The International Architecture Awards 2022 , Dublin/ Irland

PRESS RELEASE BY ZJA
Amsterdam, August 22nd 2022

INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE AWARD FOR VENUE BUILDING MIDDELKERKE

The Venue Building Middelkerke in Belgium has been awarded with the prestigious International Architecture Award 2022. The design under the direction and supervision of Debuild is created by architectural studio ZJA and DELVA Landscape Architecture | Urbanism, in collaboration with OZ and Bureau Bouwtechniek and various experts as members of the Nautilus Consortium. The International Architecture Awards are the oldest and most prestigious global building awards program. It is presented annually by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design together with The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and is regarded as a leading recognition in architecture.

New beacon along the sea
The assignment of building a new Venue Building on the coast of Middelkerke and simultaneously reinforcing the existing sea dike was approached from the perspective of the original landscape. With the design, a renewed dune landscape is added to the existing coast, with at its heart a striking building that will stand as a new beacon along the sea. The Venue Building Middelkerke will offer room for a casino, hotel, restaurant, multifunctional event space and an underground parking garage which ensures a car free zone on street level. In addition to reinforcing the sea embankment and making it car-free the design also forms a part of an improved public space where the boulevard and Epernay square are unified. Reinald Top, partner-architect ZJA: “We are very honored with this International Architecture Award for the Venue Building in Middelkerke and the recognition by the jury. The Venue Building Middelkerke combines coastal management, livability and sustainability. Thanks to the parking garage underneath the dune, removing cars from the Epernay square and expanding the public space towards the sea, room has been created for what can safely be called a place of interest; a sight to be seen: the green dune-like square with ponds and fountains, leading to the beach.”

Integration with the landscape and coastal management
The soul of this design resides in its intimate integration with the dune landscape, the transformation of the town centre into one that is pedestrian friendly and the introduction of a landmark building. All this while reinforcing the sea dike providing Middelkerke with its needed security, urban renewal and an economic impetus.

Steven Delva, founding partner DELVA, landscape architect: “The integral design is a new chapter in the history of Middelkerke, which once originated as a fishing village after dunes were formed on the historic Testerep peninsula. The dunes offered protection against flooding and the channel between the island and the mainland was directly connected to the North Sea. After a century of large-scale developments and infrastructure projects, the original landscape has largely disappeared under stone and asphalt. Our design will restore the dune landscape to its former glory.”

New public space
The design creates a large public space with the existing Epernay square as its centre. The dike is moved further onto the beach, creating an extension of the existing Epernay square while integrating it in the landscape. An underground parking garage ensures a car free zone. Connecting the town, the square and the beach is a huge artificial dune in which the casino, the public hall for concerts and exhibitions and a restaurant are located.
Sea lyme grass, water elements and sand gullies flowing towards the beach simulate a dune experience. The new public space, with the climb to the green square on top of the dune is a tourist attraction in its own right.

Sustainable icon at the Flemish coast
Attached to it is the beach hotel with its enigmatic sculptural silhouette, an understated icon with an open grid of curved beams in accoya wood. The entire design optimizes energy, waste-management and production processes, and applies recyclable materials where possible.

Jean-Marie Dedecker, mayor of Middelkerke, finds the granting of this award for the Venue Building fantastic. "The International Architecture Award is testimony that we made the right choice two years ago. Our selection committee, which included a range of experts, was immediately drawn to the sober and intuitive design. This award has now validated the unanimous decision. We also had the feeling that the construction team had done its homework thoroughly and had come up with a stylish and sustainable design. This landmark for our town is being constructed now. We are eagerly awaiting the new Venue Building's domino effect to boost the Middelkerke experience. My warmest compliments to the construction team, the architects, and the contractors for winning this award!"

Public-private partnership
This project was only possible through very intensive collaboration with the various services of the municipality of Middelkerke, the Environment department and the Agency for Maritime Services and Coast of the Flemish government.

Credits: Client: The municipality of Middelkerke
The Nautilus Consortium is a Dutch-Belgium collaboration between:

Architect: ZJA (lead architect), DELVA (landscape architect) in collaboration with OZ (casino and hotel design) and Bureau Bouwtechniek (execution architect)

Developer: Debuild

Advisors: COBE, VK Engineering, Beersnielsen, Witteveen+Bos, Plantec, MINT and Sertius

Contractors: Democo and Furnibo

For more information about the Venue building Middelkerke in Belgium:
www.zja.nl/en/Venue-Building-Middelkerke




PRESS RELEASE BY ZJA
Amsterdam, August 15th 2022

DIAMOND EXCHANGE, CAPITAL C AMSTERDAM WINS INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECTURE AWARD 2022

The Diamond Exchange, Capital C Amsterdam in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, has been awarded with a prestigious International Architecture Award 2022. The historical building, designated as a national monument, has undergone a major renovation designed by the architectural studio ZJA in collaboration with Heyligers architects and has regained its original allure. The Dutch monument is crowned with a striking, dome of glass and steel; the ‘High Light’. The International Architecture Award is the oldest and most prestigious global building awards program. It is presented annually by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design together with The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and is regarded as a leading recognition in architecture.

Restored Monument
The Diamond Exchange in Amsterdam, built in1911, has been transformed into a center for the creative industry: Capital C Amsterdam. To fully restore the original qualities of the monument, the building underwent a major renovation to be largely returned to the original Gerrit van Arkel design. The renovation included restoration of monumental features and adaptation of the interior for use as a modern, flexible office environment, besides the addition of a glass and steel dome named the High Light. Art and design are a common thread that runs through the building.

Erik Smits, project-architect ZJA: “With the restoration of the Diamond Exchange and the new public space on the roof, an iconic building has been added back to the heart of Amsterdam and the national monument has once again become an important part of the city. The design for Capital C provides a contemporary revitalization of a special monumental building, so that history, public space and the dynamics of the international creative industry and art come together”.

Crowning on the roof
The construction of the High Light is based on the grid shell principle that allows for freedom in shapes and large spans without columns. The dome’s structure is transparent, light and open. It is layered with solar cells, generating energy and providing sun protection to maintain a comfortable indoor climate. The floor of the dome is equipped with an underfloor heating and cooling system. The green roof acts as a rainwater buffer and increases biodiversity, filters fine dust from the air and retains CO2.

Sparkling monument
As Capital C, the Diamond Exchange offers a contemporary office environment and art exhibitions for the local community amongst others, situated within a truly unique monument. On top of that it provides one of the most spectacular views over the city to be seen from the roof dominated by its stylish and iconic dome. The Diamond Exchange is once again a significant part of Amsterdam, a sparkling monument reflecting the past and present of Amsterdam.

Credits: Zadelhoff B.V. en Sijthoff Media (client), architectural studio ZJA in collaboration with Heyligers architects (design), Müller & van Tol (Interior designer), Braaksma & Roos Architectenbureau (Restoration architect), Van Milt Restaurateurs (Restoration Experts): Pieters Bouwtechniek (Structural Engineer) DCV Bouw (Principal contractor), Octatube (Engineer and contractor roof structure), Studio Linse (Interior designer High Light, NewKantoor (Contractor finishing phase), Peak Development (Projectmanagement)

For more information about the Diamond Exchange, Capital C Amsterdam:
www.zja.nl/en/Diamantbeurs-Capital-C-Amsterdam-International-Architecture-Award