Hermann Kaufmann wins Finnish wood architecture award

 

“Hermann Kaufmann continues the work of the generations before him. He builds of wood, sustainably and beautifully, with people and for people. The International Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award is a tribute to his career and work, the value of which extends over decades and borders,” says professor and architect Matti Rautiola, who chaired the jury.

 

The current recognition is the sixth in the history of the award, established in 1999 by the Wood in Culture Association. The association was set up to promote and foster cultural traditions inspired by nature. The award has been made possible by the support of the Finnish Forest Foundation.

 

The Wood in Culture Association has established a new prize, the Young Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award, to complement the International Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award. The new award recognizes an architectural diploma project in which wood plays a central role. The award is designed to encourage young architects to use wood. The first winner, announced together with Hermann Kaufmann, is Finnish architect Sanna Jokimäki, SAFA.

 

The ceremony for both awards takes place in Sibelius Hall in Lahti on September 10, 2010.

 

The Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award is granted every second year. The first award winner in 2000 was Italian architect Renzo Piano. The subsequent winners were Kengo Kuma of Japan (2002), Richard Leplastrier of Australia (2004), Peter Zumthor of Switzerland (2006) and José Cruz Ovalle of Chile (2008).

 

 

Wood Architecture Park in Lahti

 

Buildings and structures designed by the recipients of the International Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award (and in one case, by an architect serving on the jury) are placed in the Wood Architecture Park, which is under development in the vicinity of Sibelius Hall in Lahti.

 

Three items have been completed by 2010: Illuminated Canopy by Kengo Kuma, Wooden Spiral by Richard Leplastrier, and the Piano Pavilion by Gert Wingårdh of Sweden. The pavilion is in honour of Piano, designed in his style and according to his concept.

 

Peter Zumthor’s Viewing Terrace is scheduled for completion in 2011. José Cruz Ovalle will design a structure named Aqua on the waterfront, which will also serve to hide a gas station.

 

The construction of the Wood Architecture Park is enabled through cooperation between the Wood in Culture Association and the City of Lahti.