On 29 April, the European Commission and the Mies van der Rohe Foundation announced that the Harpa from Reykjavik, Iceland has won the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture.
Located in Reykjavik, Harpa is Iceland’s first purpose-built concert hall. It was designed by Henning Larsen Architects, Batteríið Architects and Studio Olafur Eliasson. The building has helped to rejuvenate and transform the area in and around the Reykjavik harbour and in doing so has brought the city and harbour district closer together.
Harpa was built not without its share of diversity, and during 2008 at a time when Iceland was facing economic turmoil work was stopped. One can say it took real political pull to finish the project and it was its resilience to be completed that makes people see this building not only as a architectural wonder, but also as a symbol of recovery and strength.
The award ceremony takes place on 7th June at the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion in Barcelona, with coincidently coincides with a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the prize.
The most prestigious award for European architecture – The EU Prize for Contemporary Architecture, takes place every two years. The price of 60,000 Euros is awarded to the winner, along with a sculpture with is a prize of excellence and innovation in conceptual and constructive terms. Although it was never about the money, this award is about pride and bragging rights.
Want to visit the Harpa concert hall, why not combine it with some Whale Watching with Jamboree
For more information visit
http://www.miesarch.com/
For more information about Iceland or our activities in Reykjavik or any of our other locations, please feel free to contact our main office.
