contractworld.award 2009

Deutsche Messe Hannover invites entries for “contractworld.award 2009”. The prestigious European architecture prize for interior design is now being offered for the ninth successive year. In order to make the competition even more attractive for all those taking part, the total prize money for 2009 has been increased to 60,000 euros. The award is the most valuable of its kind in Europe. In the words of Stephan Ph. Kühne, member of the Board of Deutsche Messe AG: “The contractworld.award has established itself as a firm fixture in the international world of architecture and design. We are looking forward with great interest to this year’s entries and new ideas.” Intending entrants can register for the competition up until 6 June 2008.

The contractworld.award is presented each year for innovative interior design concepts in four categories:

1. Offices/Administration buildings
Office buildings, administration buildings (e.g. for banks, insurance companies, government departments and local authorities), conference and congress centres, studios, workplaces large and small.

2. Hotels/Spas/Catering facilities
Hotels, guesthouses, hostels, spas and wellness suites, restaurants, cafés, bistros, bars, clubs, lounges, casinos, canteens.

3. Shops/Showrooms/Exhibition stands
Shop concepts, stores, showrooms and sales fl oors, exhibition stands, shopping centres, malls.

4. Conversion
Conversions of buildings originally constructed for religious, cultural or public use, such as churches, monasteries/convents, railway stations and derelict industrial buildings, which have been redesigned and structurally altered to serve a new purpose.

Competition entries
Entrants may submit design concepts for interiors which have been realized after 31.12.2004, and which stand out by virtue of their quality, functionality, aesthetic value and their innovative treatment of space, materials, colour and surface texture or finish. A maximum of three projects perentrant may be submitted in one or more categories.

Eligibility
The competition is open to architects, interior designers and design professionals. Building owners and product manufacturers may also submit entries, provided they indicate the names of the architects, interior designers and design professionals responsible for the project in question.

Assessment Criteria
The entries will be assessed in accordance with the following criteria:
* Coherent architectural and formal language
* Innovative and coherent spatial concepts
* Quality of design and atmosphere
* Functionality and flexibility of use
* Sustainability and ergonomics
* Environmentally aware construction methods
* Innovation in the use of materials, texture, colour and surface finish

The Prize Awards
Prizes will be awarded to a total value of EUR 60,000.

The prizes in each of the individual categories are as follows:
* Best of Category EUR 7,000
* 2nd prize EUR 4,000
* 3rd prize EUR 3,000
* Special-mention awards EUR 2,000

Two special awards will be presented, each to the value of EUR 2000. These will be awarded exclusively to “New Generation” entrants (architects under the age of 40) responsible for avant-garde projects.

The jury reserves the right to draw up a shortlist of projects considered especially worthy of mention.

The prize money will go to the designer (architect, interior designer, etc) of the award-winning project.

All of the prize-winners will receive a trophy specially designed for the contractworld.award by the renowned designer Konstantin Grcic as well as a special certificate.

www.contractworld.com