Beauty and efficiency – Prix Acier 2021

It is time for our steel construction awards from 2007, 2014 and 2016 to close ranks – the collection of awards is receiving a welcome addition. In the 8th edition of the competition for the best Swiss steel and metal buildings of recent years, the Stade de la Tuilière was awarded the Prix Acier 2021. With pride and joy, the award-winning team consisting of the client (city of Lausanne), structural engineer (Lüchinger+Meyer), architects (:mlzd & Sollberger Bögli) and steel construction company (SOTTAS) accepted the prizes on 7 October in the festive setting of the Kursaal Bern.

In his laudation, jury member Sébastien Emery praised the new football stadium as “a perfect example of the combination of different materials whose properties are fully exploited” and a “strong symbol of the cultural, sporting and architectural identity of the city of Lausanne.” The Stade de la Tuilière is an architectural and technical masterpiece. “It offers a simple and captivating readability of the structure. This seemingly simple construction features a subtle balance between the different materials used and forces. The stadium’s design, with its recurring geometry and clean lines, was awarded for its “perfect combination of beauty and efficiency.”

The moderator of the evening, Judit Solt, also praised the remarkable balance of materials in the subsequent questioning of the award winners. Project manager Andrea Bassetti referred to the special performance and efficiency of the steel construction. 12’000 m2 of roof area in the stadium are supported by only 17 columns. Architect Daniele Di Giacinto concluded by evoking the “kiss” of the structures …

The Swiss Steel and Metal Construction Prize Prix Acier is awarded every two years by SZS Stahlbau Zentrum Schweiz with the support of metal.suisse, the umbrella organisation of the steel, metal and façade construction industry. A total of 43 projects competed for the prestigious award.
Our special thanks go to the SZS for once again organising and carrying out the process in an exemplary manner, as well as for the festive closing ceremony!

(Photos: Natalie Bänninger, SZS)