Today as the first day of the course module ,Mediating Architecture’ my 37 international Master Students of the Institute for Architecture and Planning at the University of Liechtenstein and myself have visited Valendas, a little village in the Grison Alps. Part of the excursion was a visit to the exhibition of Constructive-Alps http://www.constructivealps.net/, an international architecture prize for sustainable construction and renovation in the Alps. The competition is a contribution towards implementing the Alpine Convention's Action Plan on Climate Change in the Alps. The ‘Gasthaus am Brunnen’ (Gion A. Caminada) and the ‚Türalihus‘ (Capaul Blumenthal Architects) set in the village centre of Valendas have won the 2nd price of the 2015 competition. The ‘Gasthaus am Brunnen’ has the aim to secure work in the village and to generate – together with the project «faszinatur Valendas Rheinschlucht» direct added value for farmers, tourism providers, people involved in culture, local suppliers and creative minds. And finally we had a very interesting tour through the village, which dates back to the 16th century.
I would like to thank Robert Mair, jury member of the competition and who has been present to give us a project insight. And a big thank you to Silvia Jost, Head of the International Affairs Staff Division, Federal Office for Spatial Development (ARE) in Switzerland and coordinator of the Constructive-Alps competition. Thank you all, it was a great day! Celina Martinez-Cañavate
