finland that will serve as a showcase for the sustainable use of timber construction worldwide.

Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

“BIG’s point of direction was to design an innovative system that can fit any built environment for any type of use. Rather than developing a system based on current market demands, we wanted to make a system so flexible it can embrace as many building typologies and functionalities as possible. Instead of making the most carbon neutral system at present; we develop a system that evolves into the future. This way the system respects the ever increasing key drivers for sustainability while being competitive with other building systems”, Thomas Christoffersen, Partner-in-Charge, BIG. A site with generous views towards public green areas and the city’s river has been specifically selected for this pilot project by the city of Kouvola. The location allows the volume of the proposed building to push from one side to the other side to integrate the park and parking along the development. BIG’s proposal follows the contours of the landscape creating semi-private pockets directly connected to the park while the height of the building is manipulated to peak towards the open areas. The pockets are surrounded by lower housing creating an intimate space where all units are connected to the ground. The areas with the best views have the most floors and the most apartments while all roofs are partially accessed by the penthouse apartments and all units at ground floor have access to private gardens to both sides. “Le Corbusier’s DOMI-NO system was developed to industrialize construction with the new technologies of concrete structures, and improve living conditions for the many. Decades later concrete housing has become synonymous with boxy and boring. By crossbreeding state of the art building technology and wood construction PUU-BO provides endless variability with infinite renewability” Bjarke Ingels, Founder and Partner, BIG. BIG’s E2 proposal combines a variety of housing typologies – from 8-story apartment buildings to low townhouses with a shared courtyard space. Along both sides of the building a pedestrian path connects the private gardens to parking and park. The path blends with the existing network, integrating the building with the park, river and city. Playgrounds, sports fields, and a community sauna in the river are strategically placed in order to activate the site. All activities are available to both the PUU-BO inhabitants as well as the citizens of Kouvola.

About E2 (Ecology + Economy)
The city of Kouvola in cooperation with the Finnish Forest Industries association, the Finnish Forest Foundation, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation SITRA, KSS-Energia Oy and the Regional Council of Kymenlaakso aims at fostering new solutions for industrial production of wooden multi-story buildings through the launch of E2 Timber Development Competition and a future Centre of Competence in Timber Construction, “Wood-Inno”. The concept competition is expected to offer energy efficient solutions which reduce the carbon foot print, and could help Finland to take leadership in the field of timber construction worldwide.

About BIG
BIG, founded in 2005 by Bjarke Ingels, is an architectural office currently involved in a large number of projects throughout Europe, Asia and North America. Based in Copenhagen, Denmark and with a newly opened office in New York, USA the office is led by six Design Partners, including Bjarke Ingels, Andreas Klok Pedersen, Finn Norkjaer, Thomas Christoffersen, Jakob Lange, David Zahle and two Management Associate Partners, Sheela Maini Sogaard and Kai-Uwe Bergmann. BIG’s architecture emerges out of a careful analysis of how contemporary life constantly evolves and changes, not least due to the influence of multicultural exchange, global economic flows and communication technologies that together require new ways of architectural and urban organization.

About Pirmin Jung
PIRMIN JUNG Ingenieure für Holzbau AG is a leading engineering specialist for multiple-storey timber constructions. For the past 15 years, Pirmin has worked closely with designers and architects, creating efficient sustainable and long-lasting wooden solutions worldwide.

More information > www.kouvola.fi/E2 | press@big.dk

Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

Fuente: Big Wins the International E2 Timber Competition in Finland

Civic Trust Award 2011 for the Darwin Centre

Civic Trust Award 2011 for the Darwin Centre

The Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum in London, designed by C. F. Møller Architects, has been announced winner of the prestigious 2011 Civic Trust Award. The Civic Trust Awards scheme was established in 1959 to recognise the very best in architecture, design, planning, landscape and public art. Awards are given to projects of the highest quality design, but only if they are judged to have made a positive cultural, social or economic contribution to the local community.

