The second edition of the New European Bauhaus Prizes, a plebiscite carried out within the framework of the pro-environmental initiative of Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission - the New European Bauhaus, is underway. In the finals as many as five projects by Polish artists!
The goal of the New European Bauhaus is to work together creatively to not only improve the quality of our lives, to solve the problems we face today, but also to reduce the burden we put on the environment every day. You can read more about what the New European Bauhaus is about in our interviews with Xavier Troussard, chairman of the project, and Hubert Trammer, a Polish architect and expert sitting on the High Level Roundtable.
As part of the European initiative, the first edition of the competition was held last year in two categories - the New European Bauhaus Awards, which reward completed projects, and the New European Bauhaus Rising Stars, aimed at rising stars - young artists under the age of 30. In the second edition of the competition, as many as five from Poland are among the 52 finalist proposals - all nominated in the New European Bauhaus Rising Stars category.
The competition in both categories is divided into four thematic groups: Reconnecting with nature, Regaining a sense of belonging, Prioritising the places and people that need it the most, andpeople that need it most), and Shaping a circular industrial ecosystem and supporting life-cycle thinking.
The jury will decide the results of the competition, but the public can also cast its vote. In the New European Bauhaus Awards competition, the winners will receive a prize of 30,000 euros, the runners-up will receive 20,000 euros, and the winners of the audience award will receive 30,000 euros. In the Rising Stars of the New European Bauhaus competition, the winners will receive a prize of 15 thousand euros, the second place winners will receive 10 thousand euros, and the winners of the audience award will receive 15 thousand euros.
Votes can be cast until May 16 (6 pm CET). Each voter can vote only once (that's why the organizers ask you to verify your e-mail address); to vote, you need to go to the competition website, select the appropriate category and thematic group, and then the project. It is necessary to indicate at least one finalist in each section; after selecting the projects of your choice, click the Submit choices button at the bottom of the page and confirm your vote.
Selected from more than a thousand projects, the proposals of young Polish artists can be found in the categories:
Prioritizing the places and people
that need it the most
Center of Intergenerational Activity
(Center of Intergenerational Activity)
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The work focuses on clarifying the concept of pro-sociality and its role in the adaptation of post-industrial sites. Conclusions from the analysis of selected projects of this type in Europe and surveys of city residents became the basis for the development of a program to save the historic Robert Biedermann factory in Lodz and help residents by creating a place that excludes no one.
NURTURE
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NURTURE is a project for a comprehensive system of prefabricated, eco-friendly centers offering economically accessible psychological help and support in local communities in Poland. It is a response to the global post-pandemic depression problem and the current refugee crisis in Ukraine. The low cost and ease of construction, as well as the center's self-funded operation, are intended to counter social exclusion and build local relationships. The program's diversity and ability to expand quickly allow it to be easily adapted to local needs.
Reconnecting with nature
Modular Shutter Gardens
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Modular shutter gardens allow anyone to have their own garden by, or even in, a window. This system is very beneficial especially for apartments in tall buildings that do not have individual balconies. Wooden cells on the shutters, in which layers of felt have been placed, provide a substrate for growing plants. Each cell can be planted individually and rotated 360°.
Regaining a sense of belonging
Innovation Manor in Rokietnica (Innovation Manor)
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Innovation Manor is an easily replicable concept in which a historic mansion becomes a place that promotes education, cooperation and innovation across divides. The facility is located in the Podkarpackie countryside - Rokietnica. Using sustainable development strategies, new technologies and a respectful approach to cultural heritage, the authors want to create a beautiful place that fosters a sense of community and well-being. The concept, the authors believe, reflects the values and strategy of the European Union as they themselves understand them.
FOLK concept
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FOLK is a project summarizing several years of scientific and research activities on the rural architectural fabric. The theme gives a second life to characteristic rural buildings, whose conctruction uses decorative relief blocks. The design and concept include pro-ecological and sustainable adaptation of the buildings into places of public use, spaces for integration of rural communities and promotion of treasures of Polish cultural heritage.
