THU 09 SEPTEMBER 2010 22:40:22

AND THE WINNERS ARE.....

Announcement of WINNERS ARCHIPRIX International
Shanghai 2007
The world's best graduation projects – architecture – urban design – landscape architecture

WINNERS for the Hunter Douglas Awards (in alphabetical order)
2 in 1 designed by: Karimullin Timur, Dmitry Kulikov - Russia - Kazan
Agro-Industrial School of Rengo designed by: Alberto Fernandez
- Chile - Santiago
Dredge Landscape Park designed by: Gerwin de Vries, Alexander Herrebout - Netherlands - Wageningen
Duo designed by: Hiroyuki Suga - Japan - Yokohama
GS0306 designed by: Michael Smith, Robert Garita - Costa Rica - San Jose
School_handmade in Bangladesh designed by: Anna Heringer - Austria - Linz
The Urban Design Of Xiagang District In Xiamen designed by: HongXiwen, GaoJunning - China - Fujian

November 2006 the jury reviewed the submitted projects in Shanghai. The jury nominated 21 projects for an award. Chair: Zhiqiang Wu, Dean College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai China; Mels Crouwel, State Architect / BenthemCrouwel Architects, the Netherlands; Martha Cecilia Fajardo, president International Federation of Landscape Architects, Bogotà, Colombia; Qingyun Ma, architect, MADA s.p.a.m., Shanghai, China; Shane Murray, professor, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia

From the jury report:
"During the assessment, the Archiprix jury became increasingly enthusiastic about the projects submitted to this edition of the competition. They were fascinated by the way in which graduating designers from all corners of the world managed to apply global knowledge and tendencies to local issues. [...]
In Archiprix International 2007, the tone has not been set by visionary and innovative plans, but rather by the quality of the concepts. The elaboration of all nominated projects was extremely refined. Designs were often oriented toward the discovery of spatial solutions for living environments that are becoming increasingly burdened by population expansion, rising energy use, enhanced mobility, and waste production. These environmental problems appear to be a major issue throughout the world, and will probably become even more acute in the near future."

Archiprix

THU 01 JANUARY 1970 01:00:00 - / ARCHINED

AGA KHAN AWARD 2007 FOR ANNA HERINGER

Anna Heringer and Eike Roswag recieve the award for the School in Rudrapur, Dinajpur, Bangladesh.

The Aga Khan Award, with a total prize money of USD 500,000 one of the largest prizes in the architectural world, was founded in 1977 by His Highness the Aga Khan and is handed out every three years. The award is assigned to projects that distinguish themselves in the areas of modern architecture, social housing, social development, restoration, reuse, environment and landscape in the Islamic world.

For more information about the awards, and the other award winners, see the website of the Aga Khan foundation

THU 01 JANUARY 1970 01:00:00 - / ARCHINED

ARCHIPRIX INTERNATIONAL SHANGHAI 2007 - THE MOVIE

Premiere on Wednesday 18 July at 5.00 p.m. at Las Palmas, Wilhelminakade, Rotterdam, the Netherlands

THU 01 JANUARY 1970 01:00:00 - MARINA VAN DEN BERGEN / WORKGROUP 2

PRIZE FOR THIJS AND NIKOLINE

After the 2005 FAR8 competition on urban density, FAR Architecture Center Shanghai has held its second competition, the SINOCITIES AWARDS 2007, an International Architecture Design Competition on New Public Space. Designers and students from all over the world could freely choose a site on the map of Sinocity, a fictional growing city in the heart of China, and apply their innovative designs.

The SECOND PRIZE (5,000 RMB) went to Thijs van Bijsterfeld and Nikoline Dyrup Carlsen for their project REANIMATING CHINA. The authors proposed a range of small-scale planning tools to and thus made a mature assessment of the problems and realistic opportunities in current Chinese urbanism.

For more information Sinocities

THU 01 JANUARY 1970 01:00:00 - SATO DAISUKE / MANIFESTO

ME AGAIN. SATO IS BACK!!!!

