Landmark national cultural centre snares EU contemporary architecture prize for Norwegian firm
Norwegian architect Snøhetta has won the prestigious Mies van der Rohe Award for its national opera and ballet centre in Oslo.
The award, also known as the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture, is presented bienially to the best building in the EU.
Snøhetta's building is the largest cultural centre to be built in Norway in modern history. Its sloping roof meets the water's edge, and visitors are allowed to walk freely over the building. Open, surprising and fun, the building has already become a landmark in the Norwegian capital.
Tarald Lundevall, partner and project architect for Snøhetta, said: “Snøhetta consider the Mies van der Rohe Award among the world's most prestigious architectural acknowledgments. We are greatly honoured to receive this prize.”
Snøhetta's building beat shortlisted schemes by Grafton Architects, Massimiliano Fuksas, Atelier Marc Barani and RCR Aranda Pigem Vilalta Arquitectes. No British architects were shortlisted, although David Chipperfield had a total of five buildings longlisted for the award.
Previous UK winners of the award include Zaha Hadid's terminus at Hoenheim North (2003), Grimshaw's Waterloo station (1994) and Foster + Partners' Stansted airport (1990).
No comments yet