Project
House for Architectural Heritage

Nomination 
Best Constructed Public Building or Facility

About the project
The house for Architectural Heritage houses the collection of sketches and drawings by architect John Yarwood, as well as it is an exhibition space for architecture. The project is conceived as a beam structure that frames the existing adjacent walls of the 2 neighbouring buildings, serving as a showcase for the architectural heritage of the city, the old and the new. The building is an intrinsic expression of the urban condition of the plot, offering an x-ray view into the urban form of the city and revealing the different phases of construction that the city has witnessed. The 2 main facades contain sliding doors that can be lifted within the height of the beam, opening the space to the streets, and transforming the building into a public passage, encouraging more public participation. The project addresses through its conception the challenges of creating cultural spaces that hold a more participatory approach to local communities to provide a new exhibition typology.

Location
Muharraq, Bahrain

Project implemented in
2018

More project images
https://www.dezeen.com/2019/02/03/bahrain-gallery-leopold-banchini-house-architectural-heritage-muharraq/

Additional information
LBA has gained recognition through a number of prices and publications. Amongst others, it was awarded the Golden Lion at the Venice Architectural Biennale and the Swiss Art Awards. His work has been presented at the Swiss Architecture Museum, Art Basel Design at Large, CCB Lisbon, Victoria and Albert Museum, MUDAC Lausanne, etc. His projects have been published in websites and print publications such as Dezzen, Architonic, Designboom, Archdaily, DETAIL, The Architectural Review, Wallpaper, etc.

Applicant and authors of the project

Leopold Banchini Architects is a multidisciplinary team exploring space shaping and project making established in Geneva. Focusing in political and environmental issues, architecture is addresses as social action, using DIY culture and eclecticism as means for emancipation.
Architects Leopold Banchini and Noura Al Sayeh Holtrop.

 

 

Other participants
Client Sh. Ebrahim Centre for Culture & Research. Most of the elements were tailor-made and the materials manufactured and installed on-site by local artisans and contractors. Photo credits Dylan Perrenoud.