ARKxSITE has announced the winners for the Site Temple international architecture ideas competition.

This international one-stage architecture ideas competition invited all architecture students, young architects and young professionals with a degree in architecture studies (≤ 40 years old) to develop and submit compelling ideas for the design of a Site Temple located at the ‘Vera Cruz da Figueira’ Fortress, Algarve, Portugal.

The ‘Vera Cruz da Figueira’ Fortress, isolated on a prominent location, is a powerful natural scenery with shear cliffs dropping dramatically into the Atlantic Ocean. The stone wall traces rise from the landscape and the cliff surface eroded by the wind and water are notable features within this setting.

When generating a vision for an intervention located within such a remarkable place, it was essential that each design proposal would emphasize, respect and celebrate the site and existing ruins, while providing a unique and memorable experience. 

The Site Temple is a secluded place to enhance a meditative experience of solitude while stimulating the senses through the elements of light, matter and water; an intimate journey to immerse oneself into silence and profound tranquility.

Jury composed of: Ard de Vries (Amsterdam, Netherlands) - Ard de Vries Architecten, Alejandro Guerrero + Andrea Soto (Jalisco, México) - Atelier ARS, Onorato di Manno + Andrea Tanci (Rome, Italy) - SET Architects.

Image courtesy of Sebastjan Cvelbar

1st prize: Sebastjan Cvelbar (Slovenija)

Jury remarks:

"As found" is interpreted by us as a manifesto of the sacred space discovered as you approach it, in proximity, a hypostyle hall evoking classic temples, the act of manipulating the ground creates a highly discrete landscape and, simultaneously a powerful atmosphere. Ultimately, the proposal is bold but most of all, silent.

The project proposes a solemn, elegant and contemplative space. The slender structure allows inserting an ephemeral element with a strong identity in the natural environment. The roof becomes a shared public space to live and admire the landscape from.

Metaphysical surprise. The design adds spaces so that existing spaces need to be reinterpreted.

Congratulations!

Image courtesy of Ditte Horsbøl Sørensen and Jens-Ejnar Mortensen

2nd prize: Ditte Horsbøl Sørensen and Jens-Ejnar Mortensen (Denmark)

Jury remarks:

"Celebrating erosion", the title itself alludes one of the most complex themes in landscape and architecture: time. This proposal explores beautifully the passing of time by bringing the possibility of capturing the memory of the site, a natural process transformed in a phenomenological experience, enclosing the most sacred, earth and water.

The project is well integrated with the place and the land becoming part of it. The use of light and the atmosphere of the interior spaces is very interesting.

The design ensures a modest continuity. The existing story is supplemented with a carefully new story. This creates new perspectives.

Congratulations!

Image courtesy of Marc Viaud, Victor Dussap and Roxana Hosu

3rd prize: Marc Viaud, Victor Dussap and Roxana Hosu (France)

Jury remarks:

"Among the walls" works with one of the most important themes that are related historically to sacred spaces: the enclosure, understanding that the limits in landscape and architecture led us to identify our place in relation to nature. There is a subtle balance between the void and the built.

The project proposes a landmark with a strong identity and an interesting contemplative space.

The design emphasizes what has been.

Congratulations!

The competition also selected 7 Honorable Mentions.

Honorable Mentions

Catalina Edey (AUSTRALIA)
Alessandro Perri and Flavio Fameli (ITALY)
Ángel Rubio Sánchez (SPAIN)
Francisco Ornelas, João Brogueira, Duarte Rosa and Ana Ruivo (PORTUGAL)
Uliana Kravchenko and Fedor Bolshakov (RUSSIA)
Nuno Jorge Simas (PORTUGAL)
Simon Pietro Blini and Isolde Michelazzi (ITALY)

All images courtesy of ARKxSITE 

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