Videos

The jury decided to award two entries with equal first place. They exemplify a new era in sustainable construction because they are characterized not by stand-alone measures but by holistic concepts that integrate technical, social, economic, and ecological aspects in a balanced way. Both projects are located in a Brussels district for which an urban masterplan has been developed – the Willebroek Canal. 

Zero (fossil) Energy Development units on parking lots, London, United Kingdom: Prototype for a low-carbon architecture built above existing public parking spaces – an ingenious solution to solve London’s housing shortage. By ZEDpods Ltd, London, United Kingdom.

First independent theater, Bucharest, Romania: A community-supported independent theater – the first since 1946 – that transforms a dilapidated plot into a cultural venue. By Chris Simion-Mercurian and Tiberiu Mercurian, Ascociata Culturala Grivita 53; Codrin Tritescu and Petre Frangulea, Arhitecture Office Codrin Tritescu, Bucharest, Romania.

LafargeHolcim Awards Acknowledgement prize 2017 Europe An ecological approach to archaeological sites, Pontevedra, Spain: Landscape park of simple means and layered interpretations for a series of archaeological sites. By Joaquín Pérez-Goicoechea, AGi architects, Madrid, Spain.

Roman settlement excavation center Augusta Raurica, Augst, Switzerland: An archaeological center for Roman ruins finds a flexible structural system to meet diverse uses and adapt as they change over time.By Ünal Karamuk and Jeannette Kuo, Karamuk Kuo Architekten, Zurich, Switzerland.

Neighborhood recreation center, Bordeaux, France: An array of sporting facilities stacked in one volume, but in open air – uses sport as a social condenser. By François Chas, Nicolas Guerin, Fabrice Long, Paul Maître-Devallon and Ana Miscu, NP2F, Paris, France.

Gilles Delalex and his team from Muoto Architecture Studio won the Building Better Recognition for a winning project from a previous competition that has stood the test of time as a particularly successful example of sustainable building. The architects excelled in accommodating infrastructure for eight universities under the roof of a highly economical and cost-efficient building. The project won LafargeHolcim Awards Silver in 2014. The building was completed in 2016 and stands as proof that theory can indeed exist in practice.