UPD 9/3/2010: The Schmidt Hammer Lassen version was recognized as the best of the prize-winners of the competition.
The first place was taken by the German architects Ingenhoven Architects, the second - by the Danes Schmidt Hammer Lassen, the third - by the Dutchman Wil Arets.
Christoph Ingenhoven's bureau project was recognized for its alignment with ICC values: transparency and efficiency; The jury called it a “happy building”, which creates a new democratic image of the court and reflects a deep philosophy of justice.
Schmidt Hammer Lassen, working in collaboration with Bosch & Fjord, attempted to convey impartiality and compassion key messages to the International Court of Justice in their complex of multi-height prismatic towers mounted on a rectangular base.
Ville Arets's version - pyramidal towers surrounded by a tall green fence - was awarded by the jury as the most original.
Despite the prizes awarded, the best bid to be used in the final design of the building has yet to be determined.
In the coming months, negotiations will be held with all three winners, and at the beginning of 2009 it is planned to sign a contract with one of them. The project of the court complex will be fully completed in 2010, and construction will begin in 2011 and will be completed in 2014.
In total, 19 bureaus from around the world took part in the closed competition (including OMA, Mecano, Notelings Ridijk, Sauerbruch Hatton, workshops of David Chipperfield, Moshe Safdie, Kengo Kuma and Bernardo Gomez-Pimienti). The selection criteria were the harmonious inclusion of the new building in the urban and natural environment (it will be located next to the coastal strip of dunes), the aesthetic value of the architectural image, compliance with safety rules and principles of rational use of resources.
