ICONIC AWARDS 2020: Innovative Architecture – The whole world of architecture International architecture and design competition

The ICONIC AWARDS 2020: Innovative Architecture honour superb examples of the interaction of all disciplines in an independent architecture and design competition which focuses on internationally outstanding construction projects, innovative interior and product design as well as compelling communication in an architectural context.

Architects, designers, the building sector and industry are once more invited to participate in the ICONIC AWARDS 2020: Innovative Architecture with their contributions. Applications for the competition will be accepted through 15 May 2020.

An independent jury composed of renowned representatives from the fields of architecture, interior design, design and brand communication, such as Asif Khan, Song Zhaoqing (Lacome Architects Shanghai), Michel Casertano (Atelier Brückner) and Linda Stannieder (GRAFT BRANDLAB Berlin) will choose the Winners, Best of Best and Selection of the ICONIC AWARDS 2020: Innovative Architecture in the categories Architecture, Interior, Product, Communication and Concept.

A look back: The Special Categories 2019

Within the framework of the competition, prize money amounting to EUR 20,000 in total will be awarded again in the special categories Architects of the Year and Interior Designers of the Year. An honorary award will go to the Architects' Client of the Year. Nominations will be made by the jury as well as representatives of the trade media.

Last year, the British architectural firm David Chipperfield Architects was awarded the title of Architects of the Year. Since the start of his career, Chipperfield has received widespread acclaim for his clear, minimalist designs and expert handling of light, space and material. He has a characteristic, distinctive style which he has continued to develop over the years and which can best be described as a re-interpretation of the classic modern style with elements of contemporary Japanese architecture. Many of his iconic projects have caused a sensation, such as the River & Rowling Museum in Henley-on-Thames, the Museum of Modern Literature in Marbach, Germany and the Ninetree Village in Hangzhou, China.

The jury's pick for the title of Interior Designers of the Year was the New York-based design and art cooperative Snarkitecture, launched by Daniel Arsham and Alex Mustonen in 2008. Snarkitecture aims to remove spaces, objects and materials from their original context and interpret and arrange them in novel ways. This results in original spaces and objects full of poetic character and iconic appeal, inviting viewers to experience and explore them with all their senses.

Snarkitecture’s best-known projects include four store interiors for the streetware chain Kith, the COS Los Angeles store and the Valextra showroom. The secret to the firm’s success: a childlike imagination and a carefree desire for the absurd. It’s no coincidence that its name is a reference to Lewis Caroll’s poem 'The Hunting of the Snark'.

The prize of honour Architects' Client of the Year, which honours the fostering of a holistic understanding of architecture on the part of a contracting company, was awarded to the city of Freiburg. It can rightly call itself one of the birthplaces of the environmental movement in Germany. In 1986 the municipal council approved a forward-looking energy supply concept based on the three pillars of energy saving, energy efficiency and renewable energy. Since then, a wide range of measures have led to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. By 2030 the city plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50%, and by 2050 it hopes to become completely climate neutral.

Awardees of the ICONIC AWARDS 2019: Innovative Architecture