On June 23, the winners of the 2017 AZ Awards will be revealed, and joining in the celebration will be Azure’s guest of honour, renowned Italian architect Massimiliano Fuksas.
With a career spanning over 40 years, globally revered architect Massimiliano Fuksas has stacked his portfolio with more than 600 international projects that typify his unique and innovative vision.
Since founding his studio with his wife, Doriana Mandrelli Fuksas, over three decades ago, Studio Fuksas has become one of the most recognized architecture firms in the world. Based in Rome, the duo also has headquarters in Paris and Shenzhen, China, and their award-winning work can be found across Europe, Africa, America, Asia and Australia. The scale of their projects range in size and scope, and include museums, cultural centres, airports and urban interventions. Here, we look back on some of our favourites.
Bao’an International Airport Terminal 3, in Shenzhen, China
Completed in 2013, Shenzhen’s international terminal is a total reinvention of what an airport can be – bright, fluid and an absolute pleasure to pass through. Wrapped in a biomorphic shell that is pierced by honeycomb-like perforations, the sprawling 63-gate structure’s organic form has been compared to a manta ray.
New Rome EUR Convention Hall, in Rome, Italy
When it opened last fall, this convention centre and hotel became the largest building to be erected in Italy’s capital in more than 50 years. It took 18 years to conceive, plan and build, but with its restrained and structured exterior belying the dream-like Cloud at its centre, it was well worth the wait.
Tbilisi Public Service Hall, in Tbilisi, Georgia
Shrouded by an undulating roofline of 11 steel plates reminiscent of flower petals, the cluster of seven rectilinear volumes of this commercial park brought an intriguing and instantly iconic formation to the banks of the Kura River when it opened in 2012.
Rhike Park Music Theatre and Exhibition Hall, in Tbilisi, Georgia
Like tipped over vessels, the dual cylindrical elements of this cultural building are skinned in complimentary stainless-steel panels. Set within a public green space, the tessellated cladding subtly references the nearby Peace Bridge.
Lycée Hotelier Georges Frêche, in Montpellier, France
For this hotel and culinary school, a series of serpentine concrete buildings are clad in geometric patterns, a familiar Fuksas motif. Made from 17,000 aluminum panels, the complex’s façade was assembled on its shotcrete shell like a jigsaw puzzle.
The 2017 AZ Awards Gala will be held at Toronto’s historic Evergreen Brick Works on Friday, June 23. Get your tickets now and be a part of a spectacular evening celebrating outstanding international architecture and design.
The 2017 AZ AWARDS is presented by Audi, Cosentino, DXV, Keilhauer, and Rado, and is sponsored by TD Bank Group, Urban Capital and George Brown School of Design.
The AZ Awards Gala is sponsored by Alpi, Bauhaus and Euro-Line.
