Paulo Mendes da Rocha wins prestigious Praemium Imperiale architecture prize
by Kim Megson | 14 Sep 2016
The architect has won his second high-profile award of 2016, following the Golden Lion at the Venice Architecture Biennale / YouTube
With a strong understanding of engineering, these projects highlight the innate appeal of simple materials such as concrete and steel and are structured to utilise space to maximum effect
– Praemium Imperiale jury
– Praemium Imperiale jury
Brazilian architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha has been awarded the prestigious Praemium Imperiale global prize for architecture.
The accolade – among the most valuable in the profession with prize money worth upwards of US$132,000 (€117,000, £100,000) – has been awarded annually by the Japan Art Association since 1989. Winners are also announced in the categories of painting, sculpture, music and theatre/film – areas of achievement chosen as they are not covered by the Nobel Prize.
Da Rocha is best known for his brutalist designs in his homeland. His landmark structures in the country include the Serra Dourada football stadium in Goiania and the Clube Atlético Paulistano gymnasium and the Brazilian Sculpture Museum in Sao Paolo.
In a citation, the Praemium Imperiale jury said: “With a strong understanding of engineering, these projects highlight the innate appeal of simple materials such as concrete and steel and are structured to utilise space to maximum effect.
“At the heart of da Rocha’s architecture is the pursuit of an ‘ideal harmony between the internal and the external.’ While comprehensively taking into account locality, history and landscape, he notes that ‘an architect doesn’t design for himself. He designs for society. So it’s society that is in charge.’”
Over the years, da Rocha has taught at the University of São Paulo and served as president of the Brazilian Institute of Architects. Earlier this year he was awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale.
Previous winners of the Praemium Imperiale architecture prize include David Chipperfield, Toyo Ito, Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, Peter Zumthor and Jean Nouvel. Last year the award was presented to French architect Dominique Perrault.
Paulo Mendes da Rocha Praemium Imperiale architecture prize design Japan Art Association
Brazilian architect Paulo Mendes da Rocha has been awarded the prestigious Praemium Imperiale global prize for architecture. The accolade – among the most valuable in the profession with prize money worth upwards of US$132,000 (€117,000, £100,000) – has been awarded annually by the Japan Art Association since 1989. Winners are also announced in the categories of painting, sculpture, music and theatre/film – areas of achievement chosen as they are not
CLD,AAC,ARC,DES,PHR
More news
White Arkitekter's Wood Hotel in Skellefteå Swedish Lapland is climate positive and made from local timber
by Liz Terry | 03 Dec 2022
One of the world’s tallest hotels made almost exclusively from wood, has officially opened at the birthplace of cross-country skiing, Skellefteå in Swedish Lapland, with the property's rooftop Vana Spa giving spectacular views over the city. Designed by White Arkitekter and standing at 20 storeys, the Wood Hotel, which soft opened in 2021, is 75 metres high and made almost entirely from spruce and pine sourced from nearby forests. First
Nohlab's 'Everything' installation among Noor Riyadh festival highlights
by Tom Walker | 02 Dec 2022
An immersive audiovisual experience that "observes everything as it is" was a among the highlights of this year's Noor Riyadh festival in Saudi Arabia. Created by design studio Nohlabs, the installation – called Everything – is true to its name and questions everything in existence by suggesting new possibilities for them. Offering visitors the opportunity to observe the elements that construct their everyday lives, the experience ascribes new meanings to
Bob Iger's return to Disney sparks major restructuring focused on creativity and storytelling
by Tom Walker | 25 Nov 2022
Disney is set to undergo a "major restructuring" following the shock return of CEO Bob Iger. Iger, who steered Disney as CEO from 2005 until 2020 – when his contract expired – returned to the entertainment giant recently. His return follows the exit of Bob Chapek, who took over as Disney CEO from Iger in February 2020 – just as the COVID-19 pandemic began hitting the entertainment and visitor attraction industry
Therme Group plans US$200m urban wellbeing resort in South Korea
by Megan Whitby | 23 Nov 2022
Thermal wellbeing organisation and developer Therme Group has partnered with the Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ) to create a year-round wellbeing destination in the South Korean city of Incheon. Therme has announced that it’s working with the mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City Yoo Jeong-bok and IFEZ commissioner Kim Jin-yong to build a wellbeing resort that can welcome upwards of one million people per year. Therme creates natural urban oases for
Digital art installation in Nanjing helps the public keep an eye on exoplanets
by Tom Walker | 23 Nov 2022
A permanent public art sculpture allows the public to observe the galaxy's exoplanets – which human life could potentially exist on. Data Gate is the brainchild of creative media studio, Ouchhh, and is comprised of 360 LED installations. Commissioned by the Chinese Government and located in Nanjing, the installation utilises NASA's Kepler data sets to create AI-driven content. Weighing 15 tons, the sculpture was created in collaboration with Dawn Gelino,
