Exhibition
The European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture
Exhibition poster: Europe's Best Buildings. Mies van der Rohe Award 2011
© Architekturzentrum Wien, photograph: Ute Zscharnt, graphic design: LIGA: graphic design
An exhibition by the Fundació Mies van der Rohe — Barcelona
Dietmar Steiner, Director of the Az W
Diane Gray, Exhibition curator, Fundació Mies van der Rohe — Barcelona
Hannes Swoboda, Leader of the S&D Group in the European Parliament
The Mies van der Rohe Award, one of the most significant and prestigous prizes for architecture in Europe, is a shared initiative between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe — Barcelona. Prize money totalling EUR 80.000 is awarded following a competition every two years (First Prize: EUR 60.000, Emerging Architect Prize: EUR 20.000).
The key aim is to provide recognition and critical acclaim for exceptional achievements in the field of architecture within the Europe. Projects are awarded prizes whose innovative character serves as orientation, even as manifestos, for the development of contemporary architecture. The award is intended to promote the profession and as encouragement for young architects at the outset of their careers. Both prizes, the main prize and the Emerging Architect Prize, are awarded for exceptional achievements in conceptual, technical and structural terms.
Six finalists were selected from the 343 projects nominated by European institutions and experts in 2011 — the eminent members of the jury were ultimately most convinced by the Neues Museum in Berlin by David Chipperfield Architects in collaboration with Julian Harrap. Special Mention for the Emerging Architect 2011 went to Ramon Bosch and Bet Capdeferro for the Collage House in Girona. A total of 45
exceptional building projects from all over Europe are shown in the touring exhibition on the basis of of plans and photographs, as well as numerous models. The exhibition at the Az W is enhanced by the virtual
presence of around 20 additional nominations with Austrian participation, providing a unique survey of the most exceptional Austrian architecture projects in recent years.
A catologue is to be presented at the exhibition showing the works selected by the jury: the prize-winners, the finalists and shortlisted projects.
Exhibition curator: Diane Gray, Fundació Mies van der Rohe — Barcelona
Project management, Az W: Katharina Ritter, Karoline Mayer
Public Funding:
Geschäftsgruppe Stadtentwicklung und Verkehr
Bundesministerium für Unterricht, Kunst und Kultur
Geschäftsgruppe Kultur und Wissenschaft
Sponsor: ARCHITECTURE LOUNGE