The jury commented on the awarding of the Darwin Centre:
“This stunning modern building is an important new addition to The Natural History Museum, bringing people closer than ever before to the important scientific work it carries out by revealing the scientists at work. The contemporary extension offers visitors greater insight into the full spectrum of the museum’s activities. The ‘Cocoon’ at the centre of the design is a beautiful and mysterious object, captured within a spacious glass atrium and the Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity and the Attenborough Studio inspire a new generation of scientists with their amazingly energetic and helpful staff. The new Darwin Centre makes an enormously positive and extremely elegant contribution to communities far beyond South Kensington, and is a fitting building to inspire scientists of every age.”

C. F. Møller Architects was chosen for the commission in 2001, in competition with 59 other international architectural firms. The Darwin Centre was inaugurated in late 2009, and has won a number of awards for its spectacular and unusual architecture.

Fuente: Civic Trust Award 2011 for the Darwin Centre

Thousands of words have been written about the influence of the current economical crisis in the construction business. However, we think that this fact has accelerated the birth of a new architectural thinking that applied to the architecture production will generate intelligent and substantial ideas, and leave behind the sensationalistic architecture of quick consumption.

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

We are aware of the large influence that economy has in architecture and we believe more than ever that strategies, rather than shapes, are the only valid answers to today’s demands. In our careers as architects, the competition for the Mirador del Palmeral has been the first chance to create an emblem for the city where the landscape plays a crucial role and where the admiration of it is the reason-to-be of this icon. This fact rises the challenge: How to design an icon that should deviate the attention into something else? Besides this fact, this cultural landscape has been declared UNESCO World heritage since 2000, so the intervention has to be sensitive to the criterias dictated by UNESCO. Moreover, in this period of financial collapse and extreme preoccupation for sustainability, it would be and hypocrisy to close the eyes and produce another icon like all the previous ones. Lets take this chance to rethink deeply, to focus our intelligence in a strategy rather than in the egocentric and frozen architecture (=icon) so characteristic from the last years. Why should we put all the weight in an obsolete architectonic element with a limited “iconic” life?

Without denying the representative character of this program, we propose an a-temporal emblem, intelligent and flexible; capable of fulfilling all the requirements and able to recover its investment in less than three years. We need an imaginative solution. The City budget is 10 mill €. We propose a wheel for Elche. The wheel is resistant to fashion, style, and time. The wheel is an intelligent and rational structure; representative and beautiful, powerful and transparent. The Wheel is the perfect union between FORM and FUNCTION. The Wheel is a strategy. The Wheel is a rational icon, a sustainable icon, a narrative icon, an unlimited icon, a pure icon, the Rethought icon. Trying to explode the full potential of the intervention, we propose three scenarios with different levels of investment. From the initial mirador complex to a common building mirador-station with a connection to the train platforms and underground parking. The Mirador and the Palmeral will be the welcome image of the city.

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

Fuente: Elche’s Wheel, the most sustainable strategy

BIG + realities: united AKT + + Topotek 1 & Man Made Land fueron seleccionados para diseñar la “Waste-to-Energy Plant”. Al respecto, Bjarke Ingels plantea: “La nueva planta es un ejemplo de lo que en BIG llamamos “Hedonistic Sustainability”, la idea de que la sostenibilidad no es una carga, sino que una ciudad sostenible, de hecho, puede mejorar nuestra calidad de vida. Una planta de residuos con una pista de esquí son el mejor ejemplo de una ciudad y un edificio que son a la vez ecológica, económica y socialmente sostenibles.

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

BIG + realities:united + AKT + Topotek 1 & Man Made Land is selected to design the new Waste-to-Energy Plant that doubles as a ski slope for Copenhagen’s citizens and its many visitors by 2016. Located in an industrial area near the city center the new Waste-to-Energy plant will be an exemplary model in the field of waste management and energy production, as well as an architectural landmark in the cityscape of Copenhagen.

