Out of 140 architects considered, 12 architects have been selected by the Nobel Foundation to compete to design their new home, a Nobel Center in Blasieholmen, Stockholm. The conspicuously European selection, chosen for their "design and artistic abilities and experience working in intricate urban environments," includes some very big names - including BIG, David Chipperfield Architects, Herzog & de Meuron, and OMA. The only non-Europeans to compete will be SANAA's Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa.
See the full list of competitors, and more information on the competition, after the break...
The 12 Competitors
Kim Herforth Nielsen – 3XN, Denmark
Bjarke Ingels and David Zahle – BIG, Denmark
David Chipperfield – David Chipperfield Architects, England/Germany
Jaques Herzog, Pierre de Meuron and Ascan Mergenthaler – Herzog & de Meuron, Switzerland
Johan Celsing – Johan Celsing Arkitektkontor, Sweden
Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal – Lacaton & Vassal Architectes, France
Lene Tranberg – Lundgaard & Tranberg Arkitekter, Denmark
Marcel Meili and Markus Peter – Marcel Meili, Markus Peter Architekten, Switzerland
Rem Koolhaas and Ellen van Loon – OMA, Netherlands
Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa – SANAA, Japan
Kjetil Thorsen – Snøhetta, Norway
Gert Wingårdh – Wingårdhs arkitekter, Sweden
From the Press Release:
Within the two-stage competition, the architects' task will be to design the building that will become the new home of the Nobel Prize in Stockholm. The building will house the Nobel Foundation, together with associated activities that the foundation initiates within research, educational efforts, museum operations and digital media. The building will contain public rooms for exhibitions, scientific conferences, meetings and events, as well as a library, restaurant, café and shop. The ambition is that the Nobel Center will become one of Stockholm's main attractions.
Important criteria in selecting the architects included design and artistic abilities and experience working in intricate urban environments where historical context and the natural environment must be considered with sensitivity. Practical considerations included the architects' ability to develop the project in close cooperation with the client over the course of a lengthy planning process and their experience managing construction projects cost-effectively. The names of members of the jury will be published in conjunction with the start of the competition.
Story via Nobel Foundation
