Canadian firm 5468796 Architecture has been selected for the WAN 21 FOR 21 Award by World Architecture News in London, U.K. 5468796 was one of five emerging architectural practices chosen from over 150 entries and a longlist of 50 firms from around the world.
The year 2013 marks the third stage of the WAN 21 FOR 21 competition, which was launched in 2011. The last two years have seen 13 practices awarded, leaving three to be presented next year. The initiative “aims to highlight 21 architects who could be the leading lights of architecture in the 21st century; outstanding, forward-thinking people and organisations who have the demonstrable potential to be the next big thing in the architectural world.”
According to the WAN 21 FOR 21 Winners’ Announcement, “The practices were selected by a specialist panel in a lively jury session in London. The panelists were looking for firms who showed the potential for change and an understanding of context, and were able to communicate their ideas and work clearly. They were searching for emerging architects, as well as more established practices who were yet to gain the attention they deserved for their designs.”
This is the second firm award for 5468796 this year, in addition to other project-specific prizes. On June 7 at the RAIC Festival in Halifax, the firm will be presented with the inaugural Emerging Architectural Practice Award by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.
5468796 was praised by the jury for its consistency across the projects submitted. Andrew Best, partner at Buro Happold, said, “Multiple-use housing is typically unglamorous, but [the firm] have done something special here.” Martha Thorne, executive director of the Pritzker Prize, said, “I like these projects; they do different things but remain mindful of the context . . . they use the idea of surface in a proper way.” Dennis Ho of Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners confirmed that 5468796 displayed a “well-considered use of elements to create rhythm and scale; not overdoing it.”*
To learn more about 5468796 Architecture, visit 5468796.ca
