Asian architects and projects get recognition in 2021 IOC, IPC and IAKS Architecture and Design Awards

Having been largely overlooked in past editions, Asian architects and projects have been recognised at the 2021 International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS) global architecture awards.

The much-coveted medals for innovative, sustainable and inclusive sport and leisure architecture, saw Asia gain particular recognition in the Architecture and Design Award for Students and Young Professionals categories, with Zeng Wujingting winning the Gold Award for the Low Line Sports Park, Jianyang, China and Ryo Kobayashi, Tsuyoshi Utagawa and Yuki Saito securing a Bronze Award for the Sport Science & Digital Art Arena, Osaka, Japan.

IOC, IPC and IAKS Architecture and Design Award Winners
Architecture and Design Award for Students and Young Professionals 
Gold
Low Line Sports Park, Jianyang, China - Designed by Zeng Wujingting.

Silver
Moyobamba Sports and Recreation Center, Moyobamba, Peru - Designed by Enrique M. Galvez Gonzales.

Bronze 
Sport Science & Digital Art Arena, Osaka, Japan - Designed by Ryo Kobayashi, Tsuyoshi Utagawa and Yuki Saito
The Granville Gateway, Vancouver, Canada - Designed by Narita Reyes Ico.
VARSO SPORT, Warsaw, Poland - Designed by Marlena Michalska, Anna Czapla and Filip Gawin

The other Asian project recognised at the biannual awards was the Ariake Gymnastics Centre, Tokyo, Japan (architect: Nikken Sekkei + Shimizu Corporation) winner of the IOC, IPC and IAKS Gold Award.

Recognising facilities that push the envelope of sporting and leisure facilities, four Gold, seven Silver and seven Bronze winning facilities received awards and distinctions, presented at a festive gala event during the FSB Trade Show in Germany last month.

Showcasing innovative, sustainable and inclusive sport and leisure architecture from around the world, the jury had to judge 86 projects from around the world, including work from Canada, Japan, Montenegro, Peru, Syria and the USA.

Demonstrating extraordinary design and functionality, the winners this year included projects such as community parks, ice rinks, and an acclaimed ski resort on top of a waste-to-energy plant.

The prizes were handed over by Marie Sallois-Dembreville, Director Corporate and Sustainable Development for the International Olympic Committee; Dr Mike Peters, Chief Executive of the International Paralympic Committee and IAKS President, Dr Stefan Kannewischer.

IOC, IPC and IAKS Gold Award Winners 2021

• Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, United Kingdom - Architect: Populous

• CopenHill, Copenhagen, Denmark - Architect: BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group

• Aquaticum Waterpark, Debrecen, Hungary - Architect: BORD Architectural Studio

• Ariake Gymnastics Centre, Tokyo, Japan - Architect: Nikken Sekkei + Shimizu Corporation

IOC, IPC and IAKS Silver Award Winners 2021

• Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, Australia - Architects: COX Architecture and Counterpoint Architecture

• Ruit Multifunctional Shooting Hall, Ostfildern-Ruit, Germany - Architect: Kauffmann Theilig & Partner

• Hidden Creek Community Centre, Hillsboro, United States - Architect: Opsis Architecture

• Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland - Architects: K2S Architecture and Architects NTT

• Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia - Architect: COX Architecture

• Parc des Saphirs Ice Rink, Boischatel, Canada - Architect: ABCP Architecture

• Concord Community Pop-Up Park, Vancouver, Canada - Architect: PWL Partnership Landscape Architects Inc

IOC, IPC and IAKS Bronze Award Winners 2021

• Pep Park 100 M PEP, Solna, Sweden - Architect: Outer Space arkitekter

• Game Streetmekka Aalborg, Aalborg, Denmark - Architect: JAJA Architects

• Camp del Ferro Sports Center, Barcelona, Spain - Architects: AIA Activitats Arquitectòniques and Barceló-Balanzó Arquitectes and Gustau Gili Galfetti

• The Pavilion, Bend, United States - Architect: Opsis Architecture

• Clayton Community Centre, Surrey, Canada - Architect: HCMA Architecture + Design

• Paracelsus Pool and Spa Facility, Salzburg, Austria - Architect: Berger+Parkkinen Architekten

• Montréal Golf Exécutif Clubhouse, Montréal, Canada - Architect: Architecture49

IOC, IPC and IAKS 2021 Distinctions

• Ken Rosewall Arena, Sydney, Australia - Architect: Cox Architecture

• Freiham Sports Park, Munich, Germany - Architects: Georg Scheel Wetzel Architekten and Lützow 7 Müller Wehberg Landschaftsarchitekten

• Minoru Centre for Active Living, Richmond, Canada - Architect: HCMA Architecture + Design

• Coogee Surf Life Saving Club, Coogee, Australia - Architect: Allen Jack+Cottier Architects

• Almeauen Flowpark, Büren, Germany - Architect: Maier Landschaftsarchitektur/Betonlandschaften

• Bemax Arena, Podgorica, Montenegro - Architect: DBA Architects Ltd.

• UFRJ Rugby, Hockey and Swimming Centre, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Architect: Effect Arquitectura

• Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, United Kingdom - Architect: Populous

• Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville, Australia - Architects: COX Architecture and Counterpoint Architecture

• Pep Park 100 M PEP, Solna, Sweden - Architect: Outer Space arkitekter

Click here for more information on the Awards. https://iaks.sport/news/prize-winning-projects-all-over-world

Images: Linping Sports Park China by CCTN Design (top, credit: CCTN Design) and winners in the Architecture and Design Award for Students and Young Professionals categories and the IOC, IPC and IAKS Architecture and Design Awards (below, credit: Koelnmesse/Uwe Weiser).