Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT) by AL_A unveiled as Supreme Winner at Surface Design Awards 2018

Posted in Events, News on 15 February, 2018

The winners of this year’s Surface Design Awards have been announced, unveiling some of the best projects from across the globe which feature innovative and exciting materials and surfaces.

The Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology (MAAT) in Lisbon by AL_A was announced Supreme Winner as well as winner of the Public Building Exterior Surface.

The design builds upon Portugal’s rich tradition of craft and ceramics, almost 15,000 three-dimensional crackle glazed tiles articulate the façade and produce a complex surface that gives mutable readings of water, light and shadow. The project was described by Jo Littlefair as “promoting art and architecture just by being there”. Making the win all the more impressive, AL_A were up against spectacular entries from Foster & Partners, Heatherwick Studio and The Manser Project.

Max Arrocet director at AL_A commented on the win: “We’re honoured that MAAT has been recognised and it’s a testament of a great collaboration with a visionary client and exceptional craftsmen who helped us realise the museum and its ceramic façade in particular.”

In several categories, the best in applied surface design was put forward by a number of brilliant architects and designers including Coffey Architects, Giles Miller Studio and Studio Octopi amongst others.

The Surface Design Awards took place on the 8 February as part of Surface Design Show 2018. The Surface Design Show is the only event in the UK focusing solely on interior and exterior surface design, facilitating thousands of innovative and thrilling materials to connect with an audience of architects and designers.

Launched in 2013, Surface Design Awards has grown exponentially in both stature and quality. International growth has been staggering this year with project entries from 16 different countries. 51% of the projects were outside the UK. 13 from China, 7 from Portugal and further entries from Spain, Italy, India, Egypt, Canada, America, Belgium, Lithuania, Taiwan and Hungary. There were 39 entries from the UK, 69% of these being from London. The most popular categories entered were Commercial Interiors and Housing Interiors.

The judging panel of the eleven Award categories was co-chaired by Tina Norden, of Conran and Partners, and Ab Rogers of Ab Rogers Design. The judges included Jenny Jones of Studio Jenny Jones, Sacha Leong of Studioilse, Constantina Tsoutsikou of HBA London, Jo Littlefair of Goddard Littlefair, Howard Sullivan of YourStudio and Nir Gilad of Nous Design, all of whom are experts in their fields.

Surface Design Awards 2018 – Winners

Commercial Interior Surface

Vanke Day Park Sales Office, Shenzhen, China, Zhao Yu & Culture Exhibition Centre

Commercial Exterior Surface

Friendly Border Apartments, Lisbon, Portugal, Maria Ana Vasco Costa for GAS2 Architects

Light and Surface Interior

Soundscapes, Gistel, Belgium, Zumi

Light and Surface Exterior

Beach Hut Monument for Beachy, Eastbourne, UK, Stephen Foley, Head Lady

Sustainable Exterior Surface

Valley Villa, Vilnius, Lithuania, Arches

Public Building Interior Surface

Science Museum, London, UK, Coffey Architects

Public Building Exterior Surface

Museum of Art, Architecture, Lisbon, Portugal, AL_A and Technology (MAAT)

House Interior Surface

House 13, London, UK, Studio Octopi

Housing Exterior Surface (joint winners)

1. Presidente Arriaga Building, Lisbon, Portugal, Maria Ana Vasco Costa for STC Arquitectos
2. John Ruskin Street, London, UK, David Stanley and Romy Grabosch

Retail Interior Surface

Cannavacciuolo Bistrot Torino, Turin, Italy, Davide Squariciapino of Delta Tecno Studio

Temporary Surface

The Bolt, London, UK, Giles Miller Studio