Press releases

BARCO ONE CAMPUS – Atrium Walls (AVC, Belgium)

Curved interior facades made from aluminium and Plexiglas: here we see how AVC Doors & Walls developed, designed, produced and installed interior facades on top of various elliptical floor areas, all of which in the eyes of the jury created a perfect lightweight-construction facade. To create terraces in the atrium, the floors were also curved. The minimalist walls consist of aluminium frames.

Port House Antwerp (GrovenPlus, Belgium)

The jury also honoured a facade that’s a par excellence demonstration of the versatility of aluminium in architecture. The NIEUW HAVENHUIS in Antwerp serves as the headquarters for the port authority. Made from aluminium and glass, the wave-like curving construction references the building’s unusual location on the water while simultaneously reflecting Antwerp’s role as the city of diamonds. The office was designed by Dame Zaha Hadid, the star architect who passed away unexpectedly right before the completion of the building.

A big step into the future. That’s how the jury praised the submission by Land Rover & NOVELIS. Recycling is key in turning aluminium into an inexhaustible resource. To get closer to that goal, the new automotive aluminium alloy RC5754 was developed, which uses more reprocessed automotive aluminium scrap than ever before. 

ATTACH table system (Grumdesign & Lammhults, Denmark/ Sweden)

In part, this table won over the jury because of its design and the exceptional flexibility regarding table shapes and sizes. But the production method and material selection is what catapulted the ATTACH table system, which consists of just one extruded bar and a cast table leg, to the top of this category.

ALUMASTER High Speed Disc (August Rüggeberg, Germany)

The ALUMASTER® High Speed Disc is a unique tool with an extremely high cutting performance developed specifically for angle grinders. The jury praised the milling carbide cutting inserts, which can be turned multiple times before being used up. With all that, this handheld tool is ideal for aluminium processing because no hazardous or explosive dust is generated. The tool’s special design ensures maximum safety. 

Façade P+R Garage Trainstation Elst, NL (Van Campen Industries, Netherlands)

This facade was recognised with the Special Prize for the way it plays with aluminium’s enormous possibilities in building construction and for its never-before-seen form. The prefabricated aluminium components for the facade of the Garage Trainstation Elst consist of twisted aluminium blades. The resulting visual effect creates dynamism and depth in the facade, which transforms the building into a moving silhouette. Situated adjacent to a train line, the garage is perfectly in tune with the dynamism of the railway.

Light Rider 3D-printed motorcycle (Niels Grafen TU München / Airbus APWorks, Germany)

Recognised as a trailblazer: Light Rider, the world’s first 3D-printed motorcycle. Niels Grafen is the first designer to put an entire vehicle on the road that uses nothing but 3D-printed load-bearing components. Grafen’s design approach – namely topology optimisation combined with 3D printing – powers urban mobility.

Solar Fingerplate (Austria Druckguss, Austria)

The jury spoke particularly highly of the clever use of aluminium, which optimally leverages every benefit, including the material’s light weight and castability. Solar Fingerplate’s cast piece demonstrates the potential of die casting as a source for the structural components required for alternative-energy generation. It’s used in ground-mounted photovoltaics installations exposed to high winds.

AUDI AG 

A very special prize was awarded for the first time at the tenth ALUMINIUM AWARD: the ALUMINIUM Lifetime Achievement Award. The jury bestowed this particular award to recognise AUDI AG for its outstanding achievements as a pioneer and innovation driver in the aluminium-automotive sector. AUDI AG had already won the EUROPEAN ALUMINIUM AWARD in the Automotive category back in 1994 and 2000, for its A2 and A8 models. Having broken new ground with the introduction of the first aluminium car, the A8, Audi has been setting standards for over 20 years. 

ViaLuce (Project 21c / SAPA Extrusions Raeren, Belgium)

ViaLuce is an exterior luminaire for residential and public spaces. It meets lighting requirements not currently met by standard luminaires. ViaLuce does not require external power – which means existing gardens or structures don’t have to be disturbed. In the eyes of show visitors, that made the project deserving of an award.