The project is the single largest environmental initiative in Denmark with a budget of 3,5 Billion DKK, and replaces the adjacent 40 year old Amagerforbraending plant, integrating the latest technologies in waste treatment and environmental performance. The shortlisted offices included Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Dominique Perrault Architecture, 3xN, Lundgaard & Tranberg Architects & Gottlieb Paludan Architects who were selected to compete out of 36 international proposals in Fall 2010. The winning team is announced by an unanimous judge panel. ”BIG’s proposal contributes to the city with something useful and beautiful. We see this creating a lot of opportunities and with this unique building, we can brand the Danish knowledge and technology to show the world our abilities within environmental and energy issues”, Ulla Röttger, Director of Amagerforbraending. Instead of considering the new Amagerforbraending as an isolated architectural object, the building is conceived as a destination in itself and reflects the progressive vision for a new type of waste treatment facility. The roof of the new Amagerforbraending is turned into a 31.000 m2 ski slope of varying skill levels for the citizens of Copenhagen, its neighboring municipalities and visitors, mobilizing the architecture and redefining the relationship between the waste plant and the city by expanding the existing recreational activities in the surrounding area into a new breed of waste-to-energy plant.

“The new plant is an example of what we at BIG call Hedonistic Sustainability – the idea that sustainability is not a burden, but that a sustainable city in fact can improve our quality of life. The Waste-to-Energy plant with a ski slope is the best example of a city and a building which is both ecologically, economically and socially sustainable”, Bjarke Ingels Founder and Partner, BIG. The slope is ecological using a recycled synthetic granular, upending the convention of the energy intensive indoor ski resort. Access to the slopes is via an elevator along the plant’s smokestack providing views into the plant, giving glimpses of its internal workings finally reaching an observation platform 100m above giving sightseers an unobstructed view from one of the tallest structures in Copenhagen. All of this while the smokestack is modified to puff smoke rings of 30m in diameter whenever 1 ton of fossil CO2 is released. These smoke rings which are the brainchild of Germany-based art studio realities:united will form due to the condensation of water in the flue gases as they as they slowly rise and cool, serving as a gentle reminder of the impact of consumption and a measuring stick that will allow the common Copenhagener to grasp the CO2 emission in a straightforward way – turning the smokestack traditionally the symbol of the industrial era into a symbol for the future. At night, heat tracking lights are used to position lasers on the smoke rings into glowing artworks.

“Designing a façade for a building is like wrapping a gift without having to consider its content. Instead of concentrating on the wrapping paper we have instead invested our energy on creating a gift for the citizens of Copenhagen & its visitors no matter if they are adults or children, professionals or beginners. I can’t wait to ski on a base of clean and green energy with a view over the city in 2016”, David Zahle, Partner, BIG. From a distance, the entire building is wrapped in a vertical green façade formed by planter modules stacked like bricks turning it into a mountain from afar. The surrounding topography is sculpted by Topotek 1 & Man Made Land to form a park which offers informal sport activities in summer and winter. Along its western border a field of hills will mimic a mogul piste. A path system throughout the park interconnects the whole site and creates good connections to the neighboring residential area.

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

Fuente: BIG wins the International Competition to design a new waste to Energy Plant

Proyectar el Museo la Segunda Guerra Mundial en Gdansk exigió analizar complejos temas durante el proceso de diseño, así como su interacción con el medio ambiente y su complicada funcionalidad. Queríamos que la arquitectura fuera una delicada sugerencia en lugar de una fuerte cita de la tragedia de la guerra. La decisión que tomamos fue dejar la mayor parte del sitio como un espacio público abierto, por lo que una parte de la exposición se instaló bajo nivel. Esa parte subterránea del museo es un camino por el infierno de la guerra, una experiencia de viaje en el tiempo. La “vuelta a la realidad”, comienza a nivel del suelo y en el espacio público que rodea el museo, un lugar para reflexionar. Pero ese no es el fin, el pasado es un creador del futuro, de manera que el espectador sube a la torre a la parte superior, ve una ciudad de viejos y jóvenes de Gdansk, ve la esperanza y la libertad.

Museum of The World War II in Gdansk, Poland

Museum of The World War II in Gdansk, Poland

Museum of The World War II in Gdansk, Poland

Museum of The World War II in Gdansk, Poland

Entering the Museum of The World War II competition in Gdansk we were fully aware of the problems that may occur during the design process as well as its interaction with the environment and very complicated functionality.

