Internorm Architecture Competition 2023

The grand prize of €2,000 in the category large residential/commercial project goes to Innsbruck-based architects WORK SPACE. They won over the jury with their new residential and commercial project 'Duett Pradl', which scored highly for its coherent and openly designed composition of different building structures, which blends perfectly into the heterogeneous surroundings. The site is located at an urban interface between the Gründerzeit courtyard perimeter development and open building structures from the second half of the 20th century. Two solitaires with plinth storeys now form an urban, open ensemble. The permeability of the buildings and their orientation towards the city create an identity for the new quarter. "Despite its high density, the project fits in sensitively with the existing buildings. The calm and subtle use of windows as a design element distinguishes the 'Duett Pradl'. In addition, the underlying design care on all sides is particularly noteworthy," says impressed jury member Christoph Mörkl. Anette Klinger adds: "I find the handling of the sun protection particularly charming. The box is not hidden, but is deliberately used as a frame around the window. Finally, a project that doesn't choose dark grey or white as the colour of the windows, but deliberately gives the facade a gold tone."

This year's Recognition Award went to CAN Architects for the unique redesign of the 'Naša Škola' in Hungary. Here, an existing school building was renovated, extended with a state-of-the-art new learning environment and perfectly connected with the surrounding nature. "The unagitated treatment of the existing building, the deliberate, simple design of the new elements and the exceptionally precise visual guidance through curved movement and window placement distinguish this very sympathetic project as a model. This gives us hope that other, similar projects will also show such a sensitive approach to the existing," says Christoph Mörkl, justifying the choice of the Recognition Award. Architect Anna Moser adds: "The project is an impressive example of a very compact and economical renovation, but one that stands out for its courage. The red, connecting roof enriches the school's everyday life and the children's learning and living environments."