Congratulations to the 2021 “Building in natural stone in the 21st century” contest winners
Rocalia 2021 hosted the prize presentation ceremony for the 6th edition which attracted 22 entries.
It was a great contest, attracting 22 entries! Rocalia 2021 hosted the prize presentation ceremony for the 6th edition of the “Building in natural stone in the 21st century” architecture awards. A moment long-awaited by architects and public authorities to see the latest works in the natural stone. Meet the winners!
Building in natural stone in the 21st century trophies
© Nicolas Rodet
Learn more about the “Building in natural stone in the 21st century”
Grand Prix – Blaye Tourist Information Office (33), France
© Arthur Pequin
“The intelligence of style and stone at the heart of our heritage”
Intelligently inserted into existing buildings classified by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage, this first contemporary project built with stone blocks from the Blaye region set out to be simple and sober.
Two different natural stones extracted less than 90 km from the site were used: limestone from Bretignac for the walls and half-hard stone from Frontenac for the windowsills and parapet walls.
The use here of the stone, both for structure and insulation, and a contemporary gesture as it faces the Vauban Citadel in the middle of the historical center of Blaye unanimously appealed to the jury from the outset. An example of the use of stone in urban and environmental coherence.
Owner: Communauté de Communes de Blaye
Site management: Gayet / Roger Architectes
Stone companies: TMH / Francepierre Poitou-Charentes / Les Pierres de Fontenac
6 main benefits of building in natural stone
Special Jury Prize– Les Carrés de Lenfant (13), France
© Battesti Associés
“Pharaonic and Viable”
This project of six office buildings was completely thought out economically, rationally and materially. Stone blocks were chosen for their stability and thermal inertia.
The frontages are made of stone blocks from Castillon-du-Gard. Half-hard stone from the Gard was associated with reinforced concrete floors and shafts.
The construction of six remarkable R+2 buildings housing over 1,400 corporations in stone blocks is, without question, an exceptional way to promote natural stone. Here, the stone from Castillon du Gard gives this monolithic project its friendliness and human scale.
Owner: SCI Les Carrés de Lenfant / Figuière Promotion
Site management: Battesti Associés
Stone companies: Carrières de Provence / Technique Pose / Tonino
Housing Category Prize - 65 units for social housing and purchase at Plan-Les-Ouates (Switzerland)
© 11h45 Photographie d'Architecture
“French stone, an ambassador for our regions and know-how”
The basic concept for this project and the reason why stone blocks were selected was to reduce energy consumption in the building.
The uniqueness of the project is due to the diversified nature of the three stones (from Brétigny, Migné and Estaillades) used to build this housing complex. The properties of each kind of stone meet specific applications. Resistant stone for the ground floor, a less frost-resistant stone for the cornices and window frames and a more porous stone for indoors enabling ventilation.
Three stones (from Brétigny, Migné and Estaillades) were used to build this housing complex that is partly for subsidized rental accommodation and partly for sale. The use of sculpted stone blocks for the 25m high frontage demonstrates the economic and technical feasibility of this kind of project.
Owner: Commune de Plan-Les-Ouates
Site management: Perraudin Archiplein Consortium
Stone companies: France Pierre / Carrière de Provence
Natural stone helps builders respect new French thermal regulation norm RE2020
Activities Building Category Prize - School complex in Opio (06)
© Teissier Portal
“Stone in pride of place as a cradle for education.”
This project provides a top quality, stable and stimulating living space for the pupils. Durable, efficient and timeless in line with the “old school”, it is in historical continuity with the existing buildings and resolutely solemn.
With its mineral envelope and its Estaillades limestone load-bearing walls, the building stays cool during the summer. An ambitious choice aiming to get the BEPOS label and the Gold BDM.
The play of drill bores and the way the thickness of the Estaillades stone was highlighted appealed to the jury. The presence of timber opens the stone and underlines its presence by emphasizing it. The structural stone blocks and the relatively few insulation and ventilation devices ensure the building‘s long life.
Owner: SPL Sophia (Commune d'Opio)
Site management: Teissier Portal Architectes
Stone companies: Tonino / Carrières de Provence
Urban Integration Category Prize – Housing and Shops in Paris (75), France
“Parisian frontages hallmarked by stone”
This challenge was a worthy winner for this collective housing unit aiming for the E3C1 label! Located in the 15th district, it comprises nine social housing units with shops on the ground floor.
Saint-Maximin stone, extracted and cut less than 70km away, was used as it was fast to quarry and deliver, ecologically-friendly, durable and legitimate in the context of Paris.
The eternal Saint-Maximin stone is always favored by architects. If proof were needed check out this project which is eco-friendly and innovative both by its design and its implementation. A project which highlights the stone while fitting it into an urban environment intelligently.
Owner: RIVP
Site management: Architectures Raphaël Gabrion
Stone companies: Philippe d'Art / Rocamat - Ouachée Corpechot
Honorable Mention by the Urban Integration Jury - 8 family homes in Paris (75), France
“Measured Audacity in the service of stone”
Nestled in the middle of Paris’s 6th district, this project features original curved frontages achieving a balance between discretion and contemporary architecture, reinterpreting the Parisian model.
Self-supporting, simply attached to a concrete wall, the Vassens stone conserves the link with Parisian historical architecture and provides good thermal inertia.
This impressive project in Vassens stone plays to the rhythm of the composition while controlling its immediate surroundings. An expression found not only in the surprising frontages but also in the interior space. The use of stone in a self-supporting structure and its sculpted sensuality convinced the jury to award an Honorable Mention.
Owner: RIVP
Site management: J-C Quinton Architecte
Stone companies: Carrière de Vassens / Hérès / Batipose
We congratulate all the winners! If you want to see more astonishing natural stone constructions check out Rocalia on the social networks!