To fit in the historic part of the city, and creating a form that may become it’s icon at the same time, we had to make a compromise between its forma and monumentality, being careful with its impudence and aggressiveness. We wanted the architecture to be a delicate suggestion rather than strong quotation for the World War II tragedy. That is how the idea of dynamic, expressive form had been brought to live, tearing apart the symbolic and dramatic shell covering the world, created by the war. The design of the form is to be undefined by one literally meaning. It may be discovered in many ways by each and every individual viewer.

Following the design process , we have agreed to leave most of the site as an open public space, so we moved some part of an exhibition underground. Entering the subterranean levels is to be a mood setting process. Starting from being unconcern and full of everyday thoughts, to be hanged in the balance and clear minded, to finally fell the horror, frightens and even pain by a strong relation with the exhibition. The underground part of the museum is a path through hell of war, a time travel experience. The “back to reality” begins with the ground level and the public space surrounding the museum, the place to think, to gather the experience from the underground. But that’s not the end, the past is a creator of the future, so as the viewer climbs the tower to the very top, he sees hope and freedom, he sees an old and young town of Gdansk. He sees it having thoughts of the past he had just experienced.

Museum of The World War II in Gdansk, Poland

Museum of The World War II in Gdansk, Poland

Museum of The World War II in Gdansk, Poland

Museum of The World War II in Gdansk, Poland

Museum of The World War II in Gdansk, Poland

Museum of The World War II in Gdansk, Poland

Museum of The World War II in Gdansk, Poland

Museum of The World War II in Gdansk, Poland

Museum of The World War II in Gdansk, Poland

Museum of The World War II in Gdansk, Poland

Fuente: Museum of The World War II in Gdansk, Poland

Construction (or commercial production in the case of materials, products and construction technologies) must not have started before July 1, 2010. In addition, the Holcim Awards seeks visions and ideas for the “Next Generation” category, open to student projects created within university programs at final year bachelor level or above (including master’s and PhD). Submissions in both categories are evaluated by independent juries, using five “target issues” to define sustainable construction. Three of these align with the triple bottom line concept of balanced social, environmental and economic performance. The rest cover contextual and aesthetic impact, and innovation and transferability. For further details see: www.holcimawards.org/target

The juries in the five competition regions include experts in sustainable construction, such as Angelo Bucci (Brazil), Raymond J. Cole (Canada), Wowo Ding (China), Harry Gugger (Switzerland), Bjarke Ingels (Denmark), Sheila Kennedy (USA), Ashok B. Lall (India), Winy Maas (Netherlands), Jürgen Mayer H. (Germany), Mohsen Mostafavi (USA), Amer Moustafa (UAE), Lucy Musgrave (UK), Olivia la O’ Castillo (Philippines), Joe Osae-Addo (Ghana), Michel Rojkind (Mexico), Hashim Sarkis (Lebanon), Bruno Stagno (Costa Rica), Gunawan Tjahjono (Indonesia).

The Awards are an initiative of the Swiss-based Holcim Foundation for Sustainable Construction. Entries must be submitted online at www.holcimawards.org by March 23, 2011.