Dear Omar

Thank you for your opinion!
I think that you are correct.

I'm sorry.
My opinion might not be understood easily.
Because I can't speak English so much.

1.desires
For exampleš The high rise apartment is rapidly constructed in
Shanghai.
And ­any Chinese status or ideology long for a high-rise apartment.
Many high-rise apartments are bad architectures.
But, It is difficult to make Chinese notice it.
Extraordinary power is necessary to make Chinese notice it.
So, We should propose new good architecture that can coexist with
Chinese status or ideology.
This is "Coexist with the desire. "
It is important to make a good relation to the desire.
Excluding it is not necessarily correct.


2.hypocrisy
Correctness is not necessarily true.
Now, many radical Islam has caused terrorism.
But, This fundamental cause is pressing of the correct that America, EU
and Other advanced countries think about.
Thinking that a lot of people are correct is not necessarily true.
It is sometimes deceived that it is correct.
Is it true to plant a lot of trees?
No.
This sometimes decreases the number of other plants and animals.
Are it true to use water sparingly and to make sustainable
architecture?
he he

I think this manifesto says too much in detail.

It is important that we keep evaluating "What is "good" architecture?".


Best regards

Daisuke Sato

THU 01 JANUARY 1970 01:00:00 - FELIX GOMEZ / MANIFESTO

REFERENTE AL MANIFIESTO

Me alegra mucho que el manifiesto intente ser contundente y preciso, y que la palabra "sostenibilidad" o "arquitectura sostenible" casi no aparezca en el texto, aunque se halle implícita en toda la redacción. Me alegra porque esos eran tres apuntes que te iba a enviar y son los temas que me preocupan e incomodan desde hace un par de años. Después de leer el manifiesto he reducido todo el rollo que te iba a mandar (tarde, por cierto) a un par de comentarios, "fuera de programa" como quién dice, solamente para intercambiar ideas, porque repito que los veo bien resueltos por el texto final.

1. Habría que acabar de una vez con el uso de "sostenible" como adjetivo relacionado con la arquitectura, y empezar de una vez a aceptarlo como parte inherente del sustantivo "arquitectura". Si no es sostenible entonces no es arquitectura. Eso de "arquitectura sostenible" empieza a ser de mal gusto, en mi opinión, y tan falsamente utilizado como la famosa eco-island. Lo ridículo es que se discuten chorradas como si la palabra correcta es "sostenible" o "sustentable". Un amigo decía que el adjetivo "sostenible" debería ser una marca registrada, y que en la construcción sólo debería ser utilizada con autorización y verificación de su correcto uso. Bueno, yo repito que ese adjetivo debe simplemente desaparecer del lenguaje y del bla bla bla del arquitecto.
2. La auténtica sostenibilidad en cada proyecto es un EQUILIBRIO, no una sumatorio. El equilibrio implica decisiones sin demagogia. Los objetivos ambiciosos que se tienen son frágiles, y su credibilidad y nuestra capacidad de convicción dependen en gran parte de la viabilidad de los proyectos (no estoy hablando de economía aquí). Por ejemplo, un proyecto viable en Finlandia será aquel que evite que sus ocupantes se suiciden (no es broma) en Invierno por las depresiones causadas por la falta de luz solar, aunque eso nos dificulte o nos impida alcanzar el nivel óptimo de eficacia energética del edificio. Bueno, sólo es un ejemplo, seguro que a ti se te ocurrirá otro.
Me he enrollado un poco...así que gracias otra vez por el trabajón hecho, un saludo etc. etc. etc...Hala, Félix

THU 01 JANUARY 1970 01:00:00 - DMITRI KULIKOV / MANIFESTO

MANIFESTO IS A VERY GOOD IDEA!!!

Dear Friends!

Manifesto is a very good idea! I support it a lot!!!!!!!!

