Distinction at the "Prix Lignum 2012"
The Prix Lignum rewards qualitative, original and innovative uses of wood in contemporary architectural design. The "Marin Centre" building, designed by Bauart of which Prof. Emmanuel Rey from the Laboratory of Architecture and Sustainable Technologies (LAST) is a partner, figures amongst the realisations distinguished by the 2012 edition.
To raise awareness and encourage the work of wood oriented towards the future, such is the objective of the Prix Lignum. For this edition, 342 constructions completed between 2007 and 2012 were competing, spread into five regions - West (61), West-central (33), North (78), East (97) and Centre (73). For each region, the juries were composed of six people with no specific direct link with the area evaluated and coming from various domains. The juries were chaired by Prof. Peter Eberhard. After the selection and the visit of the best constructions, three prizes and several distinctions were awarded for each region.
The building "Marin Centre" was honoured by obtaining one of the distinctions of the West region. The approach adopted for this building is characterised by a large central space the configuration of which allows to enhance natural light and to control the climate in a passive way. The spatial effect is generated by 39 wooden prefabricated spans whose particular disposition allows supporting a range of 24 meters, modulating by irregular intervals the entrance of natural light and adjusting the openings needed for bioclimatic management.
The architecture journal Hochparterre has edited a special publication devoted to the Prix Lignum and presents the projects distinguished on this occasion.