The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Europe has unveiled the eight finalists competing for the prestigious 2024 Awards for Excellence.
These projects, representing the best in built environment across the EMEA region, showcase innovation and excellence in land use practices. The diverse selection includes transformative renovations, meticulous restorations, and groundbreaking new developments, all evaluated for their planning, construction, economic viability, management, sustainability, resilience, community impact, and architectural design.
The jury has selected eight outstanding projects as finalists for the 2024 ULI Europe Awards for Excellence, showcasing innovative solutions in land use across the EMEA region. Here are the finalists, listed alphabetically:
Category: Education/Other
BG/BRG Franz Keimgasse, Mödling, Austria: Sustainability is key to this school extension with Co2 sensor systems linked to windows for reduced air conditioning and a PV system. (Developer: Bundesimmobiliengesellschaft; Architect: Treusch architecture ZT)
Category: Other
EcoDataCenter 1, Falun, Sweden: This newly constructed sustainable data center addresses the growing demand for data storage while prioritizing environmental impact through renewable energy and heat recovery. (Developer: Eco data center; Owner: Areim; Architect: Nordisk Kombination Arkitekter)
Category: Office
Grainhouse, London, UK: This refurbishment of a historic industrial site transformed five buildings into offices and retail space. The development features a European HQ for Hines, with a strong focus on sustainability. (Developer: Hines UK; Owner: Hines European Value Fund 2; Architect: Barr Gazetas)
ICÔNE, Belval, Luxembourg: This workspace development, part of a former industrial area's rehabilitation, integrates seamlessly with the urban landscape. It prioritizes natural light and wellbeing, offering flexible co-working spaces and incorporating sustainable practices. (Developer: Besix Red Luxembourg; Owner: AG Real Estate; Architect: Foster + Partners, Beller Francois Fritsch)
L’Atelier (“The Workshop”), Paris, France: This project revitalized a former telephone exchange, reconnecting two buildings into a European HQ for Covivio. The project emphasizes environmental performance, design input from users, and the integration of industrial heritage. (Developer: Covivio; Architect: Studios Architecture, Maison Sarah Lavoine & DUX Covivio)
Category: Residential
Living Places Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark: This residential project is a prototype concept addressing climate and health challenges. It uses existing materials and techniques to create more sustainable, affordable, and accessible housing. (Developer: VeluxLUX Group; Architect: Effekt architects)
Minerve, Edegem, Belgium: The brownfield development created a new mixed-use residential and commercial area with a focus on biodiversity and sustainability. It includes 330 homes, incorporating social and cohousing. (Developer: Revive; Architect: Multiple, including master planner Architecten Achtergael)
Category: Arts & Culture
Polish History Museum, Warsaw, Poland: This project transformed a 19th-century citadel fortress site into a modern multifunctional cultural facility. The development incorporates urban planning and design, sustainability through material choices and technology, and highlights Poland's history. (Developer: Polish History Museum, Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage; Architect: WXCA)
The overall winners will be announced at a special dinner on 16 October 2024 in Barcelona, during ULI Europe's C Change Summit.
The 2024 ULI Europe Awards for Excellence finalists were chosen by a jury of leading real estate professionals, headed by Simone Santi, who will also select the overall winners for the EMEA region.
Anne Kavanagh, ULI Europe Chair, said: ‘The Awards for Excellence deservedly recognise and showcase a very high standard of best practice in the industry, celebrating projects that are impactful in our communities, and offering impressive solutions to many of the key challenges we as an industry need to address, such as decarbonisation and net zero, and availability and affordability of housing.‘
Lisette van Doorn, CEO, ULI Europe CEO, added: ‘Since their introduction in 1979 these awards have become highly recognised in the industry, demonstrating extraordinary achievements in an integrated and collaborative approach, across stakeholders, towards land use, development and operational management of real estate projects.’
In addition to selecting the overall winners, the jury will also consider "special mentions" for projects that excel in areas like decarbonization, affordable housing, and leadership development.