First glimpses revealed of flagship Blue Zones Centre in Miami
by Megan Whitby | 15 Nov 2022
The first Blue Zones Center is set to launch in Miami, Florida, showcasing the next generation of longevity medicine. The facility is underpinned by Blue Zones ’ research which has identified evidence-based ways to help people live longer and stay well. The company's work is rooted in explorations and research done by National Geographic fellow Dan Buettner, who identified the ‘blue zones regions’ around the world where people live extraordinarily
Warner Bros. and Infinite Reality launch metaverse experiences for live sports fans
by Frances Marcellin | 07 Nov 2022
Warner Bros. Discovery Sports (WBD Sports) and metaverse services provider Infinite Reality have entered into a multi-year agreement that will deliver new immersive and interactive metaverse experiences to sports fans. The scope of what’s on offer – described as “new avenues for sports communities, athletes and brands to interact with each other within unique virtual environments” – can be experienced and previewed for the first time at the UCI Track
Storyland Studios' Nigeria's film city project will break ground in Q1 2023
by Tom Walker | 04 Nov 2022
A huge "film city" and visitor attraction project in Nigeria has reached a major milestone, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between marketing and development agency Del York International Group and The Lagos State Government. The two partners signed what they described as a "monumental agreement to transform the face of the creative industry on the continent of Africa". The deal will see the state government officially
Canyon Ranch preps for major expansion with new destinations in Austin, Fort Worth and Houston
by Megan Whitby | 20 Oct 2022
US wellness lifestyle brand Canyon Ranch is set to strengthen its portfolio with two new urban clubs and a brand-new destination resort in Texas. The company has partnered with real estate investment trust VICI Properties* to secure up to US$200m (€204.6m, £178.7m) in capital to develop an Austin-based wellness resort in the Texas Hill Country, with plans to begin construction in 2023 and open to guests in 2025. Meanwhile, the
WilkinsonEyre-designed Battersea Power Station development opens as leisure district following £9bn redevelopment
by Tom Walker | 15 Oct 2022
The iconic Battersea Power Station on the south bank of the River Thames, London, UK, has finally reopened, following a £9bn redevelopment project. The Grade II* listed former coal-fired power station has been transformed into an entirely new district featuring a blend of residential and leisure, with health clubs, a visitor attraction, spa and wellness offerings, retail, bars, restaurants, entertainment venues, parks and historic spaces. Developments within the 42-acre site
Healthy cities conference to discuss diversity and inclusivity in urban planning and design
by Tom Walker | 05 Oct 2022
A conference held in London this month will discuss the "next frontier" in health- and wellness-based urban design and civic architecture. The Healthy City Design 2022 International Congress & Exhibition – held from 10 to 11 October 2022 – will take place at the Royal College of Physicians, London, UK and will also be streamed virtually online. Organised by Salus Global Knowledge Exchange, in collaboration with The Helen Hamlyn Centre
Foster and Partners reveal design for sustainable marine life centre on the Red Sea
by Tom Walker | 30 Sep 2022
The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), the developer behind the AMAALA tourism project on the shores of the Red Sea, has revealed detailed plans for a marine life institute. Designed by Foster and Partners, the institute will function as both a scientific research centre and a tourist destination, with 10 zones providing a range of experiences, from augmented reality to submarine dives. The 10,340sqm institute will be built three levels
Anaheim's US$4bn ocV!BE project approved by planners
by Tom Walker | 15 Sep 2022
Ambitious plans to create a US$4bn entertainment district in Anaheim, California, US, have been approved by the city's planning commission. The 95-acre, mixed-use ocV!BE development will be anchored by the Honda Center – the 18,000-capacity indoor arena which is the home of National Hockey League's (NHL) Anaheim Ducks. ocV!BE is driven by the Samueli family, which owns the Anaheim Ducks franchise. Set to open in 2024, the new district will
Construction marches ahead for Saudi giga-projects Amaala and The Red Sea
by Megan Whitby | 14 Sep 2022
The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), the developer behind ultra-luxury Saudi tourism destination Amaala, has now signed over 300 contracts worth more than SAR 6.62 bn (US$1.7bn, €1.7bn £1.5bn). Underpinned by sustainability, Amaala is being designed for ultra-high net worth individuals and will centre on wellness and sports, arts and culture and sea, sun and lifestyle. Spanning 4,155sq m of the Saudi Arabian coastline, Amaala will be spread across three
HBG Design behind Michigan’s six-storey Aquadome inspired by the sun’s path across the sky
by Megan Whitby | 12 Sep 2022
