Four awards were made from ten shortlisted projects. The outright winner was Platform of Arts and Creativity, Guimarães, Portugal designed by Pitágoras Aquitectos. This regeneration of the ancient centre of one of Portugals most historically important cities is defined by unifying abstract cubic forms, veiled by a grid of brass profiles that dematerialises the buildings mass, adding an extra, translucent dimension.
The design is a confident response to the challenges of working within a UNESCO
and City of Culture site. Pulling together a diversity of old buildings, the regeneration gives a new civic heart to the city looking to the future as well as the past. The design takes a clever, fresh approach and, of all the entries, this is the one that all the judges most want to visit and explore.
Three commendations followed. Designed by JKMM Architects, Seinäjoki City Library, Finland, is an assertive but respectful copper-clad, thoroughly contemporary addition to the most extensive cluster of Alvar Aalto buildings in the world. The massive, pristine white frames to openings work well in counterpoint to the rustic feel of the naturally- weathering, pre-oxidised copper of the external skin.
The judges recognised how the building sits comfortably amongst its illustrious neighbours while retaining its individuality a real achievement.
NOBEL arkitekters Covering of the Runic Stones in Jelling, Denmark, comprises deceptively simple, bronze and glass structures, protecting nationally important ancient stones. In this deceptively simple design, everything has been cleverly reduced down to a pure beauty. The interventions to this ancient site can be seen as a pair of perfectly crafted jewel boxes of real quality, substantially enhancing the visitors experience of the runic stones that they so carefully
but discreetly protect.
With Plasma Studios Dolomitenblick apartment building
in Sexten, Italy, copper and timber define the sculpted mass growing out of the natural Alpine topography and reflecting traditional roof forms, redefining the local vernacular. The judges were impressed by the projects effortless display of its strong sense of form and context. The rigorous use of copper and timber, both inside and out, set this building apart as one designed and completed with real conviction.
This years judging panel consisted of four architects all recipients of previous Copper in Architecture Awards: Einar Jarmund (Jarmund/Vigsnæs, Norway); Craig Casci (Grid Architects, UK); Davide Macullo (Davide Macullo Architects, Switzerland); Anu Puustinen (Avanto Architects, Finland). More information and images of all 82 entries, can be viewed at: copperconcept.org/awards.
Leading UK acoustic systems manufacturer Hush Acoustics has introduced two additional variants of its Hushlay Soundmatting product.
Posted in Acoustics, Noise & Vibration Control, Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Facility Management & Building Services, Floors, Innovations & New Products, Insulation, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & RenovationThe programme at Digital Construction Week is carefully designed to help you keep up with the fast pace of innovation in the built environment.
Posted in Articles, Building Industry Events, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Services, Exhibitions and Conferences, Innovations & New Products, news, Posts, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Seminars, Sustainability & Energy EfficiencyThe UK-wide Steel Window Association members are the established, proven experts in the renovation and sympathetic refurbishment of steel windows and doors in both domestic and commercial premises.
Posted in Architectural Ironmongery, Articles, Building Associations & Institutes, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Systems, Doors, Glass, Glazing, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Steel and Structural Frames, WindowsThe Rooflight Association has published a series of ‘Quickguides’, covering the fire rating requirements for use of rooflights in buildings for each of the four devolved UK nations.
Posted in Articles, Building Associations & Institutes, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Regulations & Accreditations, Building Services, Ceilings, Health & Safety, Innovations & New Products, Lighting, Publications, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Roofs, Security and Fire Protection, Walls, Windows