The ninth edition of the Grand Prix international architecture competition, promoted and held by Casalgrande Padana, saw the participation of over 250 designers, from all over the world, and top-level projects. The turnout was testimony to the growing popularity and appreciation of ceramic materials in the building sector.
The architectural scene emerging clearly in this edition, as well as in the past ones, effectively highlights not only the intrinsic properties of stoneware tiles, but first and foremost their ability to relentlessly evolve in order to cater for different needs and applications in terms of scope, operational techniques and designer’s taste. For over 20 years, Grand Prix has followed product and architectural application development processes closely, confirming its international vocation.
The submitted projects were examined and assessed by an international jury, chaired by Franco Manfredini, President of Casalgrande Padana and comprised of
Alfonso Acocella, Architect, Florence (I)
(Architecture Professor, Ferrara University)
Giuseppe Cappochin, Architect, Padua (I)
(Appointed by the National Architect Council - Rome)
Biagio Furiozzi, Architect, Florence (I)
(Head of the Architecture Department, Florence University)
Ferdinando Gottard, Architect, Gorizia (I)
(Director of “Azero”)
Joelle Letessier, Architect, Paris (F)
(Director of “Archicréé”)
Sebastian Redecke, Architect, Berlin (D)
(Director of “Bauwelt”)
Matteo Vercelloni, Architect, Milan (I)
(Journalist, Architecture critic)
The jury gathered on 30 November 2012 and, having thoroughly discussed the projects, selected the most noteworthy. Subsequently, it assigned the three prizes for each category as well as the special mentions. The following works were selected for each different project category:
SHOPPING AND OFFICE CENTRES (large-size projects)
Corvino + Multari / Design International - “La Cartiera”, Shopping Centre Pompei, Naples (I);
C.S.T, architect Graziano Facchini - “Città dei Templi“ Shopping Centre, Agrigento (I);
Design and Construction Company, architect Nagrebel’nyy Sergey Vladimirovich - Shopping Centre, Yekaterinburg (RUS).
PUBLIC AND SERVICE BUILDINGS; INDUSTRIAL AND OTHER BUILDINGS
Bamberg Architecture, architect Thomas Bamberg - Church Sunnenbuhl (D);
Agencja Projectowa “Architectura” - Airport Jasionka , Rzeszow (PL);
Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas - School Georges-Frêche, Montpellier (F);
Kammerl+Kollegen, architect Eik Kammerl - NewMetro Station, Aschaffenburg (D);
Andrea Mambriani - Cedacri Group Headquarter, Collecchio, Parma (I);
Strabag Architectural Group, architect Valeria Shubina - “Theological Seminary”, Kolomna (RUS).
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
Artadi Arquitectos, architect Javier Artadi - Las Palmeras House, Lima (PE);
Alain Demarquette - Private Houses, Merignies (F) - Private Houses, Cambrai (F);
Louis Phillips Architects and Associates, architect Luis Phillips - Pearl Valley Golf Estate, Paarl (ZA);
Archengine, architect Justin Quinlan - Small Residences, Griffith (AUS).
FAÇADE COVERINGS AND OUTDOOR FLOORING
Studio di Architettura Anselmi & Associati - San Pio da Pietralcina parish complex, Rome (I);
Silvio D’Ascia Atelier D’Architecture / Ati Sevizi Integrati - “La Porta Del Parco”, Bagnoli, Naples (I);
5+1 AA Alfonso Femia, Gianluca Peluffo - “Ex Metalmetron”, Savona (I);
Atelier Traldi, architetto Alessandro Traldi - School Complex, Massalengo, Lodi (I).
SWIMMING POOLS
Marco Ciarlo e Fabio Fabiano architetti - Swimming Pool, Savona (I);
3 A, architect Jean Luc Roussel - Swimming Pool, Leffrinckoucke (F);
S. Area Alain Sarfati Architecture, architect Alain Sarfati - “Centre Aqua-Ludique”, Arras (F).
The 2010-2012 Grand Prix awards will be given during a dedicated honour ceremony, still in its organizational phase, to take place the next spring. We’ll keep you posted on the exact dates. The event has grown to become a customary happening. It will feature a number of outstanding international architectural scene authorities and will also be a special occasion to officially launch the 10th Grand Prix edition.
The selected works will be published in the Creative Book volume, an initiative promoted by some of the most prominent Architecture magazines in the world.