Cyprus Cultural Foundation launched an international architectural competition for designing the Cyprus Cultural Centre in Nicosia. The competition was structured in two stages. In the first, qualifying stage, architects were asked to submit credentials by 11 December 2006. An international Jury then short-listed eight practices. The short-listed practices were asked to submit conceptual design proposals by 5 March 2007, together with details of their credentials and a fee proposal.
Finalists
There were sixty valid entries to the first stage of the competition submitted from sixteen countries. The eight practices selected for the second stage of the competition were, in alphabetical order:
- Arts Team (London)
- CoopHimmelb(l)au (Vienna)
- Foreign Office Architects (London)
- João Luís Carrilho da Graça (Lisbon)
- Henning Larsens Tegnestue (Copenhagen)
- Hopkins Architects (London)
- Meleltitiki – AN Tombazis and Associated Architects (Athens)
- Rafael Viñoly Architects PC (London and New York)
Commenting on the selection, Michael Colocassides, chair of the jurors, said:
"The response to the competition was absolutely outstanding and we were faced with an embarrassment of riches, I am thrilled that we have such a strong short list and my colleagues and I on the jury are looking forward to the challenging task of selecting a finalist in March."
Competition Results
On March 19, 2007 The Cyprus Cultural Foundation announced that its board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation from the Jury of its architectural competition to appoint Hopkins Architects of London to design the Cyprus Cultural Centre.
The jury was unanimous in awarding the second place to Coop Himmelb(l)au of Vienna and third place to João Luís Carrilho da Graça (Lisbon).
Commenting on the finalists, Michael Colocassides, chair of the jurors, said:
"My colleagues on the jury and I were thrilled at the eight winning entries and found the decision a difficult one. However, we were unanimous in choosing the Hopkins design for the intelligence, elegance and dynamic sensitivity of the plan. The design showed a sensitivity to the opportunities presented by the local climate in its openness and the use of interior courtyards and we were deeply impressed by the balanced consideration given to front and back of house areas. My colleagues on the jury were also impressed by the thought given to environmental sustainability in the design, which was well thought through and addressed the specific characteristics of the Cypriot environment, as emphasized in the brief."
The Jury
- Michael Colocassides, President of the Jury, Board member, former Minister of Commerce and Industry, former chair Town Planning Council.
- Vladimir Ashkenazy, pianist and conductor.
- Charles Correa, architect, RIBA Gold Medalist, Honorary FAIA, distinguished professor MIT.
- Michael Cosmas, Architect, Representative of the Cyprus Architects Association.
- Theo David, FAIA, Board member, practicing architect and professor at Pratt Institute, New York.
- Georgios Kalavas, Architect, Representative of the Cyprus Civil Engineers Architects Association.
- Nikos Kalogeras, President, Hellenic Institute of Architects, Dean Emeritus of the National Technical University of Athens.
- Michael Lynch, Chief Executive South Bank Centre, London, former Chief Executive Sydney Opera House.
- Marios C. Phocas, Architect, Assistant Professor at the University of Cyprus, Representative of the Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus.
The secretary to the Jury:
Tassos Angelis, CCF General Manager
The technical advisers to the competition:
- Dinos Constantinou (project management)
- Adrian Ellis, AEA Consulting (operational management)
- Steven Friedlander, Auerbach, Pollock, Friedlander (theatre consultant)
- Marjkella Hadjida (architect), representative of the Town Planning and Housing Department
- George Roditis (cost consultant)