The jury of the Dedalo Minosse International Prize bestowed the Birmingham City Council with the Stanislao Nievo Special Prize for commissioning the Library of Birmingham, designed by Mecanoo architecten.
Named after the renowned environmentalist writer who served as the chairman of the jury since the first edition of the Dedalo Minosse, the prize honours clients who have harmoniously collaborated with their architect in order to create successful and worthy architecture. The award ceremony took place in Vicenza, Italy on June 23, 2017. An exhibition of the awarded works will be held at Palazzo Chiericati in Vicenza through July 16.
Continuous dialogue between the client team and design team was critical to establish the project objectives and the long-term vision for the Library, which was opened in 2013. Upon completion, Brian Gambles, then Director of the Library of Birmingham said: “Throughout the design and construction period, the design team maintained excellent co-operation with the Client team and users, working together to deliver this common vision.”
The Dedalo Minosse International Prize, promoted by ALA - Assoarchitetti and Regione del Veneto, intends to boost the quality of architecture by looking at final results, analysing and focusing on the project and constructive planning process, and giving a special attention to people who determine the success of the work: the architect and the client, supported by the project executors (the building firms) and the public administrations.