Schelling Architecture and Architectural Theory Prize 2012

On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, the committee of the Schelling Architecture Prize is changing the selection process for this year’s Architecture Prize. The jury has nominated three practises this year, each of which will have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the public and jury at the official award ceremony on November 14, 2012.
The unanimously voted prize winner of this year’s Architecture Theory Prize, Kenneth Frampton, will be a member of the jury and eligible to vote. After the individual presentations, the selection board will confer and announce the winner of the Schelling Architecture Prize.

The jury is honoring the British-American architect and historian Kenneth Frampton for his fundamental studies on tectonics and the architectonic large-scale form as predominant elements of urban landscapes. His theoretical range encompasses a vastness that no other prominent thinker in architecture has yet achieved. In addition, he will be honored for his accurate studies in which he has been analyzing current construction processes as well as the history of modern architecture since the early 19th century.

The following practises have been nominated for this year’s prize from the Schelling Architecture Foundation
worth EUR 20.000:
AFF from Berlin | D: Martin and Sven Fröhlich
Al Borde from Quito | EC: Pascual Gangotena and David Barragan
6a architects from London | GB: Tom Emerson and Stephanie Macdonald
Kenneth Frampton will receive the Architecture Theory Prize, worth EUR 10.000.
The jury has justified their nominations for the Architecture Prize as follows:

 

AFF Architekten (Martin and Sven Fröhlich) was founded in 1999. They have realized buildings of various standards, all of which have one common narrative nature. AFF closely links form finding to the authenticity of the material. In line with the tradition of the workshop principle, the idea is to create architecture with character, founded on teamwork.

 

Al Borde (Malu Borja, David Barragán, Esteban Benavides, Pascual Gangotena) was founded in 2007. The team from Ecuador impresses with its poetic interpretation of the constructive foundations of building. They analyze needs, design financing concepts and implement products. High-quality architecture in Ecuador can only be created by architects with a great sense of commitment.

 

6a architects (Stephanie Macdonald, Tom Emerson, founded in 2001) illustrate in their projects a sophisticated experience of space, light and material, also using locations throughout their history. Their work is surprising through its sovereign sense of lightness and originality, without disowning any of its sobriety.

The presentations from the nominated firms as well as the award ceremony will take place on:
November 14, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. (programme is scheduled to end at 8:30 p.m.)
Location: Tulla auditorium KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) / Faculty of Architecture
Englerstr.11, 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany