International 2014 Piranesi Award
The recipients of the 26th Piranesi Awards were announced last week at the conclusion of the Piran Days of Architecture in Slovenia.
From the 36 nominated projects culled from 8 countries in the Alpe Adria region and Central Europe, the Piranesi Award was given to the Wine Terrace and Spa in Eger, Almagyar, Hungary, designed by Péter Gereben and Balázs Marián of Gereben / Marián / Építészek. The jury* "commended the elegance of the site strategy in composing the buildings into the site which is reinforced by the materiality of the building. Roof of the main building is both vernacular but also modern and playful solution."
An Honorable Mention was given to the Nordic Center in Planica, Slovenia, designed by Matej Blenkuš, Miloš Florjančič, and Klemen Kobal of Abiro; and Ana Kučan and Luka Javornik of Studio AKKA. The jury said, "In a decade defined by iconic ski jumps, this project is recognized for taking a radically different approach producing a harmonious integration into the landscape. The project succeeds in emphasizing the ski slope in the composition and the auxiliary buildings are complimentary and quietly observe from the sideline."
A second Honorable Mention was given to the Krkonose Mountains Centre for Environmental Education and Research (KCEV) in Vrchlabi, Czech Republic, designed by Petr Hájek Architekti. The jury "appreciated the sculptural integration of the building into the landscape, the dual function of the garage, and detailing of the project. Interesting sculptural form of the ceiling reflects the submerged cave‐like condition of the building yet creates intriguing interior spaces."
Finally, from the 16 students’ projects selected by the faculites of architecture from Graz, Vienna, Split, Zagreb, Pescara, Trieste, Ljubljana and Maribor, a Students' Honorable Mention was awarded to the Design for a Recycling Plant in Savsko Naselje, Ljubljana, Slovenia, designed by Gregor Ferenčak with mentor Tadej Glažar, faculty of architecture Ljubljana, Slovenia. The jury "greatly appreciated the construction of the program and its sculptural architecture is beautifully articulated. The project is an interesting and intelligent proposal for everyday problems within an everyday surrounding."
*The Piranesi Awards jury:
Rok Jereb, Blaž Budja, Slovenia
Toma Plejić, Croatia
Ricardo Carvalho, Portugal
Gabriel Kogan, Brazil
Lisa Huang, USA (jury president)
Tom Frantzen, Netherlands