As façade designers and engineers are invited to submit their designs for FAÇADE2016, David Richards, UK Façade Engineering Leader for Arup, says the event gave their projects an excellent showcase and encourages others to enter: “The SFE competition celebrates the best in international façade engineering. Our two winning projects [Guy’s Hospital Tower and the Bombay Sapphire Distillery, joint winner with Bellapart] couldn’t have been more different, but FACADE2015 gave us the opportunity to showcase the extraordinary vision of our clients, outstanding engineering and design, and collaboration between all involved.”
David believes the awards are a big step forward in the recognition and appreciation of the architectural façade as a key building element: “A façade is more than ever the most important element of a building’s performance and aesthetic and it is right that this is recognised and rewarded. The discipline has evolved beyond recognition in recent years and winning has been a great boost to us and our clients.”
The ‘FAÇADE’ series of competitions began in 2013 and is created, managed and judged by leading exponents of façade engineering and design. Recognition through the competition is increasingly regarded internationally as a serious and highly desirable accolade. Previous winners include projects from Abu Dhabi, Canada and the UK, with finalists including projects as far afield as China and Australia.
Entries are being welcomed for FAÇADE2016 with a deadline of October 31st, and the winners will be announced at the Glass Supper before an audience of some of the World’s leading architects and building engineers. For this year the event takes place on December 1st at the historic and architecturally renowned Gibson Hall in the City of London.
Three Awards will be presented in 2016: Façade of the Year – New Build; Façade of the Year – Refurbishment; Façade of the Year – Innovation. International applications are welcome from individuals, companies and project teams. Full entry criteria is available on the competition website at http://www.sfecompetition.co.uk.
The primary sponsor of FAÇADE2016 is Reynaers Aluminium with others including Wedge Group; EH Smith Specialist Façades; Interface Façade Engineering; Powdertech Group; Allies and Morrison; Holloseal Glass; Patrick Ryan Associates; Century Façades; Wintech Façade Engineering; and Skanska.
