Yevlakh Seed Industry Campus wins World’s Best Production, Energy and Recycling building at World Architecture Festival Awards 2010

Yevlakh Seed Industry Campus, Azerbaijan, designed by, TOCA, Turkey, has won the ‘World’s Best Production, Energy and Recycling Building’ award at the prestigious World Architecture Festival Awards (WAF Awards) 2010.  Yevlakh Seed Industry Campus is a plant built on a 70,000 m2 area of Yevlakh city which is situated in close proximity to agricultural districts of Azerbaijan. The plant is projected to produce 250,000 tons of hybrid seeds and is the first and only production unit of its kind in the country. Its identify is the revelation of machinery, which is designed as integrated parts of a single machine.

The presentation of the WAF Awards is taking place during the biggest global celebration of architecture - the World Architecture Festival, which is being held at the Centre Convencions International Barcelona (CCIB) this week. The winning project is by a very young architectural practice. It was chosen by some of the world’s most distinguished architects and renowned industry experts, beating off competition from a shortlist of four entries.

The judges said: “It is a unique project that works as a machine and its form emphasises the machinery, the plan is clear. The use of strong provocative colours has symbolic meaning and provides a unique character related to the function of the building. Additionally, the reinterpretation of the shed form is a very strong strategy.”

Speaking at the WAF Awards 2010 Paul Finch, WAF Programme Director, said: “World Architecture Festival brings international architecture to the forefront, against the backdrop of Barcelona’s breathtaking architecture. Yet again we received a huge response to the fiercely contested WAF Awards, with over 500 entries from 61 different countries. The geographical range and quality of this year’s designs were exceptionally high, with a great deal of entries from “new” economies, both by local architects and international practices. Our congratulations go to the winners for a project that is truly exceptional.”

The WAF Awards see unsung local buildings take on internationally acclaimed projects in what is the world’s biggest architecture contest. Unlike other architectural competitions, architects present their work in front of leading industry judges and a live public audience as they compete for the accolade of ‘World Building of the Year’. This is the 3rd year the World Architecture Festival Awards have been presented. Previous winners include ‘World Building of the Year 2008’ - Luigi Bocconi University, Milan, designed by Irish practice Grafton Architects and ‘World Building of the Year 2009’ - Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre in South Africa, designed by Peter Rich Architects of Johannesburg.


/World Architecture Festival Awards/