Fuente: The Holcim Awards

Born in Copenhagen, Bjarke Ingels was educated in architecture at the Royal Academy in Copenhagen and the Technica Superior de Arquitectura in Barcelona, receiving his diploma in 1998. As a third year student he set up his first practice and won his first competition. From 1998-2001 he worked for Office of Metropolitan Architecture and Rem Koolhaas in Rotterdam. His original intent was to illustrate cartoons, but architecture became his fascination and now he tries to achieve a balance between playful and practical approaches to design. In 2001, Bjarke Ingels returned to Copenhagen to set up the architectural practice PLOT together with Belgian OMA colleague Julien de Smedt. The company rapidly achieved success, receiving significant national and international attention for their inventive designs. They were awarded a Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture in 2004 for a proposal for a new music house for Stavanger, Norway. ““There had been nothing going on in the Danish architecture scene for a really long time. It was an established myth that it was impossible to change things and impossible to start an office,’ Mr. Ingels stated. Their first major achievement was the award-winning VM Houses in Ørestad, Copenhagen, in 2005. Despite its success, PLOT was disbanded in January 2006 and Mr. Ingels formed a new firm, while his former partner founded JDS/Julien De Smedt Architects. In 2008, both architects were named “Europe 40 under 40” by The European Centre as two of Europe’s new and emerging new voices in contemporary architecture. As his firm’s name implies, Bjarke Ingels thinks BIG. As the founder of BIG, the Bjarke Ingels Group, he has smashed Denmark’s dull and lifeless architectural scene and shattered the conventional molds of building typologies. He’s an architect, yes, but he describes his role as more appropriately as a “midwife” of a continuous rebirth of the city rather than the actual “creator” and as an “alchemist” who combines seemingly incongruous ideas to create architectural gold. The VM House had an immediate signature and an ominous profile as something brewing in Denmark. Next came Mountain Dwellings in Copenhagen (2008): a project consisting of 80 apartments terraced above a multi-story cark park for 480 cars. The apartments were arranged on a sloping “hillside” above the garage and combined the splendor of suburban backyard living with the society intensity of the usual center city density. The roof garden became an instant model for success of progressive sustainability and Green Architecture. “The Mountain was our first example of what I call ‘architectural alchemy,’ states Mr. Ingels, “this idea that by mixing traditional ingredients like normal flats and a normal parking structure, when you combine them, they become gold. That idea was taken to the next level with a project we’re working on called the Big House or the Figure Eight, where we mixed the office components and rowhouse components to create a hybrid.” In 2009, Mountain Dwellings won an International Architecture Award from The Chicago Athenaeum.

‘LESS’ is really a BORE
“In the 1960s,” states Mr. Narkiewicz-Laine, “Ludwig Mies van der Rohe proclaimed: ‘Less is More,’ and a whole generation of uninspired and uninspiring architects fell into line to wreck havoc on the rest of the world, creating the cheapest, most dismal architecture, mainly bland corporate boxes, and ‘remodeled’ treeless and artless urban environments into what looked as friendly as the moon. For four decades, in the name of Orthodox modernism à la Mies van der Rohe, architects stacked the poor in helpless boxes called ‘social housing’ from New York to Sao Paolo; destroyed forever centuries of the best world architecture and cities; and created a Brave New World architecture and urban design that would make even Albert Speer cringe.” “It has taken a brave, young Danish architect, continues Mr. Narkiewicz-Laine, “to step up to the plate to make us come to our contemporary senses to stop the process of boring the pubic and to embrace an architecture that allows you to say yes to all aspects of human life—no matter how contradicting.” Bjarke Ingels argues for an architecture that experiments program, site, and context in the design process, following what he calls “a Darwinian path to get ot the most workable solution.” Nowhere is this more evident than in the iconic People’s Building now designed for Shanghai—a tower that splits into two at the bottom. The project started for a competition for a hotel in northern Sweden but lost and then caught the attention of a Chinese businessman who wanted closer ties to a Scandinavian office. The building is in a sense, an “anti-skyscraper,” in that the shaft of the building is deliberately reduced and the base opens to engulf the building’s footprint creating a large-scale “front door,” which is missing from traditional highrise towers. The parti is bold, joyful, playful, unbrittled, and intensely romantic. It definitely doesn’t belong in Sweden.

The 8 House (2010), a 540-unit, mixed-use complex in the shape of an angular double-loop, is organized around a bow in the shape of an “8,” and mixed with commerce and community facilities. The figure “8” arrives by manipulating the lack-luster housing typology most often found in Copenhagen. However, the building’s most appealing tour de force is way the extraordinary moss sedum roofs have become a part of the buildings aesthetic as they slope down 11 stories toward the canal edge. “Engineering without engines, “ he calls it. He believes we should use contemporary technology and computation capacity to make buildings independent of machinery. He believes rightly that building services today are essentially mechanical compensations for the fact that buildings are bad for what they are designed for—human life. Therefore we pump air around, illuminate dark spaces with electric lights, and heat and cool the spaces in order to make them livable. The result is boring boxes with big energy bills. “If we moved the qualities out of the machine room and back into architecture’s inherent attributes, we’d make more interesting buildings and more sustainable cities,” states the architect.

