Ausgezeichnet: Handelsarchitektur aus NRW
The exhibition is an initiative of the European House of City and Building Culture e.V., Gelsenkirchen
The exhibition on retail architecture is part of a series of presentations that center around the topic of Corporate Architecture, as more exhibitions on the theme will be following.
The exhibition acknowledges the North Rhine-Westphalian way to set about the issue of urban design and urbanity in city centers. The approach is worthwhile to be kept communicated.
Quality in retail architecture is rising: Large scale companies, industries as well as retail and wholesaler take an increasing responsibility for a coherent image of the city and improvements in the surrounding. There is an increasing sense for good architectural language as it can foster a corporate identity positively.
The exhibition demonstrates how the State of North Rhine-Westphalia promotes high-quality retail architecture: the public interest is stirred and decision-makers in companies are directed towards a discussion on the issue as well.
Aedes presents the full selection of projects that where warded with the " Prize for excellent retail architecture in NRW, and two additional out-standing projects.
The following offices will participate:
Igel Architekten, Feinhals Architekten, Gatermann + Schossig, Richard Meier Architects, Bolles + Wilson, Hermann & Valentiny et Associés, bernd kniess architekten, Nattler Architekten, AIG, Atelier Prof. Fritschi + Stahl + Baum, drewes + strenge.
Retail architecture today: splendid entertainment productions or bald boxes in the suburbs?
In March 2004 the initiative StadtBaukultur NRW (UrbanDesignCulture Northrhine-Westfalia) awarded the "Prize for Excellent Retail Architecture in NRW".
The initiative reacts with this prize to a trend change, which can be seen in the relationship between architecture and retail.
Notice: Outstanding retail buildings are not only erected in Birmingham (Selfridges) and Tyrol (M-Preis) but also in Northrhine-Westfalia. Big and small retailers are noticing, that building design can be an additional trademark for their businesses.
The trend change is one reason that more then 100 projects were submitted to the competition. The spectrum of proposed projects was everything between an inner city jewelry store and suburban mega mall.
For decades retailers favored functional buildings in suburban settings and huge advertisement signs. The current trend slowly starts to change this situation:
Nowadays architects accept again retail buildings as important design tasks and also retailers have an increasing interest in the quality of architecture and urban settings. Today building and urban design concepts can not only act as sales promotion but also enhance the well being of costumers and cities.
Project management Aedes: Isolde Nagel.
