Hariri Pontarini Architects has received the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s (RAIC) 2013 Architectural Firm Award. The award was presented in June at the RAIC Festival of Architecture in Halifax.
Representing more than 4,600 members, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada is the leading voice of architecture in Canada. Its Architectural Firm Award recognizes the achievements of a firm for “its quality of architecture, its service to its clients, its innovations in practice, contributions to architectural education and to professional institutions and associations and public recognition.”
In announcing the award recipient, the jury noted: “Hariri Pontarini Architects’ work is noteworthy and significant in the rigour, balance, and utter refinement of form, materials and detail control and utmost precision in execution, evidenced in all their projects. The jury particularly appreciated the range of work – from high-rise housing to public buildings – all demonstrating responsiveness to site, program and tectonics.”
“It is a great honour to receive this award, to be recognized in such esteemed company and to be chosen by our distinguished peers on the jury,” said Siamak Hariri, a partner in the practice. “This award is a testament to our clients and the success of our collaborations throughout the years.”
Established in 1994, Hariri Pontarini Architects has designed and delivered a broad range of cultural, academic, residential, institutional, and commercial projects.
See Hariri Pontarini Architects’ portfolio here.
Forthcoming projects include the internationally acclaimed Baha’i House of Worship in Santiago, Chile. It is the final continental Baha’i Temple, taking its place among seven existing temples in Australia, Germany, India, Panama, Uganda, the United States, and Western Samoa.
The design of the House of Worship was inspired by what architect Siamak Hariri calls “a glowing temple of light, inviting to people of all faiths.”
According to Mr. Hariri, “Light, the connecting force of the universe, shapes all aspects of the design. By day, light draws you into the building, and concentrates at the oculus. Light creates an interior experience of ever-changing texture and unpredictable iridescence as it is filtered through the inner tracery of wood.
“The stone shell glows with a dreamlike serenity at night. Golden light spills out between the leaves, and the inner form of the building is revealed.”
Construction of the edifice commenced with excavation in late 2010, and is scheduled for completion in 2016. A new video detailing the progress of the construction can be viewed here.
For more details about the Chile House of Worship, please visit the official website of the Baha’i Temple of South America.