Ten years of Constructive Alps: Conference on sustainable building and renovation

Bern, 10.06.2021 - The international architecture competition 'Constructive Alps' is celebrating its tenth anniversary. To mark the occasion, an online conference on sustainable renovation and construction in the Alps organised by the Swiss Presidency of the Alpine Convention was held on 9 and 10 June 2021. Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein have announced the sixth call for entries for the prize in October 2021.

The Constructive Alps anniversary event focused on how architecture combines climate protection, self-sufficiency and quality of life. Experts from the fields of architecture and sociology as well as representatives of building owners presented various award-winning projects submitted in the architecture competition. The conference was attended by more than a hundred persons.

Werner Binotto, former cantonal architect of St Gallen, Markus Hobi, head of the Salez Agricultural Centre, and architect Margrit Althammer explained how good buildings can be planned, constructed and run on self-sufficient principles, and what role the building owner can play in this. Sociologist Nicola Hilti, architect Bernardo Bader and the mayor of Mäder (Austria), Rainer Siegele, discussed successful examples of new forms of housing and communal use of space as well as their social and ecological advantages.

Book launch and sixth call for entries

The publication Bauen in den Alpen. Klimavernünftige Architektur zwischen Ljubljana und Nizza (only available in German) has been launched to mark the anniversary. Containing photo essays and contributions by Gion A. Caminada, Paolo Cognetti, Köbi Gantenbein, Asa Hendry, Benjamin Quaderer and Uroš Zupan, the book looks back at milestones of sustainable architecture in the Alps over the last ten years and presents 35 selected buildings.

The conference also provided an opportunity to discuss the competition's future. Ulrich Seewer, Vice Director of the Federal Office for Spatial Development ARE, emphasised the importance of climate protection and sustainable architecture. Sustainable construction methods and renovation continue to be relevant. Entries for the Constructive Alps prize will therefore be invited for a sixth time in October 2021. Alternative housing and upcycling will complement the existing content.


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