Five Winners in Architecture Writing Contest

In February, the Henning Larsen Foundation launched an international competition for writing about architecture, "TIME & SPACE." On Henning Larsen’s birthday (Aug. 20) the names of the winners were announced.

First prize goes to Nathan Romero Muelas for “The Wash House”. The winning text is a classic essay. The jury writes: "A personal, experienced voice takes us back to a place that no longer exists but as a recollection still gives meaning. A place ‘from the time before the washing machine’ which in the writer’s description becomes the space of architecture par excellence, the place where people meet around an everyday function that would not exist without the physical framework provided by architecture."

"A simple space and a simple but captivating story about how time lets the space continue beyond its concrete existence by virtue of our memory. A place you passed but which stayed in your mind because the architecture and the everyday use were strong and full of meaning. As this essay itself: a small gem that unites everything important with simple means.”

Daniel Persson receives second prize. Sanne Flyvbjerg, Mette Marie Kallehauge and Tinne Delfs each receive a third prize.

The first prize winner receives an award of €10,000, the second prize winner of €5,000 and the three third prize winners of each €2,000.

The competition is the third in a row of architecture competitions held by the Henning Larsen Foundation. The first was about “photographing architecture”, the second about “drawing architecture” and the third – “TIME & SPACE” – focuses on “writing about architecture”. Photos, drawings and texts challenge architecture. They can be a branch of art or a piece of architecture in themselves, or they can communicate an idea or a dream. The dream has been the focus of attention in this competition.

The jury has evaluated the submitted texts on the basis of their description of space and spatiality and whether they offer something new to the genre – writing about architecture. The jury consisted of Professor, architect Henning Larsen; CEO, architect Kent Martinussen; Chief Editor, architect Martin Keiding; architecture writer, historian of ideas Christian Bundegaard and architect Troels Troelsen.

The publication ”TIME & SPACE – writing about architecture” is published by Arkitektens Forlag. The book presents the winning texts in Danish and English. It can be purchased in the nearest bookstore or at Arkitektens Forlag’s website, www.arkfo.dk.

The Henning Larsen Foundation was established in 2001 with Henning Larsen’s private funds and has since then awarded grants each year on the founder’s birthday. The two previous competitions were held in 2007 and 2008, respectively.

Source: Henning Larsen Architects