ABB : celebrates 2018 LEAF Awards

ABB joins the world's architectural design community to celebrate the best international architecture projects

Pioneering technology leader ABB marked its second year as headline partner and trophy patron of the ABB LEAF (Leading European Architecture Forum) Awards 2018, when over 100 figures from the world of architecture and design came together in Germany to recognize outstanding international building projects.

The annual awards ceremony, now in its 17^th year, took place on Thursday 18th October at the Frankfurt Marriott Hotel and ran alongside its partner event, LEAF Forum 2018.

As befits its international status, the 2018 LEAF Awards saw entries from all corners of the globe, including Brazil, China, Kuwait, Switzerland, UK and USA, compete in a wide range of categories, from Best Tall Building Project to Best Future Building of the Year (under construction and on drawing board).

Commenting on the awards, Katrin Förster, International Key Account Manager for Architects and Interior Designers at ABB, said: 'ABB has a strong heritage of innovation that combines clever design with smart solutions to transform the lives of our customers. It is this powerful combination of technology and design that makes ABB a fitting partner for the LEAF Awards. We were impressed by the quality and innovation of this year's shortlisted projects, which saw the integration of cutting-edge architecture with thoughtful implementation to create welcoming spaces.'

The judging panel, made up of leading industry names, assessed each entry and composed a shortlist of projects for the 14 categories, which celebrate the most innovative architecture projects in the world.

'At ABB our vision is clear; we're committed to combining stylish design with smart technology to make the spaces we live, work and relax in, the most comfortable and secure places they can be. Reviewing the 2018 shortlist just shows how much talent is out there, with people using their design skills to create memorable buildings for now and the future,' added Katrin.

During the ceremony, the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sir David Chipperfield. Sir David has been at the forefront of the industry since setting up David Chipperfield Architects in 1985 and was knighted in 2010 for his services to architecture in the UK and Germany.

ABB's Regional Sales Manager, Central & North Europe, Torsten Nolting, also hosted a presentation on Artificial Intelligence in buildings, highlighting how intelligent design can transform people's lives and make commercial and residential spaces more comfortable, sustainable and connected.

The 2018 judging panel comprised:

Roland Bechmann - Managing Director & Partner, Werner Sobek, Stuttgart Kai-Uwe Bergmann - Partner, BIG, New York and Copenhagen Andrew Bromberg - Andrew Bromberg at Aedas, Hong Kong Sir Peter Cook - Director, Crab Studio, London Peter Cerno - Owner, Cerno Architekten, Munich Alan Crawford - Architect and Founder, Crawford Partnership, London Werner Frosch - Director, Henning Larsen, Munich Ciara Gormley - Head of Architecture, LODHA, Mahalaxmi, India Viviana Muscettola - Associate Director, Zaha Hadid, London Tateo Nakajima - Director | Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Arup, London Alireza Razavi - Director, Studio Razavi, Paris Paolo Rossi - Associate Director, Pace, Kuwait City Christina Seilern - Principal, Studio Seilern, London Professor Bob Sheil - Director, Bartlett School of Architecture, London Cees Van der Spek - Public Affairs & Global Corporate Relations Director, OVG, Amsterdam Thomas Willemeit - CEO and Founding Partner, Graft, Berlin

The 2018 LEAF Award winners included:

Overall Winner - Zaha Hadid Architects, 'Port House', Antwerp, Belgium

Lifetime Achievement of the Year - Sir David Chipperfield

Best Tall Building Project - Aedas, 'The Beacon', Hong Kong

Best Regenerative Impact - IDOM, 'New Lecture Room Block', Alioune Diop University, Bambey, Senegal

Best Façade Design & Engineering - Zaha Hadid Architects, '520 West 28th', New York, US

Residential Building (Single Occupancy) - Studio mk27, 'Planar House', São Paulo, Brazil

Residential Building (Multiple Occupancy) - Studio mk27, 'Somosaguas', Madrid, Spain

Interior Design Award (Completed and Future) - INNOCAD Architecture, 'Schaudepot History Museum', Graz, Austria

Commercial Building - INNOCAD Architecture, 'CUBEND C&P Corporate Office', Graz, Austria

Hospitality Building (Completed and Future) - anySCALE, 'Wuyuan Skywells Hotel', Jiangxi, China

Refurbishment - Zaha Hadid Architects, 'Port House', Antwerp, Belgium

Public Building - West-line Studio, 'Shui Cutural Centre', Guizhou, China

Best Achievement in Environmental Performance (Completed and Future) - Zaha Hadid Architects, 'KAPSARC (King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre)', Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Best Future Building (Under Construction and Drawing Board) - Margot Krasojević Architecture, 'Self-Excavation Hurricane House', Louisiana, US

Urban Design Project (Completed and Future) - Urban Planning & Design Institute of Southeast University, 'Living Corridor', Suzhou, China

Mixed Use Building - West-line studio, 'Guizhou Fire Station', Guizhou, China