schmidt hammer lassen architects Scoop LEAF Awards Grand Prix

Scandinavian practice schmidt hammer lassen architects has won the prestigious Emirates Glass LEAF Awards Grand Prix for its Performers House project, a modern version of a Danish folk high school, situated in the heart of Silkeborg, Denmark

The project – centered on a 19th-century paper mill - was commended for the simplicity of the design, characterized by the choice of materials as well as the successful transformation of an existing historic boiler house. The new building is linked to the refurbished boiler house by a new square where many folk high school activities take place, reinforcing connections with the local community.

schmidt hammer lassen architects’ choice of non-traditional materials provides a striking counterpoint to the existing buildings.  The architects’ aim was to provide the best possible physical environment in order to encourage fellowship and co-operation in a folk high school, where educational and the social aspirations form an integral part of the curriculum. At the same time, the building has been designed to connect the folk high school to the town by offering a vibrant environment for the local community, including cafés, a music theater, cinemas and a media center.

The building celebrates its constituent parts – internally, ducting and ventilation systems are honestly expressed.  Externally, the new building is clad with boldly perforated rust-red steel panels. After dark, the internal lights shine through the circular apertures incised into the façade, turning the building into an animated beacon shining its light over the surrounding area. In this way, the building appears to be perpetually in motion, becoming itself a ‘performer’.

The Leaf Awards has a track record of recognizing the world’s most innovative and exciting architectural practices. Previous winners of the influential award include David Chipperfield Architects’ America’s Cup Foredeck Building in Valencia and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP’s ARB bank Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Commenting on the award, Bjarne Hammer, Partner at schmidt hammer lassen architects says: “Our ambition for Performers House was to design a building that opens up, inspires curiosity and invites the community inside. To achieve this, the ground floor of the new building has a glass facade that can be partially moved to one side, which transforms the external balcony into a performance arena. Students and local people can come together here to create music, dance and theater performances on this urban stage“.

“The new square was designed to be the natural center for all activities – a foyer, a stage, an interval space and a rehearsal room are all divisible into smaller, more intimate sections. It is built on an existing town square and now links the folk high school and the town’s key public space. “

The prestigious Emirates Glass LEAF Awards, now in their fifth year, have rapidly become one of the most sought-after international architectural prizes, recognizing excellence in architectural design and build. LEAF awards are open to all companies, individuals and technologies that have made an outstanding contribution to international architecture.

This year there are 9 award categories including the Grand Prix Winner which specifically focuses on the new build projects. The winners of each category, which celebrate architectural excellence in the fields of innovation, structural and interior design across both private and public sectors, are listed below.

• Mixed-Use Building of the Year: schmidt hammer lassen architects for Performers’ House in Denmark
• Residential Building of the Year (single story): bgp arquitectura for Black House in Mexico
• Residential Building of the Year (multi story): PCKO Architects for eScape in the UK
• Commercial Building of the Year (public): Kengo Kuma & Associates for the Suntory Museum of Art in Japan
• Commercial Building of the Year (business): John McAslan & Partners for 28 Dorset Square in the UK
• International Interior Design Award: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill for GSC Offices in the USA
• Young Architect: Xavier Vilalta Studio for Arreletes Day-Care Centre in Spain
• Best Sustainable Development: LSI Architects LLP for Cley Marshes Visitor Centre in the UK
• New Innovation of the Year: WSP Architectural Design Consulting for Long Shan Church in China
• Best Structural Design of the Year: Foster & Partners for Beijing International Airport Terminal in China
• Grand Prix Winner: schmidt hammer lassen architects for Performers’ House in Denmark

Images: schmidt hammer lassen architects