José Maria Sànchez Garcia Wins BSI Swiss Architectural Award

In its fourth award, the BSI Swiss Architectural Award states it values work that "contributes to contemporary architectural theory and practice and who have shown particular sensitivity to landscape and the environmental context." The award goes to José María Sánchez García for three particular projects: Roman Temple of Diana Environments in Merida (2005-2008), International Center for Sports Innovation in the Natural Environment "The Ring" (Cáceres, 2008-2009), and the Rowing Pavilion in Alange (Badajoz, 2008-2010).

José María Sánchez García graduated from the Polytechnic University of Madrid (ETSAM) in 2002, where he is associate professor in architecture. He started his eponymous office in 2006 and has created in 8 short years a number of striking and highly mature works.

Jury* chair Mario Botta praises Garcia's work as "both well-measured and powerful at the same time, devoid of formal complacency. He is able to give order and shape to a location while highlighting its specific features. The formal reduction that he creates is accompanied by a great sensitivity in interpreting the site, thereby opening up a rich dialogue."

Further Botta states: "He has won this award among very strong competition coming from a wide range of contexts and styles, which serves to confirm the validity of the selection procedure ... and the truly international character of this award." This competition includes Johnstonmarklee, LTL Architects, Smiljan Radic, Sergison Bates, and TYIN Tegnestue, among 20 more highly commendable candidates.

The CHF 100,000 prize is sponsored by the BSI Architectural Foundation, under the aegis of the Swiss Federal Office for Culture in Bern and the Mendrisio Architecture Academy (Università della Svizzera Italiana), and in cooperation with the Archivio del Moderno in Mendrisio. José Maria Sanchez Gàrcia will receive the award in a ceremony at the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio, Switzerland, on September 18, 2014.

*The jury was chaired by Swiss architect Mario Botta and was comprised of Alberto Campo Baeza (Spain), Marc Collomb (Switzerland, director of the Academy of Architecture in Mendrisio), Charles Kleiber (Switzerland, chairman of the BSI Architectural Foundation) and Bruno Reichlin (Switzerland). The secretary of the award is Nicola Navone (Switzerland).