Hospitality and entertainment design firm HBG Design is helming the design of Michigan's new Gun Lake Casino Resort Aquadome – a glass-roofed, climate-controlled, indoor landscaped pool and event centre atrium environment. The six-storey, 32,000sq ft Aquadome is part of a US$300m (£259.1m, €298.4m) site-wide overhaul of the casino. The investment is also funding the construction of a 252-room hotel and further entertainment amenities. “The Aquadome is sure to become a
Seventh International Museum Construction Congress to be held in Norway this year
by Tom Walker | 11 Aug 2022
The International Museum Construction Congress (IMCC) will take place in the Norwegian capital city, Oslo, from 6 to 8 November 2022. Now in its seventh edition, the three-day IMCC is designed for international museum leaders, architects, project managers, museum leaders and any other professionals involved in the construction, renovation and expansion of museums. The planning committee for this year's event is chaired by Göran Joryd, project manager for the new
The 'world's most anticipated museum' to finally open this year
by Tom Walker | 11 Aug 2022
The Grand Egyptian Museum is set to finally open its doors after a design and construction project which has taken more than 20 years to complete. Touted as the world's most anticipated museum – thanks to both its unique design and the treasures it will house – the attraction was first announced to the world in 2001. A design competition in 2002 received more than 1,500 entries, from which Heneghan
Nike's Serena Williams Building, designed by Skylab, follows the concept of flow
by Tom Walker | 08 Aug 2022
The new Serena Williams Building at Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, US, has been declared open. The 1m sq ft building, designed by architects Skylab, is the largest structure on the Nike campus and establishes new links to the existing campus through restored wetlands, public plazas, and view corridors. The building consists of four parts a 12-story tower with shared amenities for all of the Nike Campus – including
Saudi Arabia's Neom mega-development to include 100-mile long 'horizontal skyscraper city'
by Tom Walker | 03 Aug 2022
Plans have been revealed for a 100-mile-long structure that is set to become the centrepiece of the ambitious Neom mega-development in Saudi Arabia. Called The Line, the "horizontal city" will be 200m wide and built on a footprint of just 34sq km. Designed to run on 100 per cent renewable energy The Line will eventually accommodate nine million people, with housing, parks and public spaces, retail and leisure facilities and
David Adjaye and Ralph Appelbaum selected for £57m International Slavery Museum and Maritime Museum project
by Tom Walker | 07 Jul 2022
Adjaye Associates and Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA) have been named as the preferred bidders to lead the design of a £57m redevelopment of the International Slavery Museum and Maritime Museum in Liverpool, UK. National Museums Liverpool (NML) picked the two design firms for the project which will see the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Building become a prominent new entrance to the International Slavery Museum. According to NML, the work
Virgin Active opens at Milan’s sleek new Bocconi University by SANAA
by Frances Marcellin | 06 Jul 2022
Virgin Active and Myrtha Wellness have joined forces to open a health club and wellness centre at Milan’s new Bocconi University. The entire campus was designed by Pritzker-prize winning architects, SANAA, whose work includes the New Contemporary Art Museum in Manhattan, the Christian Dior building in Tokyo and La Samaritaine department store in Paris for LVMH. The fitness and wellness facilities are located on the first floor of the Bocconi
Swedish architects Wingårdhs create year-round resort with waterpark and hotel for Liseberg
by Tom Walker | 30 Jun 2022
Liseberg theme park in Sweden has confirmed the opening date for its new Grand Curiosa hotel. A highly themed family hotel, the Grand Curiosa will have 457 family rooms, a restaurant with a fully functional merry-go-round from 1923, and a rooftop bistro with a view of the park and several bars. The theming has been inspired by the history of its home city, Gothenburg, and the West Swedish East India
Juneteenth Museum by Bjarke Ingels Group has been designed to inspire spiritual uplift
by Tom Walker | 22 Jun 2022
Detailed plans have been revealed for the National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, US. Designed by architects Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the 50,000sq ft visitor attraction will anchor a larger mixed-use development on the Historic Southside of Fort Worth. It will explore the events of June 19, 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger issued Order No. 3, in essence declaring that “all slaves are free” in the state of
BIG and HOK's timber concept wins Zurich Airport competition
by Tom Walker | 20 Jun 2022
A team of architects led by BIG and HOK have won an international competition to design the largest dock of Zurich Airport in Switzerland. Composed predominantly of regional wood, The new Dock A and adjacent buildings seek to strengthen the airport’s continued status as the gateway of Switzerland. Bjarke Ingels, BIG founder and creative director, said: “As airports grow and evolve and as international guidelines and safety requirements change, airports
