PART 1 - Building an Era of Excellence

The World Architecture Festival was held between the 2nd and 4th of November 2011 at Barcelona. This year's edition saw a whopping representation from 65 countries with over 700 competing entries.

In the 1st of a 3 Part Series, Glazette unveils the winners who have architected history with their landmark creations.

AWARD WINNERS

World Building of the Year
Media – ICT, Barcelona, Spain

The Media – ICT, essentially an office building, has won The World Building of the Year. Designed by Cloud 9/Enric Ruiz-Geli, it stands as a towering example of long-term sustainability, performance efficiency, reduced CO2 emissions and energy optimization. ETFE cushions inflate with nitrogen during very hot weather, providing an extra façade layer. Luminous paint, inspired by jellyfish, replaces night-time electric lighting. The parametric design minimizes non-usable space while the structural and services design is based on complex distributed patterns rather than centralized systems.

Image Courtesy : Luis Ros, Cloud Nine

Future Project of the Year
Hanimaadhoo International Airport, Maldives

The Hanimaadhoo International Airport is touted to be one of the most energy efficient and environmentally sustainable terminals in the world, thanks to its ecologically sensitive design. It is designed by Integrated Design Associates Limited, Hong Kong and developed by GMR Airport Developers Ltd., India. The proposed airport will be built entirely on stilts on water to preserve the existing eco-system and the natural coastline. The shell-form roof is made of timber lattice to allow natural lighting. The building also has 50% of its area outdoor on decking for passengers to witness the rich marine life at sea level. The natural ventilation, efficacy of solar shading and hydro cooling almost does away the need for air-conditioning.

Structural Design of the Year
Beekman Tower, New York, USA

Designed by world-famous architect Frank Gehry, Beekman Towers is New York's tallest residential building. Standing 867 ft. tall with 76 storeys, it offers offers 903 high-end residential units, luxury amenities and unobstructed 360 degree panoramic views. It is seated above a 100 foot tall, 6-story podium that comprises a new 100,000 SF public school as well as a 21,000 SF ambulatory care center for New York Downtown Hospital. The sculptural façade consists of stainless steel and glass panels that seem to give fluidity to the building. What is also remarkable about Beekman Towers is its pace of construction and completion, having started in April 2008 and topping out in November 2009.

People’s Choice
Memorial House Todor Proeski, Macedonia

The memorial is a tribute to Tose Proeski, the 26-year old iconic Macedonian singer who lost his life in a car accident 4 years ago. A goodwill ambassador to the UNICEF, the Macedonian Government named an honorary citizen for Proeski’s contribution to arts and humanitarian causes. In terms of responsible architecture, the memorial has a comprehensive Building Management System to control and monitor heating, ventilation and lighting. The building design incorporated Low E Glass, and natural ventilation is optimized through operable windows on the glass roof. Throughout the design, energy efficient light sources are used to maximum effect.

Image Courtesy : Tomislav Georgiev

Category Winners for Completed Buildings
HOLIDAY : Raas Jodhpur, Jodhpur, India

India’s architectural splendor comes alive in this luxury boutique hotel located at Jodhpur. It features 17th & 18th century period structures restored using traditional crafts & materials. Aesthetic appeal aside, the hotel stands testimony to sustainable, eco-friendly architecture. The new buildings are designed as double skinned structures, with the outer skin being a “breathing” stone lattice wall that keeps out heat and a deep recessed inner skin of glass. It uses Variable Refrigerant Volume based air-conditioning, one of the greenest technologies available. Solar heating, rainwater harvesting and wastewater regeneration are just a few other responsible initiatives that the hotel incorporates.

Image Courtesy : Andre Fanthome

CIVIC & COMMUNITY : Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, Springdale, USA

An existing metal shop transformed into a sanctuary and fellowship hall is what is The Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church. At the East end, the ceiling is carved away to make provision for a 30 foot wide pane of translucent glass which lights up the Sunday morning service.

Image Courtesy : Timothy Hursley

CULTURE : Shima Kitchen, Tokyo, Japan

Shima Kitchen was renovated from an old vacant house in a village on a rural island, to create a venue for arts and dining. The house was metamorphosised into an open style kitchen, the warehouse was refitted as an art gallery, and a sunshade awning was extended around the trees to create an outdoor theatre. Working with existing structures, traditional methods and simple materials, an intimate village gathering place was created to bring a sense of belongingness with Mother Nature.

Image Courtesy : Architects Atelier Ryo Abe

DISPLAY : Norwegian Wild Reindeer Center Pavilion, Norway

Dovrefjell is a mountain range that is home to the Europe’s last wild reindeer herds and is the natural habitat for many rare plants and animals. Located 1200 meters above sea level, the 90m2 building is an observation pavilion for the Wild Reindeer Foundation educational programmes.

The building design is based on a rigid outer shell and an organic inner core, blending natural materials as well as advanced technologies.

Image Courtesy : Klaas Van Ommeren

HEALTH : Rehabilitation Centre Groot Klimmendaal, Netherlands

Amidst the scenic forests of Eastern Netherlands, a 14000 sqm building fuses completely with its natural surroundings. The compact design allows for energy reduction, thermal storage decreases energy consumption and sustainable building materials ensure minimal maintenance. Based on the concept that a positive and stimulating environment increases the well-being of patients and has a beneficial effect on their revalidation process, Groot Klimmendaal is unlike the typical healthcare centre.

Image Courtesy : Rob t Hart

HOUSE : Small House, Sydney, Australia

Small House is ultra-compact concrete vertical house so small that it can fit into the typical sprawling suburban home (7mx6m). The core idea is to build upwards rather than outwards, by assigning multiple uses to single spaces and allowing enough leeway for future modifications. The large sliding windows maximize daylight, ventilation and frame city views; whilst the solidity ensures privacy from surrounding commercial buildings and good thermal mass. Low-E comfort plus glazing, also reduces the reliance on mechanical air-conditioning.

Image Courtesy : Trevor Mein - meinphoto Pty Ltd