Three awards for Polish studio
Architecture and urban planningThe jury awarded the Grand Prix in the design category to the Muzeum Książąt Lubomirskich in Wrocław, while the Lazar Khidekel prize was awarded to the Polish Pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, and the second prize in the public industrial structures and buildings category went to Apartmenty XYZ in Szczyrk. Muzeum Książąt Lubomirskich is a contemporary city palace characterised by its openness and free composition – a modern version of a classic palazzo.
“We are very pleased that the jury appreciated a project that integrates harmoniously with Wrocław’s urban fabric and respects its traditions, by awarding it the most important prize at the international Biennial,” commented Krzysztof Budzisz of WXCA, one of the designers of the museum.
The Lazar Khidekel, prize, in honour of the visionary artist, designer and architect, was presented at the Belarusian Biennial for the first time.
“We are all the more pleased because our project has been noticed and recognised as the most innovative and environmentally-friendly. This is an important distinction for us because we put great importance on sustainable design and limiting the adverse impact of buildings on the environment,” claims Marta Sękulska-Wrońska of WXCA, who contributed to the design of the pavilion.
For the Polish Pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai the aim of the design was to create a structure that could be re-located to Poland. This was made possible due to the unusual steel structure of the pavilion that can be folded, as well as the prefabricated façade composed of wooden panels. After the event, the pavilion will be moved to the Bialystok University of Technology, where it will function as a centre of knowledge about wood.
In the public industrial structures and buildings category, the second prize went to the design of Apartamenty XYZ in Szczyrk in the Beskid Śląski mountains in southern Poland. Three small apartment buildings – X, Y and Z – aligned with the picturesque mountain landscape, are to be built. The sloping roofs and wooden façade are designed to blend in with the traditional local architecture.
“We wanted to show that it was possible for the buildings of a small, friendly scale to function as intended and at the same time emphasise the unique context of the location,” explains Ewelina Szeląg of WXCA one of the designers of the apartments.
The Minsk International Biennale of Young Architects takes place during the country’s National Architecture Festival. It was first held in 2005, and four years later took place under the auspices of the International Union of Architects. More than 300 projects in 28 (mainly European and Asian) countries were entered in the competition.
The Polish Pavilon at Expo 2020 in Dubai
Apartamenty XYZ in Szczyrk
Muzeum Książąt Lubomirskich in Wrocław
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