Housing jury report
Date posted: 22/10/08
The jury was presented with a number of very strong projects. In total we viewed 13 different schemes and the great variety of housing types in this mix – high-rise towers, small garden apartments, mid-rise social housing projects, market rate flats and a 10-unit housing scheme in the shape of a meandering garden snake – made for a difficult decision as to which was the best project. It was a bit like comparing apples and oranges. Nevertheless we did decide on a single winner and three very good schemes were awarded a commendation.
The winning project Mountain Dwellings by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group in Copenhagen, Denmark was a daring 80-unit housing project that we honoured for its ‘enthusiasm’. The jury believed that this project was not without problems – a typical first design by a young architect where every idea that has been percolating in the architect’s mind for 10 years is thrown into the scheme. But nevertheless we believed its strong points (excellent outdoor private spaces, a thrilling car park in the undercroft of the housing block) far outnumbered its less successful aspects. It portends a promising future for its young architect.
WINNER Mountain Dwellings, Denmark, BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group, Denmark
HIGHLY COMMENDED 141 viviendas VPP-SPT parcela 3.13 Carabanchel Madrid, Spain, BDU estudio de arquitectura and Morphosis, Spain
HIGHLY COMMENDED Adelaide Wharf, UK, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, UK
HIGHLY COMMENDED Parkrand, Netherlands, MVRDV, Netherlands
William Menking