One comment - Current version (that I have read ) is tooooooooooo
long. To much long Omar. Difficult to read. The main idea is hiding
through so long text. It needs more editing. I will work on that as well.
But anyway... LETS KEEP GOING!!!!!!!!!!

All best friends!


Kupava

THU 01 JANUARY 1970 01:00:00 - ANNA HERINGER / MANIFESTO

MANIFESTO OPEN DISCUSSION?

Dear Omar,

Great work!! I´m so happy that you took the major work part in joining all these ideas together - thank you so much for that!

Sorry, I didn`t had internet access the last few days that`s why my final comments are coming so late, but I liked Mike`s idea to keep it an open discussion paper. (I`m still looking forward for more of your ideas Mike ;)!)

Some added ideas that I forgot to mention in my first brain storming and that are still moving me ... I would be happy if they could be included or if I could get your comments on that.


Best regards and thanks again to Omar for his great work!


Anna ...and here we go:

Globalization is a challenge. Globalization is also connecting people. There is a huge potential in mutual learning and Archiprix International is a platform of such learning and exploring. Be it in the so-called developed North or in the developing South – everywhere we have to strive for sustainability in building up and changing our environment. It is one planet Earth we are all responsible for - for us and our future generations. In this regard we seek to be sensitive and promote working internationally linked and in an interdisciplinary manner with other experts.
Whereas sometimes sustainability may be connected with a feeling of restricted artistic freedom and limited aesthetic value, we believe true beauty is more than just a matter of shapes or colours. For us it means entire harmony that includes all levels of built and un-built environment in ecological, economical, cultural, social and spiritual aspects. How can something be really beautiful if it is socially exploiting or a debtor to the environment? For us ideal beauty includes sustainability. As architects we are in the service of aesthetics and beauty- it is on us to realise architecture that is not a matter of self-infatuation but an attempt to reach true harmony on all levels of the entire being.

Problems in cities and rural areas are inter-linked. Usually, the focus of architecture – in universities as well as in symposia, literature and in practising studios – is on urban areas. Rural areas are too often neglected. To better balance population distribution and to prevent cities from uncontrolled growth and villages from harmful brain drain we need to take care for an improved living in both areas.

We need to reduce the level of primary energy of buildings. The choice of the building material is an important factor that influences the primary energy in several aspects - the specific production processes, transport and construction.

To utilize existing potentials and materials with improved or upcoming technologies is a sensitive and durable way to reach sustainability, comfort and a timeless architecture. Small, regionally confined material cycles strengthen the local, mainly small economy and play a significant social role. Endogenous resources and local materials should not be replaced by products, which rely on imported raw materials and consume a high amount of energy for production as well as for transportation. Pure natural materials can be easily recycled with only minor or even without environmental impact. An advantage from an economic perspective: local materials strengthen the regional economy and create jobs through both material sourcing and construction.

THU 01 JANUARY 1970 01:00:00 - LAA / MANIFESTO

WHAT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN JUDGED?

Today’s Archiprix is a mature bi-annual event in the World’s cultural calendar, but it still raises some interesting questions about the competition process and the relation of established architects to the rising generation.


During Achiprix Shanghai 2007 I have noticed a divergence between the expectations of judges and entrants. Archiprix is a kind of coming-out ball for its entrants. Unable to show off any realized buildings, we try to doll ourselves up, make ourselves as attractive as possible. We present ourselves in what we consider our “Sunday’s” best: beautiful models and drawings and sometimes quasi-poetic and oracular written explanations. All this tended to irritate juries as we have researched and confirmed, which have mostly been composed of architects of the 1960 generation, looking for a mix of instant pragmatics and ideological engagement.


