On 18 November, Minister of Economic Affairs Barke awarded the ‘Orte der Arbeit’ Saarland architecture prize to architectural firm ARUS GmbH Willi Latz and developer Strukturholding Saar (SHS) for the new Saarbrücken city police headquarters building.
This architecture prize, awarded by the Saarland Chamber of Architects and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, is a distinction granted jointly to architects and developers. It honours exemplary buildings and recognises pioneering concepts.
At the award ceremony, the judging panel praised the urban integration and functional requirements of the Saarbrücken city police headquarters, as well as the user involvement and high-quality design that set this very special building apart. They also emphasised the unusually complex planning work. The new building is therefore a successful example of significant, sustainable and functional architecture and combines a high standard of design with innovative solutions in order to meet the needs of a modern security building.
Strukturholding Saar took charge of all project management (from the planning stages all the way through to commissioning) via its subsidiary LEG Service, with activities including area preparation, project leadership and management, tender and procurement procedures, and health & safety coordination.
Valentin Holzer, CEO of Strukturholding Saar: ‘I am delighted about this award and would like to thank everyone involved in development and execution. The prize demonstrates that Strukturholding is able to plan and construct buildings for its clients that are aesthetically and functionally appealing whilst also in keeping with the times. The police headquarters is setting new standards in Saarland with its combination of understated design and clear functionality.’
Willi Latz, architect and CEO of ARUS GmbH, Püttlingen: ‘We felt our role was to create a place where the people who are responsible for the city’s security on a daily basis could feel happy and valued. However, to us, the prize also serves as recognition for the exceptional collaboration between all involved – from the police, to the developer SHS, to the planners. Good architecture requires dialogue.’
Further information is available at www.architektur.staatspreis.saarland.
