Awarded every two years by the Barbara Cappocin Foundation and the Union of Architects of the Italian province of Padua, this award is designed to promote high quality design in contemporary architecture, as well as a commitment to sustainability and resource conservation. It should also stimulate research and discussion of problems in this area, as well as - draw comparisons between the architecture of the province of Padua and the architecture of the rest of the world. Such modest intentions, however, do not prevent the Barbara Cappocin Foundation from awarding it for the third time to original and high-quality buildings in different parts of the globe.
This year, the Grand Prix (60,000 euros) was awarded to the Finnish architect Matti Sanaksenaho for his St. Henrik chapel on the island of Hirvensalo near Turku. This sacred building is inspired by the idea of uniting all Christians under the auspices of the ecumenical movement. It stands on a wooded hill, surrounded by the buildings of the cancer center. The building is built of wood, its roof is sheathed with copper sheets; this metal will eventually become covered with a green patina and almost merge in color with the surrounding vegetation.
The inner space of the chapel resembles the belly of a fish - the symbol of the first Christians. The complex also includes a small art gallery behind the altar. Thus, religious rituals and communication with art take place in the same space; according to the architect, this is a reference to the Italian churches of the Renaissance, filled with a variety of works of art. Light enters the chapel through two large windows in the west and east facades.
An additional award from the Barbara Cappocin Foundation for the quality of construction (6,000 euros) was awarded to a project by Malaysian architect Lim Huat, a visitor center for Cameron Highlands Natural Park. This graceful structure is located on the crest of a hill and overhangs a green valley. Factory-made metal parts were used as the main building material to minimize environmental pollution during construction.
The Prize for the construction in the province of Padua was awarded to the architect Adolfo Zanetti for the ensemble of the educational complex.
