Opening of the Schindler Award 2012
Students and architecture schools from all over Europe are invited to develop a concept for the neglected 'Schützenmatt' area on the edge of the historic city centre of Bern.
The area bordering the north-west of the otherwise excellently preserved historic centre of the capital of Switzerland is to be revitalised under the motto 'Access for all'. The 'Schützenmatt' grounds are only a few minutes by foot away from the central railway station. Divided by a railway bridge and surrounded by a chaos of streets, houses and a parking area for cars and buses, the area included in the competition also contains museums, cultural centres and a supply point for drug addicts.
The area bordering the north-west of the otherwise excellently preserved historic centre of the capital of Switzerland is to be revitalised under the motto 'Access for all'. The 'Schützenmatt' grounds are only a few minutes by foot away from the central railway station. Divided by a railway bridge and surrounded by a chaos of streets, houses and a parking area for cars and buses, the area included in the competition also contains museums, cultural centres and a supply point for drug addicts.
'Access for all' stands for a design philosophy that takes into account the desire for mobility of all people, regardless of age and physical capacity. The differentiation between 'suited for the disabled' and 'normal' architecture is to be done away with; a sustainable and barrier-free type of architecture meeting everyone's needs is aimed at.
Projects are required to include a master plan offering a convincing solution for the deficits of the 'Schützenmatt' area. The focus of the award is on the urban development concept. Special challenges include access to the river valley nearby and the integration of social institutions.
The projects will be assessed by a selection committee composed of internationally renowned experts and chaired by Prof. Kees Christiaanse, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich.
The projects will be assessed by a selection committee composed of internationally renowned experts and chaired by Prof. Kees Christiaanse, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich.
The competition will also award prizes to architecture schools willing to include the 'Access for all' concept in their curriculum.
The 2012 competition offers budding architects an excellent opportunity to develop new design concepts for one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. Prize Money
Student Awards:
€ 5,000 for the winner
€ 3,000 for second place
€ 2,000 for third place
€ 1,000 each for fourth and fifth places
School Awards:
€ 25,000 for the highest-ranking project
€ 15,000 for the second highest-ranking project
€ 10,000 for the third highest-ranking project
€ 5,000 for the fourth and fifth highest ranking projects Schedule
Registration deadline: 30 April 2012
Submission deadline: 30 July 2012
Projects to be judged by jury of experts: 17-22 September 2012
Award Ceremony in Berne (Switzerland): 7 December 2012
Further information and registration for students
The last competition sponsored by the elevator manufacturer Schindler focussed on Berlin and was concerned with the development of ideas for converting the historic Olympic grounds to a barrier-free sports and leisure park.
The 2012 competition offers budding architects an excellent opportunity to develop new design concepts for one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. Prize Money
Student Awards:
€ 5,000 for the winner
€ 3,000 for second place
€ 2,000 for third place
€ 1,000 each for fourth and fifth places
School Awards:
€ 25,000 for the highest-ranking project
€ 15,000 for the second highest-ranking project
€ 10,000 for the third highest-ranking project
€ 5,000 for the fourth and fifth highest ranking projects Schedule
Registration deadline: 30 April 2012
Submission deadline: 30 July 2012
Projects to be judged by jury of experts: 17-22 September 2012
Award Ceremony in Berne (Switzerland): 7 December 2012
Further information and registration for students
The last competition sponsored by the elevator manufacturer Schindler focussed on Berlin and was concerned with the development of ideas for converting the historic Olympic grounds to a barrier-free sports and leisure park.
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