Liechtenstein has entered two building projects into the sixth international architecture competition Constructive Alps. Impressing the jury with their climate-friendly construction were the Clinicum Alpinum in Triesenberg and the Matador provisional school building in Vaduz.

Two building projects from Liechtenstein have made the shortlist of 31 projects for the Constructive Alps international architecture competition from Switzerland and Liechtenstein, as was reported in a press release. Nominated buildings included the Clinicum Alpinum AG with headquarters in Triesenberg and the Matador provisional school building of the Berufsmittelschule vocational school in Vaduz.

The Clinicum Alpinum treats patients with depression, with the building offering a safe haven close to nature. Through its architecture, it claims to be the first clinic in the German-speaking realm committed to “healing architecture in a healing environment”. Through the use of regional materials such as timber and stone, the building’s interior and exterior are true to the requirements for sustainability. 

The new school building in Vaduz will meet the spatial needs of the Berufsmittelschule vocational school for a number of years, as the architectural firm Saal Architekturstudio tasked with realizing the project reveals. The off-the-shelf aesthetic, decision to use building materials available as standard and solid wood construction are all of environmental benefit and bring about cost savings.

With these two projects from Liechtenstein, a jury shortlisted 31 projects from the 237 entries for the competition from Switzerland and Liechtenstein. On the shortlist are residential buildings, commercial buildings, mountain huts, a chapel, schools and infrastructures, all of which are examples of climate-conscious renovation and construction in the Alps. This second round includes 15 renovations, three new replacement buildings and 13 new buildings. The jury will come to a decision on the basis of ecological, economic, social and aesthetic criteria. The contribution that these buildings can make to future-oriented living and working in the Alpine region will also be considered in the jury's final decision.

Other member states of the Alpine Convention are also involved in the competition. The architectural climate targets are anchored within the Alpine Convention, for which Switzerland is taking on the presidency in 2021 and 2022. With the convention, the contracting parties of Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Slovenia and Switzerland are working towards the protection and sustainable development of the Alps.

The prizes will be awarded at the next meeting of the ministers responsible for the Alpine Convention, to be held in Brig in September

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