The prestigious SHARE Architecture Awards 2024 took place in Athens. Among the winners were Eva Prelovšek Niemelä and Aarne Niemelä, main architects of the largest wooden building in Slovenia – the building of the research institute InnoRenew CoE.

Eva Prelovšek Niemelä, architect and Head of Creativity and Society research department at InnoRenew CoE, and Aarne Niemelä, architect at InnoRenew CoE, presented the design and construction of the InnoRenew CoE building to an international jury of experts, and were awarded two prizes at the SHARE Architecture Awards 2024. One prize was received in the work place – offices category and the other prize was for the overall competition.

“The jury recognised our unique multidisciplinary approach to architectural design and our efforts to develop and test new building materials from renewable sources that are incorporated into the InnoRenew CoE building,” said Eva Prelovšek Niemelä, and added: “They also recognized the wider social impact that the institute’s building brings to the local, national and European environment, and specifically highlighted our activity of planting 3,000 trees in the municipality of Izola, as a way of giving back to the local environment and the community.”

Planning and designing of the InnoRenew CoE building, located in Izola, was a challenge that went beyond the design of a functional building. The ambition was to show how the physical transformation of a post-industrial area can create a new atmosphere and stimulate socio-technical development through the creation of an innovative science centre. The building houses offices, meeting and conference rooms and research laboratories. The interior was designed according to the principles of REED (Restorative Environmental and Ergonomic Design), developed by the institute’s researchers.

The international jury of the SHARE Architecture Awards 2024, which included the former President of the Pritzker Architecture Prizes, considered the most important awards in the field of architecture, shortlisted 74 projects out of 200 entries. The shortlisted architects presented their projects at a gala event in Athens, where the two representatives from InnoRenew CoE were also present.

The SHARE Architecture Awards are dedicated to sustainable projects and those that make a significant contribution to the community. They reward projects that go beyond the usual boundaries and encourage new collaborations and create business opportunities. The ceremony in Athens highlighted both the achievements of individuals and the growing influence of Eastern Europe in the global architectural story. The mission of the SHARE Awards is to encourage and promote Eastern European architectural excellence on the European and international stage.

The awards are a significant achievement for InnoRenew CoE and further proof of the institute’s commitment to the principles of collaboration, innovation, sustainable development and positive impact on the local community.

Read more here: https://share-architects.com/a-milestone-to-the-share-architects-european-map-share-georgia-2024-2/