Winning double, a possibility – Kiruna and Aabenraa are candidates for an MIPIM Award
White Arkitekter has the possibility of winning one of Europe’s most prestigious architecture awards for a second consecutive year. Two projects are on the MIPIM Awards 2016 nomination list. Aabenraa Psychiatric Clinic in Denmark is in the final rounds in the category “Healthcare” and Plans for the Future Kiruna is competitive in the category “The Best Future Mega Projects”. The winners will be awarded on March 17 at the Palais de Festivals in Cannes.
"We are unbelievably proud to have two of our submissions reaching the finals at one of Europe’s most significant competitions for architecture. It’s a confirmation of the relevancy of our work on an international level. At the same time, it is especially rewarding to be acknowledged for being a forerunner in healthcare architecture and sustainable urban development", says Carl Bäckstrand, Vice President, White Arkitekter.
The 115 bed psychiatric clinic in Aabenraa was inaugurated in 2015. It welcomes patients of all ages with an architecture that can strengthen a patient’s feeling of safety while also promoting contact with the outside world during treatment. The building is fan-shaped revolving around a central axis. Patients have access to gardens, terraces, exterior spaces and locations for training as well as the un-manicured nature which surrounds the clinic. From private consultations in quiet rooms to generously sized rooms for group exercise – the interior is designed to support social interaction of all forms.
Kiruna, an urban transformation project, is a collaboration between White, the local municipality and inhabitants. Since winning an international competition in 2013, White has developed the initial plans that map out the extents of the new Kiruna; included are a city centre, square and city hall. The dialogue with the residents of Kiruna creates a strong foundation for the work by creating a tight, rich urban fabric with a variety of places to meet.
"Last year, White was the only Swedish architecture firm advancing to the final and ultimately taking home an MIPIM Award for Würths new headquarters in Örebro in the Industry and Logistics category. Winning at Cannes is certainly an honour and generates attention at the international level for White and our clients", says Carl Bäckstrand.
Marché international des professionnels de l’immobilier, MIPIM, is one of the most important fairs for the real estate industry in Europe. Taking place annually in Cannes, France, last year’s event hosted a record of over 20,000 visitors.
(Image: White and Tegmark)
Vice President, White Arkitekter
+46(0)70-299 68 43, carl.backstrand@white.se
White Arkitekter was founded by Sidney White in 1951 and is Scandinavia’s leading architectural firm with over 800 employees working in 14 offices in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and the UK. Our work is research focused and our expertise encompasses architecture, urban design, landscape architecture and interior design.
For nearly two decades, White has invested in establishing a unique research-based department of highly qualified experts in the field of sustainable design. Our founder’s aim was to improve society through architecture and his legacy lives on in our ambition to contribute towards the building of a sustainable world.
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