The Danish architecture firm schmidt hammer lassen will receive recognition for no less than two projects at the MIPIM awards ceremony which takes place tomorrow (Wednesday 14th March). Although the firm has recently attracted attention through a number of major
international projects, it is two Jutland-based projects which have scooped the much-coveted awards.
The two award-winning Danish projects on show at Cannes are quite different - Skyttehusbugten, a residential project and multi-purpose international academy on the Vejle waterfront, has won MIPIM's AR Future Project Award in the 'Residential' category, and the
international academy, Performers' House in Silkeborg, has been Highly Commended in the 'Mixed Use' category.
"MIPIM awards are to the construction industry what the Palme d'Ors are to the film industry - they don't come much bigger. So naturally we're extremely proud that our projects have received such international acclaim," says Bjarne Hammer, partner and Design Development
Director at schmidt hammer lassen.
AR Future Project Award for residential project
The saucer-shaped, stepped residential complex Skyttehusbugten was designed for the waterfront in Vejle, with the town behind it and a clear view out over the bay. The architects were inspired by the outstanding site which is reflected in the lines of the finished design just
as Vejle is built between two wooded slopes, so the design of the residential development is conceived as a saucer-shaped structure. The many roof terraces and light wells cut into the building echo Vejle's numerous beechwoods with their vivid green gardens. The result is a
project that has truly had its genesis in its location.
The architecture competition in Vejle took place in 2005, for realisation on one of the town's most attractive sites. In the event, the clients selected a proposal from another architect. So to date, Skyttehusbugten remains a future project - embodying a vision of how future housing
might look and offering a valuable study in the manner in which architects find inspiration in the local context.
Highly Commended award for mixed-use project
The international academy Performers' House in Silkeborg has also attracted international attention in Cannes. The academy, which will welcome its first intake of students in April this year, has been Highly Commended by the jury. Performer's House is a multi-purpose building which includes spacious performance areas, teaching facilities, a restaurant, a student café and housing for the teaching staff. An integral feature of the project has been the creation of natural links between Performer's House and other activities and cultural events which take place in the old Paper Mills area.
The architecture of the new building is raw and simple. The façade is clad in a perforated rustred steel cloak that glitters with tiny points of light when night falls. The building is situated adjacent to the old Boiler Building of 1919, which is currently undergoing a major renovation.
Therefore, one of the projects central themes has been to establish a harmonious interplay of old and new - thereby revitalising a centrally situated urban quarter while respecting the area's heritage.
Performers' House has received financial support from the Realdania Foundation, a strategic foundation dedicated to initiating and supporting projects which improve the built environment in Denmark. In recognition of Performance House's design excellence and the significant contribution it makes to the quality of the built environment, the Realdania Foundation has named the international academy as one of its flagship projects.
schmidt hammer lassen will host a presentation of the two projects at an award party at MIPIM in Cannes on 15 March at 11.00am at the Copenhagen Capacity stand (no. 19.14 / 21.13).
Notes for Editors:
About MIPIM
MIPIM is the worlds leading property fair and an annual event at Cannes. Attracting some 25,000 participants and decision makers from all over the world, MIPIM has become a gathering spot for the entire construction sector. The fair runs from 13 - 16 March.
SHL's winning projects
Skyttehusbugten: Winner of MIPIM Architectural Review Future Project Award, Residential category.
Performers' House: Highly Commended, MIPIM Architectural Review Future Project Award, Mixed Use category.
About Schmidt hammer lassen
For more than 20 years the Danish architecture practice schmidt hammer lassen has enjoyed a reputation as one of the leading, award-winning architectural practices in Scandinavia.
schmidt hammer lassen also has a growing international presence, with a range of high-profile projects in Europe, China and the Middle East. The practice has a distinguished track record as designers of high-profile cultural buildings, such as art galleries, educational complexes and libraries. Notable amongst these is the practice's acclaimed design for the Royal Danish Library which enjoys landmark status in the Danish capital. schmidt hammer lassen recently won a prestigious international competition to design a new library complex for the University of Aberdeen.
schmidt hammer lassen's portfolio includes sports centres, corporate headquarters, large-scale retail and housing schemes as well as interior and product design.
New projects include Norway's largest technical college - the Thor Heyerdal school in Larvik, Amazone Court in Prague and an urban quarter for Chongqing, China. The were recently appointed to design a new state-of-the-art headquarters for London's City of Westminster
College.
For further information please contact
Jonas Vadstrup Thomsen
Responsible for press relations
Schmidt hammer lassen
T: +45 2040 0066, E: jvt@shl.dk
Or
Robert Torday / Gemma Wood
T: 020 7247 8334
M: 07747 596 959 / 07751 187 175
E: Robert.torday@ing-media.com / gemma@ing-media.com