Events

“Metamorphosis of Tour Montparnasse” exhibition at Pavillon de l’Arsenal

Through models, 3D animation films, plans and perspective drawings the exhibition presents in great detail the 7 projects proposed in the international consultation for the transformation of Tour Montparnasse, one of Paris’ symbols of modernity and innovation.

Winner proposal by Nouvelle AOM (Franklin Azzi / Chartier Dalix / Hardel et Le Bihan) © Nouvelle AOM

From the start, Montparnasse Tower was conceived as a bold statement, a symbol of modernity and innovation. The 210-metre skyscraper in the Montparnasse district of Paris — for many years the tallest in Europe — is an impressive sight on the city’s skyline. This superstructure of concrete, steel and glass was a formidable challenge to build, both technologically and financially, on a par with the great Haussmann style developments of the previous century. The tower was the crowning architectural achievement of the newly developed Maine-Montparnasse district, completed in the 1970s. (more…)

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The Museo del Prado exhibits the finalist proposals presented in the Hall of Realms competition

The Museo del Prado has organised a public exhibition to present the eight finalists that entered the international tender for the architectural renovation and museum adaptation of the Hall of Realms. The winning proposal was presented by the team made up of Foster + Partners L.T.D. and Rubio Arquitectura S.L.P.

Hall of Realms winning proposal by Foster + Partners and Rubio Arquitectura © Foster + Partners and Rubio Arquitectura

The Museo del Prado exhibits the eight finalist proposals presented as part of the Tender for the Renovation of the Hall of Realms. The tender, which was announced in the Official State Gazette (B.O.E.) on 1st March 2016, and whose purpose was to choose the team of architects to be entrusted with the renovation of the Hall of Realms, was settled last 22nd November. (more…)

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“Architecture in Competition: a Critical Journey Through Portuguese Modernity” at C.C. Belém

The exhibition presents an overview of architectural competitions in the last hundred years. With the participation of a selected team of critics and authors, it presents a curatorial approach based on existing research and documentation collected in archives, institutions and architectural offices, and provides a historical and theoretical approach of competitions in Portugal.

Arquitectura em Concurso © Renzo Piano. CC Bélem

Competitions in Portugal granted a number of works that marked the history of modern and contemporary architecture, not only as buildings of outstanding quality but also as evidence of important changes in the country. A number of key works that resulted from competitions were inscribed in our history. It is indisputable that, culturally speaking, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation radically changed the art institutions in Portugal; the Centro Cultural de Belém attested the dawn of a European Portugal and the Casa da Música became the symbol of a new cosmopolitan city. (more…)

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“Reinventing Paris” exhibition of the results of the competition at Pavillon de l’Arsenal

How will Paris be in the next decades? The exhibition “Reinventer Paris” (Reinventing Paris) showcases 23 winning designs, 74 finalists and all 358 entries submitted by multidisciplinary teams – formed by architects, urban designers, engineers, farmers, young entrepreneurs, philosophers, and artists – who entered an innovative urban design competition organized by the Municipality of Paris.

Sou Fujimoto site winning design at “Reinventing Paris” exhibition © Pierre L’Excellent

The 23 sites, many of them emblematic of Paris’ history, are located in nine of Paris’ twenty arrondissements and they are all very different in terms of their layout and characteristics, thereby enabling a multitude of possible responses from candidates. (more…)

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Bologna Shoah Memorial by SET Architects

One year after the launch of the international competition for the realization of the Bologna Shoah Memorial, Rome-based office SET Architects, winner according to the jury presided over by Peter Eisenman, delivers the Memorial on January 27th, 2016 – to coincide with International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Bologna Shoah Memorial © Photographs: Simone Bossi

Bologna Shoah Memorial © Maura Costantini – Visual Lab

In less than two months, the Memorial is a recognizable landmark of great emotional power. It is located at the intersection of Via dé Carracci and Ponte Matteotti, a city square encompassed by the newly- installed high-speed train station of Bologna. This area is primed to become the new connective pole of the city. As such, the monument attracts passers-by, inviting them to reflect on the tragedy of the Holocaust.

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“Moving Forward” winning design and prizewinners for the new Bauhaus-Archiv

The nine designs that were awarded prizes and special mentions in the architecture competition for the renovation and extension of the Bauhaus-Archiv/Museum für Gestaltung are on exhibition on the future site – in the Berlin Bauhaus institution’s listed building. A total of 41 international architecture offices submitted contributions to the closed competition.

First Prize in the architecture competition: Staab Architects, Berlin, designer: Prof. Volker Staab © Staab Architects

In the exhibition, architectural plans and models will bring to life the winning design and the ideas of the other prizewinners. An extensive supporting programme will include architectural guided tours in the grounds of the Bauhaus-Archiv. A catalogue in German and English is being published to accompany the exhibition.

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BigMat ’15 International Architecture Award unveils the 100 selected projects

The BigMat International Architecture Award is proud to present a selection of 100 projects –out of the over 750 applicants– which will compete to enter the final selection of 18 projects eligible for the Grand Prize of 30,000€.

Image of the Jury meeting in Paris © BigMat Award

The members of the Jury of the 2015 BigMat International Architecture Award have selected 100 projects out of the over 750 presented in this second edition of the Prize. President Jesús Aparicio and Secretary Jesús Donaire, along with the rest of the members of the jury –Olivier Bastin (Belgium), Martin Rajnis (Czech Republic), Antonio Ortiz (Spain), Henry Ciriani (France) Francesco Dal Co (Italy), Manuel Aires Mateus (Portugal)– met in Paris last June 10th in order to select the top 100 projects from the six countries participating in the 2015 edition of the BigMat Award: Spain, Italy, France, Belgium, Czech Republic and, for the first time this year, Portugal. (more…)

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BigMat Architecture Award 2015: less than one week to submit your entry!

Architects who want to follow the footsteps of Xaveer De Geyter —last edition’s winner— have until next May 1 to submit their works. The BigMat Architecture Award rewards European architecture with over 70.000€, distributed in 1 Grand Prize, 5 National Prizes and 12 runner-up awards.

BigMat International Award Grand Prize Trophy

The biennial Prize aims to call attention to the built works that have made a major contribution to contemporary architectural culture in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Belgium (Walloon and Brussels City), particularly aware of these works’ dialogue with timeless themes in the history of architecture, as well as their relationship with energy efficiency parameters, sustainable construction and the quest for greater comfort and habitability, accepting any building typology (residential works, commercial works, industrial works, institutional works, etc.).

Remarkably, the origins of this Award date back to 2011, coinciding in time with possibly the worst part of the finantial and economic crisis in Europe. Since then, BigMat Group have been pushing architecture forward through this Award.

Any architects whose professional address is in any of the six participating countries and whose works have also been built in these territories can submit their works until the 1^st of May 2015. Works will only be considered for this prize if they were built between January 1st, 2011, and January 1st, 2015, and, in the case of Portugal, built between January 1st, 2007, and January 1st, 2015.

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