#EXPOREAL Prologis Awards recognise logistics designs of the future

Concepts for a logistics facility over a freeway and a property with storage below ground and offices above came first and second in the Prologis 2030 Design Awards announced at Expo Real in Munich.

An international and interdisciplinary panel of judges chose designs that showcase architectural innovation for the logistics facility of the future.

The winning design – a logistics facility over a freeway – is a joint effort by planning office Kruschina and Fluxo Interaktive Architektur, with architect Sébastien Bernard of Germany. Antonis Perpatidis of Office 25 Architects in Germany received second place for a building that places storage below ground and offices above. Pink Architektur, also from Germany, received an honorable mention for its sustainable design that incorporates wood and transparent ETFE sheets.

Prologis launched the competition in June, inviting submissions from architects, civil engineers and students of both disciplines from Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark and Norway. The competition encouraged creative approaches to site conditions, sustainability, technology, appearance and integration with the environment.

'This competition puts the spotlight on the future challenges of logistics buildings,' said jury member Marek Zychla, investment director at the Raben Group. 'Those challenges include the expansion of e-commerce, lack of land close to cities and some communities’ attitudes toward how logistics buildings are sited. The participants responded very differently to the competition. In my opinion, the winner fulfilled the requirements for future logistics developments in the best way possible.'

The winning submission featured an intelligent response to land scarcity with a design that integrates the structure with its surroundings. Kruschina, Fluxo Interaktive Architektur and Sébastien Bernard envisioned the logistics building of the future as a structure above a freeway, with optimal connections to transportation infrastructure and the use of innovative materials such as Nanogel.

'Logistics properties are much more than functional halls,' said Thomas Karmann, regional director of Prologis for Northern Europe. 'Just like our customers, we as developers and long-term owners strive for the highest quality, the best construction materials and optimum sustainability criteria. Our facilities must meet stringent technical standards for effective logistics processes and adapt to ever-increasing energy efficiency requirements. The winning design meets these requirements.'