The Schindler's Ark Competition 2024, part of a prestigious global architecture contest INSPIRELI, challenged architecture students to design the Museum of Survivors and Sustainable Living Village in the historic Schindler’s List factory, and now the winners have been unveiled.
There were 150 reigstered projects from 243 participants coming 28 countries and the finals jury consisted of Tugendhat and Low-beer family members, renowned architects and designers, Schindler’s List book author and even camp survivors‘ descendants.
Winners of the Museum Category
Two projects were selected as winners of the Museum reconstruction category. First winning project was done by Luxin Yu and Wencke Deitermann from Stuttgart University, Germany, for the focus on restoration and preservation of the historical buildings including allowing “the fragmentation and wounds of the exisitng building fabric” to be expressed.
Luxin Yu and Wencke Deitermann _Ark winner Museum
Second winning project goes to Alexandra Švarcová from the Faculty of Architecture and Design at STU in Bratislava, Slovakia, for the use of existing materials including “scattered tools, barrels and wool”. The existing surfaces were sensitively reconstructed and included in the design.
Alexandra Svarcova_Ark winner Museum
Sustainable Living Village Category
The winners of Sustainable Living are category are Sibora Ramadani, Eron Shala, Bleranda Hykosmoni, and Albina Zenunaj from the University of Prishtina, Kosovo, flexible, especially for the modular design which would make the housing more affordable and accessible to different family structures. The use of wood and textiles was commended as well as glazing to subdivide the space.
Sibora Ramadani, Eron Shala, Bleranda Hykosmoni, and Albina Zenunaj_Ark winners sustainable living category
Special Mention
An honorable mention was awarded to Ana Belén Juárez and Emilia Gutiérrez González from the Tucumán National University, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Design, Argentina. Their remarkable project, which also gained attention at the 9th INSPIRELI AWARDS and CHAOS Prize, stood our as an overall concept of the locus axis which connects the places and of the community life which generates places of belonging.
An honorable mention by Ana Belén Juárez and Emilia Gutiérrez González
The winners will have the unique opportunity to contribute to the design of the site as part of advisory team and will be recognized for their groundbreaking ideas. As part of their prize, they will receive a stipend and be invited to travel to the Czech Republic for an exclusive architectural experience, leading to the Museum opening. They also receive a personal tour of the Schindler’s Arks site and significant local architecture, including the iconic Tugendhat Villa in Brno.
The Schindler's Ark Competition highlights the important intersection of historical memory and sustainable architecture, honoring Oskar Schindler’s legacy through forward-thinking design. We congratulate all the winners and look forward to the realization of these inspiring concepts.
See the winners’ gallery at the Inspireli website and also see the new Competition themes for 2024/2025!