Z33 is a finalist for the Mies van der Rohe Award 2022
Francesca Torzo's new exhibition wing for Z33 is one of the five finalists for the Mies van der Rohe Award 2022 in the category 'Architecture'. The building for the Hasselt-based House for Contemporary Art, Design & Architecture clearly convinced the jury. The winner will be announced at the end of April.
The five finalists
The 5 Architecture Finalist works are: 85 Social Housing Units, Cornellà deLlobregat, by peris+toral.arquitectes; Frizz23, Berlin, by Deadline (BrittaJürgens + Matthew Griffin); the Railway Farm, Paris, by Grand Huit and Melanie Drevet Paysagiste;Town House-Kingston University, London, by Grafton Architects; Z33 House for Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture, Hasselt, by Francesca Torzo. The winners will be announced in Brussels at the end of April. The award ceremony will take place on 12 May 2022 at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona.
The Jury considered that the finalist works encourage and become models and references for local city policies. They tackle with new management models based on the community and circular sustainability processes. The works also focus on the productive and self sufficient city which is developed in a pedagogical way, dignifying the space that we inhabit and use. They are also a result of well-developed construction processes, and the care in the use of materials and details: a dignification of the day to day architecture, a dialogue between monumentality, education and heritage.
The power of introvert, sensory architecture
Thanks to Francesca Torzo, the new House for Contemporary Art, Design & Architecture offers a total experience to visitors. Adinda Van Geystelen, artistic director Z33:
"The new exhibition wing leaves no one untouched. Torzo built a house that meets the needs and the DNA of Z33. Away from the classic white cube art institution, she created a place where things are allowed to happen, where people feel at home. There are few buildings that play with all the tools you have at your disposal as an architect: the play of light, the alternation of large and small spaces, materials such as brick and concrete, patios with greenery, the vistas and different perspectives, ... That is the power of this exhibition wing. Francesca Torzo masterfully plays on all the senses, in every detail with great craftsmanship."
Mies van der Rohe Award 2022
The European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture or Mies van der Rohe Award is a biennial prize awarded by the European Union and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe for the best architectural contribution in Europe. Its main objectives are to gain an understanding of the transformation of the built environment; to recognise and celebrate excellence and innovation in the field of architecture; and to draw attention to the important contribution of architects to the development of new ideas with the undeniable support of clients and the involvement of those who will become the inhabitants and users of these places.
This edition had the most nominated works so far: 532 works were nominated for the 2022 prize. An expert jury previously announced the shortlist of 40 works, including three Belgian projects.
