Introduction

COMPETITION ORGANISERS
Brutalist Facelift

‘Brutalist’ architecture, despite the type’s significance to the study of building design, has drawn a great amount of criticism since its appearance in the mid-20th century.

From the United States to Europe to Asia, many examples of Brutalist buildings face demolition, having reached an end to their original lifespans and requiring major renovations. Some owners cite the difficulties of adapting these structures to new programmatic or functional needs. Others simply demand the removal of these buildings due to their ‘inhuman’ nature and lack of transparency, claiming them as eyesores to their communities in both urban and suburban settings. There are instances, though, of Brutalist buildings having been successfully overhauled and restored.

This competition sought new ideas for this practice, focusing specifically on an abandoned apartment block in Liepaja, Latvia, a Russian and Soviet-influenced port city on the Baltic Sea, and a region that is home to many such buildings. Bee Breeders architecture competition organisers and its partners in the municipality of Liepaja would like to thank those who participated in this design competition.

1st Prize Winner

Project name

win1

Authors
Ilana Simhon
Country
United States

2nd Prize Winner

Project name

win2

Authors
Joanna Burton
Country
Spain

3rd Prize Winner

Project name

win3

Authors
Emily Kutil
Jordan Hicks
Country
United States

Honorable Mentions

Show Honorables Mentions (6 of 6) Hide Honorables Mentions projects
Project name

h1

Authors
Ayesha Moghal
Joseph Yau
Country
Canada
Project name

h2

Authors
Thomas Ugo Ermacora
Tere Garcia Alcaraz
James W Brady
Country
United Kingdom
Project name

h3

Authors
Larisa Ratoi
Alexandru Oprita
Laurentiu Constantin
Country
Romania
Project name

h4

Authors
Lucía Martínez
Country
Spain
Project name

h5

Authors
Anna Rita Emili
Country
Italy
Project name

h6

Authors
Marco Corazza
Alessandra D'Apolito
Vincenzo Di Salvia
Simona D'Apolito
Country
Italy