For the winners, at least, the prize has a real practical value. There is of course a danger that when a student wins a prize, obtains a mention or even a nomination it can create an instant reputation, before he or she has even embarked on the hard task of everyday practice, which could lead to disappointments and frustrations afterwards. A deeper question concerns the cultural importance of Archiprix. How accurately does it detect emerging tendencies in the rising generation? When the prizes have been handed out and the travelling exhibition has set off on its tour of the various architecture schools, one asks oneself what has actually been judged: the students' projects, the tutors who steered those students through their diplomas, the school committees that nominated them for Archiprix, or, finally, the multi-disciplinary jury? In short: who judges whom?



Architectural themes have changed over the years. In the early 1980s there were many projects for social housing became the vogue. The emphasis shifted in the mid-1980s to buildings with cultural and public functions: theatres, museums, sports complexes. Instead of cosy, low-rent substitute houses in old neighbourhoods, there were high-rise apartment buildings. 'Metropolitanism', and ideologically (quasi?) neutral realism came later on. Students, mostly educated in a tradition of Modernism and radicalized by the student movement, became interested in Constructivism or Deconstructivism. Later, new themes entered the stage. In 1989 there were many variations on 'the house'. A year later, the concept of 'travelling' became predominant. Then, in 1992, the two tendencies merged to form a hybrid in the image of the 'metropolitan nomad' -- from the high-income company executive to the poor and homeless.

THU 01 JANUARY 1970 01:00:00 - ALEXANDER HERREBOUT / ARCHINED

REPORT OF VISIT TO SHANGHAI CHONGMING ECO-ISLAND

7.50 Saturday morning. Some large, long object looms in the distance. It turns out to be the bus. Embarking on an excursion to the Eco Island isn’t easy after a week of workshops and a prize-giving ceremony. But most people expect us, the dredge eco boys, to join an excursion like this, which is why I got up for it. Gerwin is still snoring somewhere, and when I climb onto the bus I realise he’s not the only one, since there’s plenty of room.

The bus takes us to the ferry that crosses to the island. Drab weather over the water does nothing to cheer up this side of Shanghai. It turns out to be an omen of what’s to come: one of the new exhibition halls that a growing China now boasts. Regular contents: a deluge of images in the form of a huge model, a film with lots of images of people relaxing in beautifully green landscapes and cities, an enthusiastic commentary from a Chinese person with an American accent, and loads of renderings with colours a little too bright. Or maybe it’s just my headache. The model clearly shows the scale and ambition of the Eco Island project, and it’s impressive.

The film repeated in the company of one of those responsible for this grand project. It becomes even clearer that island life will be strictly for the happy few. Lots of pictures of people golfing and sailing. The words environmentally friendly and sustainable are heard just a little too often. It seems as if the guilty conscience brought about by the unstoppable growth of Shanghai is being projected onto an enormous island. Answers to critical questions reveal that the Chinese language barrier can come in very handy sometimes. The answers on questions about what will happen to those currently living on the island and where public housing is planned are unsatisfactory. But this, too, might be down to my headache.

Then it’s off to some model homes that wouldn’t be out of place in a typical Dutch suburb. The houses have charming interiors and pleasant gardens. Here, too, we see that homes are always enclosed by an unavoidable New Chinese Wall. The gated community is never far away here.

After a Chinese meal, just as wonderful as all the other meals I’ve had here, the tour starts. It consists of a 3-hour-long drive through an agricultural area that feels very Dutch: flat, lots of ditches and plenty of trees. And plenty in China really does mean PLENTY. Fine, but not for a full three hours. The stop at the nature reserve can do little to change that. Luckily, I’ve been joined by Chew Yoon Kyu, my Malaysian workshop colleague who now lives and works in London and has adapted his humour and accent accordingly, and he’s come up with an extremely intriguing and beautiful project with Photoshoped images as paintings (vertical energy).

After chatting for a while and snoozing a little, we arrive back at the hotel. And that ends a fantastic International Archiprix workshop week.

THU 01 JANUARY 1970 01:00:00 - ALEXANDER HERREBOUT / ARCHINED

VISIT TO SHANGHAI CHONGMING ECO-ISLAND

Model of ChongMing Eco-Island