Winners have been announced for the 2021 Philippe Rotthier European Prize for Architecture. The winners' works have contributed to enhancing the environment while respecting this year's theme of "Spirit of the place". 

The 100 candidate projects came from 17 European countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom. 

Seven projects were also submitted from the following countries: Bangladesh, Benin, Gambia, India, Israel, Morocco, Mauritius, Mexico and Saudi Arabia.

"Anandaloy" (Reception centre for handicapped persons and sewing workshop for women “Dipdii Textiles”) in Rudrapur, Bangladesh. Image © Kurt Hoerbst

German architect Anna Heringer has won The Grand Prix Phillipe Rotthier (€20,000) for her project "Anandaloy" (Reception centre for handicapped persons and sewing workshop for women “Dipdii Textiles”) in Rudrapur, Bangladesh.

Anna Heringer and her team designed a reception centre for handicapped persons and sewing workshop for women, known as Anandaloy, in Rudrapur in northern Bangladesh. 

The building was constructed in mud and bamboo in cooperation with the inhabitants of the village and in the framework of a partnership between Bangladesh and Germany. The building celebrates human diversity and radiates beauty. This project is accompanied by a textile and clothing production programme that provides women with an opportunity to remain with their families and to contribute to the family income. The large ramp running from the ground to the first floor is testimony to the commitment of the entire community to this integration project.

Philippe Rotthier Prize for "The Reconstruction and Enhancement of the Local Heritage": M’Hamid Oasis. Image © Terrachidia

The Philippe Rotthier Prize (€15,000) went to "The Reconstruction and Enhancement of the Local Heritage" project designed by the Spanish association Terrachidia for its action in the renaissance of the M’Hamid Oasis in Zagora, southern Morocco.

The jury praised the project for its educational action in the long term that aims to promote the knowledge and practice of traditional architecture, with a strong social impact and an opportunity for development for the inhabitants.

Special Jury Prize: Journalist Stéphane Bern. Image courtes of the Philippe Rotthier European Prize.

The Special Jury Prize has been awarded to the French writer and journalist Stéphane Bern for his determining role in promoting awareness, protection and enhancement of the architectural heritage through his television programmes such as Secrets d’histoire and Villages, Monuments and Jardins préférés des français.

He has shared his passion with millions of people and inspired many heritage vocations. He has himself acted to safeguard a 17th century college. The 'Heritage Lotto" created as part of the mission conferred upon him by the French President also helps to save threatened monuments by closely involving the general public in the cause.

Artistic Mentions included Onzgi, artist and architect from Switzerland for the artist's project "Somewhere", RAAAF ǀ Atelier de Lyon from the Netherlands for the artist's project Deltawerk in Waterloopbos.

Kapelle Salgenreute Chapel in Krumbach, Austria by Bernardo Bader architekten. Image © Adolf Bereuter

Five other Mentions included the projects Salgenreute Chapel in Krumbach, Austria by Bernardo Bader architekten, Philibert’s project (modular housing prototype) in Les Pechs du Vers, France by Pierre-François Limbosch and Frédéric Grousset, Mantinum (vertical link between the Old Port and Place du Donjon and Jardin Romieu) in Bastia, Corsica, France by Buzzo Spinelli Architecture, Melopee School in Ghent, Belgium by Xaveer De Geyter Architects and Auditorium-theatre in the old quarter of Illueca, Spain by Magén Arquitectos – Jaime Magén, Francisco Javier Magén. 

The remaining 18 projects received Nominations by the jury. The jury was held under the presidency of Maurice Culot and in the presence of Philippe Rotthier, founder of the prize. 

The jury members composed of: Xavier Bohl (Architect, France), Pier Carlo Bontempi (Architect, Italy), Javier Cenicacelaya (Architect, Spain), Christophe Cormy Donat (Architect, laureate 2017), Francis Metzger (Architect, Belgium), William Pesson (Architect, France), Alireza Sagharchi (Architect, Great Britain), Martin van Schaik (Architect, the Netherlands). 

The award ceremony will take place on 23 October 2021 at the CIVA in Brussels. It will be accompanied by an exhibition and a catalogue, in French and English.

Top image: Grand Prix Phillipe Rotthier: Anandaloy by Anna Heringer. Image © Kurt Hoerbst

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