SPARK RECEIVES ‘ARCHITECT OF THE YEAR’ PRIZE AT GERMAN DESIGN COUNCIL AWARDS

SPARK Director Max Titchmarsh accepted the German Design Council’s 2014 ‘Architects of the Year’ award on 6 October in a ceremony at BMW World in Munich. The jury recognised SPARK’s ability to strike a balance between social, economic and environmental factors while upholding a highly innovative design approach, and noted SPARK’s intent of making a positive contribution to the perception of the city.

The jury stated:

Many architectural offices achieve sustainable planning while maintaining social compatibility. However, only a few are able to set new standards in design and uphold a high level of quality across different cultural spheres.

The relatively young, multiple award winning and internationally operating architecture and design studio SPARK is undoubtedly one of them.

The multi-faceted work of the studio primarily demonstrates a constantly high level of awareness of the great amount of potential that architecture has to offer, namely to provide a positive contribution to the perception of a city, as well as illustrating that pragmatic aspects and extraordinary aesthetics do not necessarily represent a contradiction.

Throughout all of its projects, the manner in which SPARK strikes the right balance between social, economic and environmental factors on an international level, thereby creating objects possessing a highly innovative design, is commendable – and unanimously convinced the jury.

In the words of SPARK Director Jan F. Clostermann, winning the ‘Architects of the Year’ accolade is “hugely encouraging to our young practice.” He adds, “We are extremely grateful to each and every member of our 100-strong team, and to the German Design Council for the generous prize that comes with the award.” SPARK intends to use the prize money to establish a bursary fund that will support talented young architecture students who need financial help.