The competition entitled “Respect and Perspective – Redeveloping Existing Buildings Prize 2016” again proves the db editorial staff’s feeling for what makes the world of architecture tick. It was only the second time the competition had been held and it received an overwhelming response with 289 entrants and three prizes and seven mentions awarded. The quality of the projects was also exceptional. The judges awarded three buildings a first prize.
Prize: Redevelopment and refurbishment of a municipal office building in Saarbrücken (Bayer Strobel Architekten, Kaiserslautern)
The judges praised the pioneering conversion of a purpose-built, post-war office building into a contemporary public space. They commended the “restrained use of materials” and the building’s expansive view of the road outside which created “an inviting atmosphere” with spacious and light-filled interiors.
Prize: An apartment building extended, converted and turned into a hotel in Basel (Buchner Bründler Architekten, Basel)
The panel described the redeveloped 1950s building as an “attractive example of how to convert listed historical buildings with the respect required”. They went on to say that the extensions would enhance the existing quality of the architecture while retaining its character at the same time.
Prize: Refurbishment, redevelopment and restoration of the monastery as part of the European Hansemuseum in Lübeck (Studio Andreas Heller Architects & Designers, Hamburg)
The judges commended the European Hansemuseum in Lübeck as a “superb mix of open spaces, carefully refurbished listed historical buildings and a new building for the museum itself”. They thought that the choice of materials, design of the new sections and careful consideration of local urban planning objectives led to a “sympathetic realignment of the sensitive urban space”.
Photo: winners db-award (c) Andreas Körner, Bildhübsche Fotografie, Stuttgart
This year, db magazine has two reasons to celebrate. Germany’s oldest architectural magazine is already 150 years old. The anniversary celebrations and awards ceremony will both take place in the Wizemann Areal in Stuttgart on 8 December. As a partner and supporter of the db competition Wilkhahn will of course be present too. And it will feature in the anniversary publication with a portrait of its classic FS-Line office chair which is just as ground-breaking today as at its launch 36 years ago.
You can register for the event by clicking on the following link (in German): http://www.db-bauzeitung.de/Preisverleihung/Feier-150-Jahre-db
You can find out even more about Wilkhahn here: http://www.wilkhahn.com/en/about/company/