News / EAA news

Participants for the second stage of the competition for designing a building for the Arvo Pärt Centre have been selected

17.02.2014

The Arvo Pärt Centre, in collaboration with the Union of Estonian Architects (UEA), is organising an international two-stage design contest to build the Arvo Pärt Centre in Laulasmaa, near Tallinn, and to find the best architectural solution. In the first stage, 71 applications from around the world were received by the deadline, and 20 participants shall continue in the second stage.

Both Michael Pärt, the chairman of the contest’s committee, and Peeter Pere, Chairman of the UEA, admit that the high level of competence of participants made the selection process difficult. According to Michael Pärt, they had to intensively work through a very rich and significant selection of architects from around the world. The objective was to identify those whose previous professional creations fit best with the concept and needs of the Arvo Pärt Centre.

“I was very moved by my fellow jury members, as their experience contributed greatly towards our inspiring and creative jury sittings." confirmed Michael Pärt. “I am looking forward towards the next phase of our path towards realising the new "Kellasalu" grounds of the APK in Laulasmaa,” he added.

The selection committee, which included a representative of the Arvo Pärt Centre, Michael Pärt, architectural historian Andres Kurg, Head Producer of Eesti Kontsert, Madis Kolk, Chairman of UEA, Peeter Pere, architect Ra Luhse, and lawyer Indrek Kukk, selected 20 architectural firms that were invited to participate in the second stage of the contest.

Based on the ranking of the first stage’s evaluation results, the following participants were selected for the second stage of the design contest (listed alphabetically):

1. Allied Works Architecture, USA

2. Alver Arhitektid OÜ, Estonia

3. Arhitektibüroo Emil Urbel, Estonia

4. AZPML, United Kingdom

5. Claudio Silvestrin Architects, United Kingdom

6. COOP HIMMELB(L)AU, Austria

7. Henning Larsen Architects, Denmark

8. Jensen & Skodvin Arkitekter AS, Norway

9. Johan Celsing Arkitektkontor AB, Sweden

10. Kavakava OÜ, Estonia

11. KOKO Arhitektid OÜ, Estonia

12. Kolm Pluss Üks OÜ, Estonia

13. Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos SLP, Spain

14. OFFICE Kersten Geers David van Severen, Belgium

15. OFIS arhitekti, Slovenia

16. Rick Joy Architects, USA

17. Salto AB OÜ, Estonia

18. Schneider+Schumacher Planungsgesellschaft, Germany

19. Stuudio Tallinn OÜ, Estonia

20. Zaha Hadid Architects, United Kingdom

 

Peeter Pere admits that these 20 participants form a very eclectic group, who will all continue in the contest anonymously and from the same starting point. “Paradoxically, a unique style of Estonian music and a unique composer are bringing to life a unique type of architecture. This is all taking place away from official centres of attraction, with the end result being that the pine forest chosen for the centre’s building has become extraordinarily attractive,” said Pere.

The Arvo Pärt Centre building shall be built on the Lohusalu Peninsula in Laulasmaa, Harju County. The future building shall have proper storage facilities for archival items. The new building will provide the opportunity to expand the activities of the Arvo Pärt Centre, for instance, to cooperate with researchers, organise educational programmes, conferences, exhibitions, and music and film nights. This way the centre can be more open to all visitors.

The prize fund for the two-stage design contest is EUR 30,000. The winning design shall be announced on 20 June 2014.

The Arvo Pärt Centre, in collaboration with the Union of Estonian Architects, is organising the design contest. The contest website is located at http://www.arhliit.ee/apc.

Additional information

Peeter Pere, Chairman of the Union of Estonian Architects

611 7430, info@arhliit.ee

Anu Kivilo, Managing Director of Arvo Pärt Centre

604 0470, anu@arvopart.ee

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