A Pragmatic Utopian Architecture
“Changing the world and they way the world thinks is a bold initiative. Vision and vitality are really an understatement here,” continues Mr. Narkiewicz-Laine. “This young architect really believes in what he is doing and has a mission that is no less intense”. “Historically, continues the architect, “the field of architecture has been dominated by two opposing extremes. On one side an avant-garde full of crazy ideas. Originating from philosophy, mysticism or a fascination of the formal potential of computer visualizations they are often so detached from reality that they fail to become something other than eccentric curiosities. On the other side there are well-organized corporate consultants that build predictable and boring boxes of high standard. Architecture seems to be entrenched in two equally unfertile fronts: either naively utopian or petrifyingly pragmatic. We believe that there is a third way wedged in the no-mans-land between the diametrical opposites. Or in the small but very fertile overlap between the two. A pragmatic utopian architecture that takes on the creation of socially, economically and environmentally perfect places as a practical objective.” “Put architecture on the public-school curriculum,” Mr. Ingels has stated. “Somehow kids are taught music, art, literature, and sciences, but nobody thought of giving them a basic understanding of how our cities have evolved. Understanding precedes action. If we don’t understand, how can we ever intervene?” In Mr. Ingels’ work, one could substitute “wild” for “workable” for some of the schemes the firm has on its boards in far-flung locations, including Shenzhen and Shanghai in China; Astana, Kazakhstan; a museum overlooking Mexico City, and Zira Island, Azerbaijan, which is designed to be carbon neutral resort city and which recently won a 2010 Green GOOD DESIGN Award from The Chicago Athenaeum.

Alongside his architectural practice, Mr. Ingels has been active as a Visiting Professor at Rice University’s School of Architecture and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. He is currently visiting professor at Harvard University where he is teaching a joint studio with the Business School and the Graduate School of Design. He is also teaching a studio, “Engineering Without Engines,” at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, researching ways of responding to differing climates that don’t depend on machines. He has initiated another new venture in product design with the release of The Expo Chair by KiBiSi (Kilo Design + BIG + Skibsted Ideation), a new, joint design firm. After Madrid, an exhibition on Bjarke Ingels is scheduled for Contemporary Space Athens in April 2011 and then traveling to Istanbul and throughout Europe as a public education program.

More information >> www.europeanarch.eu

Fuente: Bjarke Ingels receives the European Prize of Architecture

BIO 22, Biennal of Industrial Design + Awards Winners

BIO 22 award-winners and Jury Report
Before the opening of BIO 22, all the selected and exhibited works are once again subjected to the expert scrutiny of a prestigious international jury. Vivian Cheng Wai Kwan (Hong Kong), Luigi Ferrara (Canada), Malcolm Garrett (United Kingdom), Peter Krečič (Slovenia) and Sanna Simola selected the best of the exhibited works and at the opening of the exhibition confered the BIO Design Awards – BIO Gold Medals, Honourable Mentions, Quality Concept Awards and the Award for a Student Work. These awards represent an important international design accolade.

BIO Gold Medal (2009)
Pipistrel Taurus Electro self-launching two-seat glider with retractable electric motor
Design: Ivo Boscarol and team, Ajdovščina, Slovenia
Producer: client Pipistrel, d. o. o. Ajdovščina, Ajdovščina, Slovenia
We chose the sleek, innovative glider because of its supreme beauty and the advanced technologies that are found beneath the surface. This is a design where form truly follows function in the most aesthetically pleasing way. The plane is sublimely attractive, yet its innovations are understated. Its seductive form invites you to touch its surface and awakens the desire to fly. It’s not surprising that the jury jokingly referred to it as “the iPlane”.

