For this 13th edition, 14 projects were submitted, all very diverse and of high quality according to the jury. Also notable is the number of projects in which reuse of existing buildings and materials is an important theme in design and construction. The jury visited five locations.
Clear winner
The jury clearly chose Nijkleaster as the winner: “The design is small-scale but grand in vision, with a strong coherence between location, function, and form. The plan integrates monumental heritage, landscape, biodiversity, and renewed building types in a thoughtful way. It is precisely this balance and the respectful renewal of the Frisian farmhouse form that make it an inspiring example that transcends the regional context.”
For the LC public award, the committee selected 14 projects on which the public could vote. The public chose from the selected projects ‘Het Bureau’ in Grou. Of the total 2500 votes cast via the Leeuwarder Courant website, ‘the second life of a police station’ received 12% of those votes.
Advisory committee
The jury, officially the advisory committee, sees the prize not only as a reward for the best built project but also as an incentive to act. The committee this edition consisted of architect Titus Mars (chair), architectural and urban history expert Erik Dorsman, and architect Piet Vollaard.
Prize
The Vredeman de Vries Architecture Prize is awarded biennially by the College of Gedeputeerde Staten of Fryslân. The province wants to increase interest in architecture among a broad public with this prize. The prize is named after Hans Vredeman de Vries. This architect, planner, draftsman, and artist was born in Leeuwarden in 1527. He is also known as the founder of the Antwerp Renaissance style.
