26 October 2015 - On Saturday evening 24th of October, the annual Dutch Design Awards were presented at the Effenaar in Eindhoven. This year prizes were awarded across eight categories plus the BNO Piet Zwart Award. Succeeding Rotterdam Centraal Station, the Pani community centre designed by SchilderScholte architects won the Dutch Design Award in the category Habitat.

The jury commented the respectful way in which local resources and nearby craftsmen have been deployed at the realization of this exceptional project. Noteworthy is that the architects couple on pro bono basis delivered both the design and supervision of the construction of this building in Bangladesh.

Jury Report

"The multifunctional Pani community centre scores high on ALL criteria. The jury, among other things appreciates that the architects have thought in a smart way about the design in such a way that, for the realiztion, collaboration with local people was required. Admirable is the way in which they guided the population towards an impressive aesthetic result. with minimal means they knew to be of lasting significance for the community."

The Building

The initiator, foundation Pani, its main objective is to boost the local economy in Rajarhat by giving the less fortunate the opportunity to learn a craft and give their childeren preschool education. This is translated by the architects in a friendly and accessible building with a distinct floor plan consisting of a workshop, four classrooms and public facilities. By involving the local people directly with the buidling process a Gesamtkunstwerk has been realized that everyone is proud of. Currently, textile handicraft forms are being taught and bamboo bicycle frames are manufactured and mounted here. The true impact of this entirely handmade low tech building lies in simplicity, innovation, commitment and above all in the beauty of the architectural detail. "by the people for the people".

roofed plaza of the Pani community centre

The winners in the other categories include 'Refugee Republic' (Submarine Channel, FUTURE AWARD and COMMUNICATION); 'Mortal Cities & Forgotten Monuments' (Arna Mackic RAAAF, DESIGN RESEARCH); 'Van Gogh Multimediator' (Fabrique, SERVICE & SYSTEMS); 'Postal Sorting Tool' (FLEX/ the Innovation Lab, PRODUCT); ‘Autumn Collection 2015’ (Lucas Ossendrijver/Lanvin, FASHION).

Designer Teresa van Dongen received the Young Designer Award, a special incentive prize for young talent. Eindhoven365 was awarded the Best Client Award. Finally the People’s Choice went to ‘Ambulance Drone’ by Alec Momont.

Dutch Design Awards

Now in its thirteenth year the Dutch Design Awards are internationally renowned event that celebrates the best of the best in the Dutch design industry. The awards ceremony and exhibition of the work of all the finalists is showcased during Dutch Design Week, and presented in the annual edition of the Dutch Design Yearbook (in collaboration with nai010 publishers). Together these constitute a comprehensive platform for contemporary Dutch design.

A committee of independent experts drafted the shortlist of 29 finalists across 8 categories from 380 entries for this year’s awards. "Much attention to social issues speaks from the entries of this year. Among nominees, in particular realistic projects with a down-to-earth approach are appreciated." Furthermore, it is notable that "much attention was paid to proper research and editorials. Craft, technology and aesthetics thereby are still of paramount importance." The committees unanimously agreed that the level of this edition was high: "The finalists can compete with the international top."

All nominated projects were on display during the Dutch Design Week from 17th until 25th of October in the Veemgebouw in Eindhoven.

The Jury

The international jury of the Dutch Design Awards 2015 consisted of. Frank Houben / Global Brand Director KLM Matilda McQuaid / Deputy Curatorial Director, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum Ravi Naidoo / Director, Design Indaba Joann Edwards / Executive Director, Museum of Craft and Design Rosa Bertoli / Design Editor, Wallpaper Jan Konings / Architect, Curator Joost Alferink / Product Designer, Joost Alferink Design Consultancy Saskia van Stein / Bureau Europa Richard van der Laken / De Designpolitie, What Design Can Do

Dressed by

During the Awards Show, Hill Scholte was wearing a one of a kind and innovative dress by fashion designer Pauline van Dongen.

International Awards

In Istanbul (Turkey) on the 16th of October 2015, this project was rewarded with a Silver Medal in the Asia Architecture Award in category Public. Early this year it was a Winner and People's Choice in the category Best Architecture under 1.000 square metres at the AZ Awards in Toronto (Canada).

About SchilderScholte architects

SchilderScholte architects, founded on the International Day of Happiness, is a collaboration between Gerrit Schilder jr. and Hill Scholte. With extensive experience and a wide range of completed works, the office focuses mainly on (re)building and designing projects within the utility, healthcare and educational sectors. A large part of the projects realized by them have a strong public function. The work shows the logical coherence between the disciplines of architecture, interior architecture and furniture design. They have wide experience with the reallocation of existing buildings, including historic buildings (National Monuments). An important characteristic of the work of SchilderScholte architects is colour. They view colour as one of the main components of space. Space expresses itself in form, proportions, scale, light, colour and texture, and in their projects, colour is used to emphasize functions and textures. They use these six elements with extreme precision. More information on SchilderScholte architects can be found at www.schilderscholte.com.


Contact:

SchilderScholte architects bni-bno
Gerrit Schilder or Hill Scholte
+31 6 430 322 31 of +31 6 181 387 50
contact@schilderscholte.com