The Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture award has been granted every second year to an architecturally distinguished Individual or group. The award recipient has been chosen by a jury of international experts.
The Wood Architecture Park is being constructed around the Sibelius Hall in Lahti. It consist of structures designed by the winners of the Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award.
SPIRIT OF NATURE 2000
Renzo Piano is among the architects with the widest international renown of our times and the recipient of several awards. The buildings designed by him are characterised by innovative and natural constructions combined with a sophisticated finish.
SPIRIT OF NATURE 2002
Kengo Kuma’s designs in wood include museums, theatres and spas, combines up-to-date expertise with a profound respect for the japanese heritage. The award was instrumental in introducing Kuma to international audiences.
SPIRIT OF NATURE 2004
Richard Leplastrier known for his ascetic, carefully thought out and impressively skilled use of wood. Leplastrier provides space for both events and nature. In his designs he attempts to understand both humans, materials and the environment
SPIRIT OF NATURE 2006
Peter Zumthor studies the modern use of log frames in his wooden buildings. His works represent the whole range of emotions. The emotional traces left by his minimalist designs are slow to fade.
SPIRIT OF NATURE 2008
José Cruz Ovalle’s structural use of wood strives for an extreme functionality combined with technical perfection. Buildings by Cruz Ovalle contain sculptural spaces opening out of each other and are characterised by an unrelenting attention to functionality.
SPIRIT OF NATURE 2010
Hermann Kaufmann builds sustainably and beautifully from wood, with people and for people. In his work, little details that arouse admiration and their uncompromising finishing are above all based on functionality and a sensitive awareness of materials.
SPIRIT OF NATURE 2012
Bijoy Jain’s architecture is based on the progressive and creative use of wood. it bears the hallmarks of sustainable architecture. His buildings are unpretentious architecture, whose themes have been developed through research into and knowledge of materials.
SPIRIT OF NATURE 2015
Mika Airaksela is a Finnish innovator in wood construction who has promoted sustainable development of the built environment. In his work, Airaksela has strived to reduce the energy consumption of buildings throughout their life cycle.
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Erkko Aarti is emerging young architect from Helsinki, working in Aarti Ollila Ristola Architecture. The team designs from products to large-scale architecture. AOR respects traditional craftsmanship and share a keen understanding of materials.