This Prize is a joint initiative of the European Commission and the Fundació Mies van der Rohe. The principal objectives are to recognise and commend excellence in the field of architecture and to draw attention to the important contribution of European professionals in the development of new concepts and technologies.
The 2009 edition awarded the Norwegian firm Snohetta and their new Operahouse in Oslo. It is a fantastic piece of Architecture, particularly in a country where no other cultural building of similar relevance was built in the last six centuries. I think it’s fantastic the way the building opens up to the sea, it is one of those projects that it’s hard to believe it will ever leave the drawing board.
Photo by RennyBA
I love the way the roofscape slopes down to embrace the sea creating an amazing public space around the building (and on the top!). This sloping plane is cladded with white marble slats and it’s fully accessible to the public. The slope is a bit too steep but those of you that have tried to connect a roof with the ground like it’s done here know the difficulties behind that. For that reason the roof is closed when it is icy because it would be easy to fall and end up swimming in the sea. I hope there are lots of dry days in Norway so this dramatic building is fully usable for great enjoyment.
Posted by Isabel Barros – May 17, 2009
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