Daniel Libeskind joined the jury of the St. Petersburg-based international architectural awards

News of the Awards

Daniel Libeskind, one of the most famous architects in the world, joined the Jury of the Third International Golden Trezzini Awards for Architecture and Design.

“The key concept of Daniel Libeskind’s philosophy is New Modernism he defined in the late 20th century as the end of Modernism,” says Pavel Chernyakov, Chairman of the Golden Trezzini Awards Arrangements Committee. “The point is that Modernism as a period of intense cultural enrichment and a time of great masters doesn’t last for a few tens of years, but for about three thousand years. Today, it is approaching its end, and it is unclear what lies ahead. I’m not sure if we can call Libeskind a visionary, but the thing is that a vulgar virus, currently blasting up all the humanity’s cultural codes, to say nothing of economics and international relations, can become a symbol of this period’s expiration. Along with other professional contests and festivals, Golden Trezzini is to demonstrate if architects and designers are ready to stand up to this challenge. Daniel Libeskind on the Jury is yet another proof that projects submitted to the architectural awards in the coronavirus era will be evaluated not just by the best, but by the greatest architects.”

An international figure in architecture and urban design, the architect Daniel Libeskind is renowned for his ability to evoke cultural memory and is informed by a deep commitment to music, philosophy, and literature. Mr. Libeskind aims to create architecture that is resonant, original, and sustainable. Born in Lód’z, Poland, in 1946, Mr. Libeskind immigrated to the United States as a teenager and, with his family, settled in the Bronx. After studying music in New York and Israel on an American-Israel Cultural Foundation Scholarship, he developed into a musical virtuoso, before eventually leaving music to study architecture. He received his professional degree in architecture from the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in 1970 and a postgraduate degree in the history and theory of architecture from the School of Comparative Studies at Essex University in England in 1972.

Daniel Libeskind established his architectural studio in Berlin, Germany, in 1989 after winning the competition to build the Jewish Museum in Berlin. In February 2003, Studio Libeskind moved its headquarters from Berlin to New York City when Daniel Libeskind was selected as the master planner for the World Trade Center redevelopment. Daniel Libeskind’s practice is involved in designing and realizing a diverse array of urban, cultural and commercial projects internationally. The Studio has completed buildings that range from museums and concert halls to convention centers, university buildings, hotels, shopping centers and residential towers.

As Principal Design Architect for Studio Libeskind, Mr. Libeskind speaks widely on the art of architecture in universities and professional summits. His architecture and ideas have been the subject of many articles and exhibitions, influencing the field of architecture and the development of cities and culture. His new book Edge of Order, detailing his creative process, was published in 2018. Mr. Libeskind lives in New York with his wife and business partner, Nina Libeskind. He is a Jury Member of the Lazar Khidekel Award.

The Studio Libeskind office headquarters are in New York.

The International Golden Trezzini Awards for Architecture and Design is named after Domenico Trezzini (1670—1734), the first architect of St. Petersburg and the founder of Petrine Baroque. The Awards has been held in St. Petersburg since 2018, supported by the Representative Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the Russian Federation in St. Petersburg, the Embassy of Russia to Switzerland, the Embassy of Switzerland to Russia, the Union of Architects of Russia, the Architectural Council of Moscow, and other Russian and international authorities.

The motto of the Awards is “Architecture as Art.” The Awards is intended to scout for architectural, designer and restoration projects that in terms of artistic value can be regarded as works of art. The Golden Trezzini’s work shall be coordinated by the International Council, chaired by Mikhail Piotrovsky, President of the World Club of St. Petersburgers and General Director of the State Hermitage. The Awards Jury includes 180+ experts from 28 countries.

The winners will be awarded with Domenico Trezzini golden figurines on December 1 in St. Petersburg. The best projects submitted by the participants of the Golden Trezzini-2020 will be showcased at an exhibition in the Peter and Paul Fortress, and then added to the collection of the State Museum of St. Petersburg History.

Entries for the Thirds International Golden Trezzini Awards for Architecture and design can be submitted at www.goldtrezzini.ru till October 15, 2020. Participation in the Awards is free of charge.

The General Partner of the Golden Trezzini Awards is the State Museum of St. Petersburg History. The System Partner is RBI Group. The Official Awarding Partner is LenRusStroy Building Corporation. To see a full list of the Awards partners, please, check: https://goldtrezzini.ru/en/partners-of-the-golden-trezzini-awards-2020/.

Photo: Stefan Ruiz