Contractworld.award has named the winners of its architectural prize for European firms. First place in the hotel category went to the office of Oskar Leo Kaufmann for their Alpine hotel Ammerwald, which is located 3,600 feet above the bottom of a narrow valley in Tirol, Austria. The façade is made of resilient materials suited to the climate and the location, while warm, natural materials are used for the interior. The judges’ assessment: “This project makes an outstanding overall impression: the simplicity of the materials, the outstanding realization and attention to detail all contribute to the striking appeal of the building.”
The winner of the first prize in the office category is Wiel Arets Architects from the Netherlands. Their winning entry was the V-Tower project, which is part of the Eindhoven industrial park. The slim-lined, 13-story building is admired for its dramatic geometric lines. The visual impact of the interior is enhanced by outstanding views looking out from all sides. According to the judges, “the interior of the office building has a pleasing and positive effect which complements the attractive impact of the building on its urban setting.”
The project “Aesop Stores,” designed by the office March Studio in Australia, won first prize in the category “Shop.” Aesop is a skincare company based in Melbourne. The architects designed three original stores, each ideally suited to their regional context but equally appropriate for a company currently enjoying worldwide growth. The architects opted for locally sourced building materials, favoring potentially recyclable materials at all times. The most eye-catching feature of the Adelaide store is a ceiling made from 7,500 amber-colored bottles. The judges: “The Aesop stores are exemplary for the way in which they embody and convey the corporate identity of the company.”
First prize in the competition category “Conversion” was awarded to the VYÅÂ EHRAD atelier located in the Czech Republic for its project “Atrium D.” The inner courtyard of Prague’s Technical University remained unused for many years before the architects transformed the space, covering it with a roof to create a multifunctional two-story hall with an industrial character. The jury’s comments: “What was once a redundant space is now an area of central importance to the university-it stimulates interaction between the students and is a crucible for creative ideas.”
Four special awards for avant garde projects went exclusively to “New Generation” architects and interior designers (up to the age of 40). The winners were selected on the basis of live presentations, which finalists hold in front of the panel during contractworld.
