Mies van der Rohe Awards is organised by Fundació Mies van der Rohe and is the European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture. The aim of the prestigious award is to promote and understand the importance of quality and to reflect the complexity of architecture’s own importance in terms of technical, constructional, social, economic, cultural, and aesthetic achievements. The nomination of Sara Cultural Centre recognises the project as a significant example of European architecture that embodies the principles and objectives of the award.
Sara Cultural Centre nominated for Mies van der Rohe Awards 2024
Mies van der Rohe Awards celebrates excellence in European architecture and emphasizes its role in shaping sustainable, culturally rich, and economically vibrant cities. White Arkitekter is thrilled to announce that Sara Cultural Centre has been nominated for the prize.
We are very excited about the nomination. It is a testament to the transformative potential of architecture to connect people and culture while enriching a whole region.
Robert Schmitz and Oskar Norelius, Lead Architects at White Arkitekter
– It is also a recognition of our dedication to pushing the boundaries of architecture that seamlessly integrates design with sustainability, fusing tradition, and innovation, said Robert Schmitz and Oskar Norelius.
Sara Cultural Centre in Skellefteå, Sweden is the municipality’s key strategy to break a downward trend of depopulation and become a more attractive region. Standing at 75-metres tall, Sara Cultural Centre delivers a state-of-the-art cultural venue and hotel that positively contributes to the local community while at the same time being an international beacon for sustainable design. It also paves the way for the city’s commitment to a sustainable future and green industry transition, creating 3,000 new jobs.
Before the city center was modernised, Skellefteå had a rich tradition of timber architecture.
By designing the cultural centre entirely in wood, the project marks the revival of the city’s heritage while broadening the possible applications of timber as a structural material.
Robert Schmitz and Oskar Norelius
The cultural hub houses Skellefteå Art Gallery, Museum Anna Nordlander, Västerbotten Regional Theatre, the new city library and The Wood Hotel, complete with restaurant, spa and conference center. By bringing these functions together under one roof, the Sara Cultural Center promotes collaboration and conversation, and has become a new landmark and public living room for the citizens as well as tourists from all over the world. In fact, Times Magazine named Skellefteå and The Wood Hotel one of the best places in the world in 2022.
Read more about the project here.
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