BIO Gold Medal (2008)
Sky Planter inverted plant pot
Designer: Patrick Morris, Boskke, Wellington, New Zealand
Producer: Boskke, Wellington, New Zealand
A design that is truly revolutionary. It literally turns the plant pot upside down and makes you rethink your preconceptions about how to grow plants.

BIO Gold Medal (2008)
Logomap and premiere posters for the City Theatre in Žilina
Designer: Emil Drličiak, Žilina, Slovakia, Co-author for logo Pavel Choma
Production: Ateliér Choma, Žilina, Slovakia
Client: Mestské divadlo Žilina, Žilina, Slovakia
This innovative suite of branding tools allows for the exploration of graphic variety while maintaining a cohesive identity. It is particularly appropriate for a theatre, as the identity is like a backdrop for the shifting activity on the stage while the individual components are like the cast in a play.

BIO Honourable Mention (2010)
Twinline 2 bathtub and shower stall
Design: GP Designpartners GmbH, Vienna, Austria, Co-authors Christoph Pauschitz, Christian Rukower
Producer: client Artweger GmbH & Co. KG, Bad Ischl, Austria
While the jury debated the merits of this multifunctional, hybrid bath/shower, they appreciated the flexibility and convenience the product could provide to a family with diverse bathing requirements – from children, to teens, to the frail and elderly.

BIO Honourable Mention (2008)
Piano light
Design: QisDesign, Taipei, Taiwan
Producer: client QisDesign, Taipei, Taiwan
This surprisingly tactile object engages you in a play of light by allowing you to customize your environment with regard to how much light is emitted and from where. The satisfying feeling when playing the light “keys” cannot be adequately captured in words.

BIO Honourable Mention (2008)
Àlpico ice axe
Design: Soluzioninventive, Merate, Italy
Producer: Climbing Technology, Cisano Bergamasco, Italy
This mountain climbing accessory is both lightweight and collapsible while being surprisingly strong and effective. It demonstrates an innovative, and necessary, rethinking of a basic traditional product.

BIO Honourable Mention (2010)
Alpina Promise cross-country ski boots
Design: Jure Miklavc, Jože Carli, Studio Jure Miklavc, Škofja Loka, Slovenia
Producer: client Alpina, d. o. o., Žiri, Slovenia
The understated design of these well-crafted cross-country ski boots are a welcome contrast to the “sports style” industry standard. Their engineering, which uses natural and recycled materials, and their biodegradable construction makes for an honest, traditional appeal.

BIO Honourable Mention (2010)
Orca sofa–resting chair
Designer: Ernest Nograšek, Quadrat Design, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Producer: client Tom, d. d., Mokronog, Slovenia
This simple sofa can be used in a number of ways, allowing you to sit, lounge or sleep on it. The jury was especially impressed that the flexibility of the design was equally effective in each of its different incarnations.

BIO Honourable Mention (2009)
Hackman Flirt pitcher and glass mugs for hot beverages
Design Pentagon Design Ltd., Helsinki, Finland
Producer, client Fiskars Home – Hackman Brand, Helsinki, Finland
This is a simple, attractive, and practical solution for serving hot and cold drinks. The separate components provide efficient thermic isolation, allowing the transfer of liquids from fridge or stove directly to the table. Avoiding the use of composite materials ensures maximum durability and recyclability.

BIO Honourable Mention (2009)
Packaging for Tatratea spirits
Designers Juraj Demovič, Livia Lorinczova, Pergamen Trnava, s. r. o., Trnava, Slovakia
Co-authors Jan Semanak, Karloff, s. r. o.; Jakub Dvořák, Pergamen Trnava, s. r. o.
Production Slavomir Kalisz, Dekorglass Działdowo S. A., Działdowo, Poland
Client Karloff, s. r. o., Kežmarok, Slovakia
This is packaging that makes you want to sample the contents. With its distinctive shape, intense colour, the texture of the bottle, and visual variety across the range, the packaging is as seductive and intoxicating as the contents.

