Teams from Turkey and Lebanon have received top honors in the 2014 regional Holcim Awards for Africa Middle East, an award which recognizes the most innovative and advanced sustainable construction designs. Among the top three winners is an “Eco-Park” sustainable research and technology center embedded within the terraced, industrial landscape of Ankara.
The 12 recognized projects will share over $300,000 in prize money, with the top three projects overall going on to be considered for the global Holcim Awards, to be selected in 2015.
The full list of Africa Middle East winners, after the break…
GOLD: Eco-Techno Park: Green building showcase and enterprise hub
Authors: Onat Öktem, Zeynep Öktem (ONZ Architects, Ankara, Turkey)
An Eco-Park for sustainable research and technology that will promote small and middle-sized enterprises is planned for an industrial zone.
Offices and workshop spaces are embedded within the terraced landscape. The building constitutes a landmark for the area and connects with the terraces at different levels. The project incorporates sustainable features including natural lighting, geothermal heat pumps, green roofs, passive ventilation and water efficiency/irrigation systems.
SILVER: Evergreen City: Urban pine forest rehabilitation
Authors: Raëd Abillama (Raëd Abillama Architects, Lebanon); Sawsan Bou Fakhreddine (Associaton for Forests Development & Conservation, Lebanon); Youssef Abillama (Maintenance Management Group, Antelias, Lebanon)
The Beirut Pine Forest extends over more than 2 hectares and is a unique green space, considered the largest botanical garden in Lebanon.
A rehabilitation plan has been proposed to develop the facilities and services needed in the park for opening it to the public and promoting it for cultural, social, sports, and environmental activities – while at the same time maintaining and conserving the park’s natural habitats.
BRONZE: Incremental Construction: Low-cost modular housing scheme
Authors: Dirk Donath (Bauhaus University, Weimar, Germany); Brook Haileselassie, Asgedom Berhe, Helawie Sewnet, Sarah Yusuf (EiABC-Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia); Peter Dissel (Afro-European Engineers, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia); Jakob Mettler (Bauhaus University, Weimar, Germany)
Responding to the housing challenge of rapid urbanization, the project develops a purposefully incomplete structure that is both affordable and rapid to assemble.
Close to 90% of components including concrete elements and lightweight eucalyptus frames are prefabricated by micro and small-scale enterprises, creating skilled employment and capacity building. Homeowners will be able to finish the construction themselves, installing building components and finishes according to their needs.
Acknowledgement Prize: Adaptive Re-Use: Women’s center and playground
Main Authors: Shatha Safi - Riwaq – center for architectural conservation, Ramallah, Palestine; Yara Sharif - NG Architects and Palestine Regeneration Team (PART), London, United Kingdom
Acknowledgement Prize: Chicoco Radio: Community building designed for urban flooding
Main Authors: Kunlé Adeyemi - NLÉ Works, Lagos, Nigeria
Acknowledgement Prize: Co-op Capacity Building: Community farming and market hub
Main Authors: Pamela Larocca - Urban Future organization / kaudesign studio, Milan, Italy
Acknowledgement Prize: Weaving Publicness: Socially-integrated office building with sustainable façade
Main Authors: Ken De Cooman - BC architects, Brussels, Belgium; Wes Degreef - BC architects, Brussels, Belgium; Adeyabeba Tadesse Hailemariam - ABBA architects, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Acknowledgement Prize: White Canvas: Health center and school in refugee camp
Main Authors: Attila Szabadics - ArchSus Group, Pécs, Hungary
"Next Generation" First Prize: Bio-Mimicry: Water research center
Main Authors: Jurie Swart - South Africa
"Next Generation" Second Prize: Destroyed City Told: Earthquake memorial and archaeological museum
Main Authors: Chamss Doha Oulkadi - BOM architecture, Paris, France
"Next Generation" Third Prize: Machinarium: Regenerative urban catalyst and textile production
Main Authors: Heidi van Eeden - University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
"Next Generation" Fourth Prize: Waste to Energy: Urban energy recovery and development concept
Main Authors: Marylynn Antaki, Christina Attiyeh, Mira Boumatar, Romy El Sayah, Yara Rahme - American University of Beirut (AUB), Beirut, Lebanon
Project description and news via the Holcim Foundation.
