The Winners
First Place: Tha'er Qub'a Architects; Amman, Jordan
Jordan-Amman
Judging Panel Comment:
“This project shows clear interaction and engagement with the park’s existing monuments, while the mural reverberates throughout the design. The bridge links provide a strong lateral connection that interrelates with the neighbouring context. We found the approach to the regeneration repetitive yet varied, which creates an interesting play in rectilinearity.
“The project’s response to climatic requirements is appropriate and avoids large expanses of lawn areas, integrating a low-management approach to the site. The architects employed simple, direct and reliable solutions that suit the scale of the site, while also creating a balance between soft and hardscape, with an intelligent use of plains. The bustan/orchard gives a strong sense of place in Baghdad and the wider Middle East, while the well-scaled, tree-lined streets would be appealing to pedestrians flanking the long sides of the park.
“We commend the clear methodology, concept development and design logic of the project.”
Jordan-Amman
Judging Panel Comment:
“This project shows clear interaction and engagement with the park’s existing monuments, while the mural reverberates throughout the design. The bridge links provide a strong lateral connection that interrelates with the neighbouring context. We found the approach to the regeneration repetitive yet varied, which creates an interesting play in rectilinearity.
“The project’s response to climatic requirements is appropriate and avoids large expanses of lawn areas, integrating a low-management approach to the site. The architects employed simple, direct and reliable solutions that suit the scale of the site, while also creating a balance between soft and hardscape, with an intelligent use of plains. The bustan/orchard gives a strong sense of place in Baghdad and the wider Middle East, while the well-scaled, tree-lined streets would be appealing to pedestrians flanking the long sides of the park.
“We commend the clear methodology, concept development and design logic of the project.”
Second Place: 2x1 Architects (Hakan Evkaya and Kutlu İnanç Bal);
Ankara, Turkey
Judging Panel Comment:
“This project exhibits an appropriateness of scale with spaces that are truly inhabited with a diversity of activities. The strong urban design considers the city in which the project will exist, and it’s clear that keen attention has been paid to horticulture and sustainability, especially through the incorporation of technologies that are climatically and culturally relevant.
“The architects managed a great interface with the edge of the site, exhibiting skilled negotiation between the park and the city. We also found that the key structure, or spine, further facilitates a diverse linearity of experiences – which is very much welcome.
“This project would have benefited from keeping the spine open at its potential interface with Tahrir Square.”
Ankara, Turkey
Judging Panel Comment:
“This project exhibits an appropriateness of scale with spaces that are truly inhabited with a diversity of activities. The strong urban design considers the city in which the project will exist, and it’s clear that keen attention has been paid to horticulture and sustainability, especially through the incorporation of technologies that are climatically and culturally relevant.
“The architects managed a great interface with the edge of the site, exhibiting skilled negotiation between the park and the city. We also found that the key structure, or spine, further facilitates a diverse linearity of experiences – which is very much welcome.
“This project would have benefited from keeping the spine open at its potential interface with Tahrir Square.”
Third Place: Marcin Kitala;
Czestochowa, Poland
Judging Panel Comment:
“This project provides a system to break down the large spaces into garden-rooms, which align with the urban surroundings. We found the project to be a refreshing and original concept for the site, communicated through a beautifully presented submission.
“The egalitarian approach to the design makes use of a detailed and varied green carpet, while diversity of horticulture is a strength of the project. Connectivity with the existing edge of the site is also addressed well. We appreciated the feasibility of the project, and find it implementable.
“However, the project lacks a diversity of spaces, and focuses heavily on the garden areas. We find the proposal could have benefited from balancing this out.”
Czestochowa, Poland
Judging Panel Comment:
“This project provides a system to break down the large spaces into garden-rooms, which align with the urban surroundings. We found the project to be a refreshing and original concept for the site, communicated through a beautifully presented submission.
“The egalitarian approach to the design makes use of a detailed and varied green carpet, while diversity of horticulture is a strength of the project. Connectivity with the existing edge of the site is also addressed well. We appreciated the feasibility of the project, and find it implementable.
“However, the project lacks a diversity of spaces, and focuses heavily on the garden areas. We find the proposal could have benefited from balancing this out.”