BIO Honourable Mention (2009)
Packaging for Gogo nutritional supplements
Designers Tomato Košir, Dušan Grobovšek, Kranj, Slovenia
Typeface adviser Lucijan Bratuš, TipoBrda, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Print Gorenjski tisk, d. d., Kranj, Slovenia
Producer, client Fidimed, d. o. o., Trzin, Slovenia
This bold, clear packaging design is practical and easy to understand. The unique box closure snaps shut with a reassuring firmness appropriate to its content.

BIO Honourable Mention (2009)
Labels for Kos wines
Designer Vanja Cuculić, Studio Cuculić, Zagreb, Croatia
Print Etikgraf, d. o. o., Sveti Petar u Šumi, Croatia
Client Željko Kos, Kos Wines, Donja Zelina, Croatia
This elegant series of wine labels provides consistent branding, but with playful variations in the designs for different types of wine.

BIO Honourable Mention (2010)
Corporate visual identity for Matjaž Čuk
Designer Matjaž Čuk, Notranje Gorice, Slovenia
Print R-tisk, Boštjan Rihar, s. p., Ljubljana, Slovenia
Client Matjaž Čuk, Notranje Gorice, Slovenia
This low-tech, universal design solution, with all of a young designer’s stationery requirements on a single sheet, was admired, despite some challenges in material economy.

Award for a Student Work (2009)
TFP 1 Prague tram redesign
Designer Anna Marešová, Prague, Czech Republic
Tutor Jan Tuček; Faculty of Arts, Design and Technology, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom; Faculty of Art and Design, J. E. Purkyně University, Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic
This student design shows maturity and considered study more typical of a professional practice. The focus is on the design for travel rather than on the design of a tram. In referring to the heritage of earlier designs for trams in Prague, it thus draws upon local precedent, resulting in a modern design that fits into the historic context of the city.

BIO Quality Concept Award (2008)
Orientation & Identity – monograph
Designers Ervin K. Bauer, Bauer – Konzept & Gestaltung; Dieter Mayer, Struktiv, Vienna, Austria
This book for a research project is an extremely well-designed and beautifully executed piece of sophisticated publishing with high production values.

BIO Quality Concept Award (2010)
Airbath bathtub and shower for people with disabilities
Designer David Rajchl, Rychnov nad Kněžnou, Czech Republic
Tutor Miroslav Zvonek, Institute of Machine and Industrial Design, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic.
This intriguing concept for an inflatable, accessible bath design demonstrates creative rethinking about how the needs of disabled people can be accommodated.

BIO Quality Concept Award (2009)
Brick-Stainable brick transformation
Designers Aimilios Michael, Maria Eftychi, Nicosia, Cyprus
This concept for a sustainable and variegated construction block allows for the mitigation of the climate throughout the façade of a building while creating aesthetically pleasing patterns for the building’s exterior.

BIO Quality Concept Award (2010)
Bubble basket
Designers Jana Mršnik, Vesna Štih, BelaBela, Ljubljana, Slovenia
This modern reinterpretation of the craft tradition allows people to create their own personalized products through a modular plastic 2-D pattern sheet that can be reconfigured into 3-D shapes.

BIO Quality Concept Award (2009)
Birdhouse
Designer Metod Burgar, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Slovenia
Tutor Vladimir Pezdirc, Academy of Fine Arts and Design, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Client Design for Fair Trade – Edirisa, Kabale, Uganda
This birdhouse design, developed as a social enterprise for Ugandan fair-trade producers, creates a new opportunity for traditional craft.

BIO Quality Concept Award (2010)
Ventus collapsible wind turbine
Designer Sergej Kuckir, Týniště nad Orlicí, Czech Republic
Tutor Alexius Appl, Faculty of Art and Design, J. E. Purkyně University, Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic
While we were unsure about the real effectiveness of the solution, the concept of a portable lightweight wind turbine that could provide energy when camping captured our interest.

BIO Quality Concept Award (2009)
Zip lighting fixture
Designer Anton Zetocha, Hamuliakovo, Slovakia
Tutor Peter Paliatka, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
This design uses a simple metaphor to create a clever and playful interaction between user and object.