The winner of this year’s Mies van der Rohe Award was announced on Friday 8 May. The prize of 60,000 euros went to the Szczecin Philharmonic Hall (Poland), by architects Barozzi Veiga, a Barcelona-based firm led by an Italian, Fabrizio Barozzi, and a Galician, Alberto Veiga.

Built on the site of the former Konzerthaus, which was destroyed in World War II, the new complex is designed to stand in emphatic contrast to adjacent buildings, its translucent white glass façades given rhythm by white aluminium ribs.

Reminiscent of a giant crystal, the geometry of the building reflects and responds to the urban fabric in which it is inserted. The new complex has four main areas: a large symphony hall with capacity for 1,000 people, a chamber hall with capacity for 250 people, an exhibition area, and a lobby which doubles as a multi-purpose area.

These different areas are connected by an internal corridor whose geometry and handling of light are designed to enhance and enrich the spatial qualities of the building. The symphony hall is the most representative element in the complex, offering a contemporary interpretation of a space designed to simultaneously embody reflection and essence.

Another award, the Mies van der Rohe Foundation’s Emerging Architect Special Mention, went to Casa Luz in Cilleros (Cáceres, Spain), designed by Arquitectura-G. The prize of 20,000 euros is shared by architects Jonathan Arnabat, Jordi Ayala-Bril, Aitor Fuentes and Igor Urdampilleta.

The Mies van der Rohe Prize is awarded on a biennial basis to architectural works within the European Union.

Sources: arquitecturaviva.com, arquitecturayempresa.es