The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies has announced that LAVA-Laboratory for Visionary Architecture has been named as the 2016 Laureate of the European Prize for Architecture.

The Laureate is awarded by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design, together with The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. The European Prize for Architecture is Europe’s most prestigious prize given annually to architects who have ‘blazoned a new path and direction for an architecture that is deeply humane and committed to forward the principles of European humanism’.

Beijing Watercube, 2008. Image courtesy of LAVA

''We are thrilled to receive such an important award from such a prestigious organisation and humbled to join the honour board of outstanding previous winners such as Calatrava, Ingels and Graft,'' said LAVA Directors, Chris Bosse, Tobias Wallisser and Alexander Rieck. 

Bosse, Wallisser and Rieck founded LAVA in 2007 as a network of creative designers with offices in Sydney, Stuttgart and Berlin. Early projects included the city centre of Masdar, an eco city in UAE, and a commission by sports star, Michael Schumacher, to design a series of towers. 

Green Void in Stuttgart, Germany, 2008. Image courtesy of LAVA

''We are very pleased to be recognised as architects who are not only interested in the production of square metres but interested in the broader development of the discipline, constantly trying to shift boundaries and to redefine what architecture can achieve today. How can we create spaces suitable for contemporary lifestyles and how can we contribute towards an environment that offers quality for everyone?,'' added Tobias Wallisser, Berlin based Director.

Classroom of the Future in Australia, 2011. Image courtesy of LAVA

“When we founded our practise and called it a ‘laboratory’ for ‘visionary architecture’ rather than naming it office xyz or by our names we defined our programme. We want to explore and test new ideas, but always with a clear agenda in mind: how can architecture contribute to the development of a liveable environment using the new technology at hand?,'' Wallisser added.

Greenland Display Suite Sydney, 2013. Image courtesy of LAVA

Alexander Rieck Stuttgart based director said: “We’re very honoured to receive this important prize which shows that people are recognising our effort to push the boundaries of architecture. Sometimes it is important to step back from daily work and to redefine the strategy. We’re always questioning ourselves, seeking ways to do things better. This is driving us to find new solutions and designs. When architecture is the mirror of ?society – and we see society changing dramatically – how will architecture change in the next years?”

Hainan Ocean Flower Resort in China, Under construction, due for completion 2020. Image courtesy of LAVA

Sydney-based Director of LAVA Chris Bosse said: ''We are thrilled to receive this award. I was raised and trained in Germany and now run an interdisciplinary studio in Sydney that merges European sensitivity and technology with Australian lifestyle and connection with nature. The office has become a breeding ground for European and Australian talent alike.''

Harbin Ice Hotel in China, concept development. Image courtesy of LAVA

LAVA projects currently under construction include a university master plan and headquarters in Riyadh, a youth sports hostel in Bayreuth, mixed use projects in Berlin and Hangzhou, and villas in HCMC. Recently completed are the Philips company headquarters and showroom in Eindhoven, and a terrace house renovation and an airport retail fit out in Sydney. “Each of our different scale projects across the globe represents the synthesis of our vision and research over the years.”

Russ The Bus, mobile library in Sydney, 2015. Image courtesy of LAVA

Previous laureates of The European Prize for Architecture include: Santiago Calatrava (2015) Spain/Swiss; Italian Architect, Alessandro Mendini (2014); Finnish Architect, Marco Casagrande (2013); Norwegian firm, TYIN tegnestue Architects (2012); German firm, Graft Architekten (2011); and Danish architect, Bjarke Ingels (2010).

LAVA Directors. Chris Bosse, Alexander Rieck, Tobias Wallisser. Image courtesy of LAVA

Top image: LAVA's installation for MTV Awards stage in Sydney, 2009, courtesy of LAVA.

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