Olympic games information pavilion competition results
The Olympic Games sees the biggest and most prestigious sporting event in the world being staged for the unprecedented third time in London next year, thus making London the first city in the world to host the modern summer games for a third time.
EARCH.CZ , 25. 8. 2011
London is the largest urban zone in the European Union with a cosmopolitan population of over 7.7 million residence. The London Games is being eagerly anticipated by millions of sporting fans around the world. The Games, which officially kicks off on the 27th July 2012 will see the arrival of world’s top athletes and their team officials representing various participating nations, international dignitaries, the Games officials and not to mention millions of supporters and fans.
Aim of the competition
The aim of this International competition was to design a temporary, freestanding information pavilion within the world famous Trafalgar Square in the Heart of London during the 2012 Games.
Winning team
Jose Carlos Cruz Ines Guedes Miguel Santos Antonio Cruz
country: Portugal
Judge's report
This project was chosen as the overall winner for its elegance, beautiful draughtsmanship and because, as a scheme, it is highly topical to the brief. Although it might seem quite literal, it is a project that lends great potential to the architecture below the ‘rings’: curving spaces with intriguing opportunities for natural light and views. After much deliberation, the Judges thought that it captured the spirit of the games most effectively while showing great spatial awareness and exhibiting an understanding of the significance of the space around it, with which it co-‐exists happily. It is a proposal with a clear idea, interlinking and creating a harmonious exchange with everything around it. This design is very effective: the familiar rings, clearly visible from above, invite visitors to investigate the intriguing space below. An aerial shot of the Pavilion complements the London Skyline and emphasises the Olympics spirit, showcasing the other monuments around it. The use of recycled steel, with the possibilities it offers, adds to the attraction of this proposal; it captures and complements the stonework of the existing structures around it, especially for a summer games. The use of a 360 degree plan works effectively for this particular situation, because it interfaces with all of Trafalgar Square and allows visitors to interact with the pavilion from various points. This effect is further enhanced by the use of a mirroring effect, creating an interaction with the square. With no back to the site, the proposal is welcoming on all sides.
Jury
Matthew Lloyd – Architect (British)
Brigitte Lodolini – Architect/Lecturer (French)
Juan Carlos Sanchez Rodriguez – Architect (Colombian)
Prizes
Winning participants received prizes totaling US$ 5,400 with the distribution as follows: 1st PRIZE: US$ 3,000 (THREE THOUSAND US DOLLARS) 2nd PRIZE: US$ 1,600 (ONE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED US DOLLARS) 3rd PRIZE: US$ 800 (EIGHT HUNDRED US DOLLARS) There were also be 7 honorable mentions.
More info about the [AC-‐CA] Architectural Competition here.