Christoph Ingenhoven reveals Lanserhof Sylt, featuring the largest thatched roof in Europe
by Megan Whitby | 09 Jun 2022
Medical spa brand, Lanserhof Group, has welcomed the first guests to its all-new coastal health resort on the German island of Sylt. With plans for the 55-key property first revealed in 2017, Lanserhof has invested more than €120m (US$128.6m, £102.6m) to bring the property to fruition. Currently in a soft opening phase, Lanserhof Sylt joins the group’s four other properties: the original, Lans, in the Tyrol region of Austria; Lanserhof
BIG's designs Prague concert hall to be vibrant centre of life
by Tom Walker | 18 May 2022
Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) have been selected as the architect for the Vltava Philharmonic Hall in Prague, Czech Republic. The first national concert hall to be built in the country in 100 years, the venue will be the home of the famous Prague Symphony Orchestra and will have an audience capacity of more than 1,800. BIG – which won an international competition between 19 other architectural practices to secure the
Mather & Co-designed Gretna Green Experience opens to the public
by Tom Walker | 10 May 2022
A visitor attraction celebrating the history of the Scottish parish of Gretna Green – and its heritage as a destination for 'runaway marriages – has opened to the public. Gretna Green, located just inside Scotland on the border with England, first became famous for its weddings nearly 260 years ago, following the Clandestine Marriages Act 1753. The act prevented couples under the age of 21 from marrying in England or
Project to save last major bellfoundry which cast bells for St Paul's and Washington National Cathedral
by Tom Walker | 28 Apr 2022
A project to save the UK's last major bellfoundry has moved to the next stage, with the launch of a tender to find contractors for the redevelopment work. The Loughborough Bellfoundry was built in 1859 and has since cast and sent 25,000 bells to more than 100 countries. Bells made at the foundry can be found at some of the world's most iconic buildings, including London’s St Paul’s Cathedral, the
Perkins & Will reveals designs for net-zero sports and cultural centre in Toronto
by Tom Walker | 28 Apr 2022
Global design practice Perkins & Will has unveiled plans for a net-zero operational carbon community sports centre, health club and cultural hub in Toronto, Canada. A first-of-its-kind for Ontario, the multi-purpose centre is set to achieve net-zero status through energy-efficient design and renewable energy systems, while adding much-needed facilities for the local community. Called North East Scarborough Community and Child Care Centre, the building has three levels. The lower level
World’s first living waterslides announced for Therme Manchester
by Tom Walker | 25 Apr 2022
Therme Manchester – the £250m indoor ‘next generation’ waterpark, thermal bathing and a wellbeing spa, opening in 2025 – will include the world's first "living waterslides". The waterslides are part of the resort's focus on biophilic design and will feature 3D-printed structures housing thousands of biodiverse plants. Thanks to their design, the slides will be made to look like tree trunks, with plants growing out of them. Due to its
company profile
Try cladmag for free!
Sign up with CLAD to receive our regular ezine, instant news alerts, free digital subscriptions to CLADweek, CLADmag and CLADbook and to request a free sample of the next issue of CLADmag.
sign up
features
Catalogue Gallery
Click on a catalogue to view it online
To advertise in our catalogue gallery: call +44(0)1462 431385
features
features
"Funding woes and murky timelines are common problems. It can be easier to make a difference one small project at a time"
From parks designed to mitigate the effects of flooding to warming huts for one of the world’s coldest cities, these projects have been designed for increasingly extreme climates
From parks designed to mitigate the effects of flooding to warming huts for one of the world’s coldest cities, these projects have been designed for increasingly extreme climates
cladkit product news
The new Experience Centre houses a 20m LED dome
Cosm, a global technology company that builds end-to-end solutions for immersive experiences, has unveiled its Experience Centre which houses a
...
The showerhead offers two modes; rainfall or waterfall
Italian architect Alberto Apostoli has renewed his partnership with Newform – an Italian wellness company – and designed A.Zeta. A.Zeta
...
cladkit product news
Jaffe Holden provided architectural acoustics for the Academy Museum
Acoustical consulting firm Jaffe Holden provided architectural acoustics and audio/video design services for the recently opened Academy Museum of Motion
...
Almost 300 drones were used to signal an environmental message above the Eden Project’s biomes, during the UN Climate Change
...
cladkit product news
The new lock model allows facilities and building managers to create and manage access via an app or online portal
Codelocks has launched its first glass door smart lock to bring intelligent access control to modern spa, leisure, fitness and
...
Alemanno believes the stones are well-placed in the spa environment thanks to their capacity to positively support physical and mental health
Fabio Alemanno Design has expanded its collection with semi-precious stones to enhance spas, wellness facilities, hotels and private residences. The
...
