Fifth Edition of the Manni Group Design Award: Iron Island. The reconversion of the giants of the sea

Fifth Edition of the Manni Group Design Award: Iron Island.

Manni Group, with over 75 years of experience in the steel construction industry and a strong commitment to energy efficiency and circular economy, is proud to announce the fifth edition of the prestigious 'Manni Group Design Award'. This year, the theme of the contest, entitled 'Iron Island', focuses on the innovative reconversion of offshore oil platforms, transforming symbols of the industrial past into vectors of sustainability and innovation.

The challenge

132 extraction platforms are present, to date, off the Italian coast. Iron Island focuses on oil platforms located in the northern Adriatic Sea, which represent exceptional opportunities for creative and integrated reuse. The aim is to transform these structures, once a symbol of environmental exploitation, into new architecture that respects and enhances the surrounding marine context. Ecosystem research and monitoring center, aquaculture facilities, observatories, the possibilities are endless.

The technologies

And it is in challenging environments such as maritime that offsite solutions offer great advantages, both in terms of assembly speed and weather resistance. The heart of the conversion of these giants of the sea will in fact be the Group's solutions:

- Manni Sipre Heavy Steelwork Structures

- Light Steel Frame structures by Manni Green Tech

- ADDMIRA enclosure by Isopan for redevelopment and new volumes

- DELIFTA system by Manni Green Tech for facades

- ADDMIRA2D Exterior Wall by Manni Green Tech for multi-storey modules

- FORTELIA performances by Isopan for flat roofs with Deck application

- The fire safety of ROCKWOOL mineral wool insulation core

The international jury

Leading international architectural firms will have the task of selecting the winners of the Iron Island contest. They include: Melodie Leung of Zaha Hadid Architects, a firm known for its fluid and dynamic architecture, as demonstrated in the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre in Baku; Giulio Rigoni of BIG - Bjarke Ingels Group, which boasts bold projects such as VIA 57 West in New York; and Carlo Ratti founder of the eponymous firm which has created projects such as Europac and Playscraper.

The contest partners

The contest boasts the support of high-profile partners: starting with the CNR-IRBIM, Institute for Biological Resources and Marine Biotechnologies of the National Research Council, which is committed to developing research activities to study marine ecosystems and their evolution, particularly in relation to the impact of man; ROCKWOOL Core Solutions, with the participation of Bernard Plancade, Managing Director, as a juror, will focus on evaluating the use of Isopan solutions with a mineral wool core, awarding the Gold Mention "Fire Safety". BASF, leading international chemical company, will be a Sponsor of the initiative.

Manni Group: Steel and Efficiency

Manni Group offers systems, solutions and expertise for the world of offsite steel construction, promoting new scenarios to overcome energy waste and polluting emissions from the existing building stock.

A commitment that has translated into the processing of materials such as steel, which is 100% recyclable, and the creation of solutions that contribute to the achievement of the criteria for obtaining LEED and BREEAM certifications and compliance with national CAM. The Group also uses tools aimed at transparency, such as EPDs and the DECLARE label issued by ILFI - International Living Future Institute.

Once again, the competition promoted by Manni Group focuses on the benefits that efficient and integrated development projects can bring to the territory. Today more than ever, in fact, writing the future means committing to a more equitable and sustainable world, capable of conserving resources and developing opportunities for new generations. This year, the Manni Group Design Award crosses land boundaries to redefine the future of marine architecture, transforming platforms into meeting places between man and nature, and creating new opportunities for the blue economy.

Practical information

Cash prize of the Manni Group Design Award | €15,000

Participation: Individuals or teams of architects of the team must include at least one member is under 35.

Early bird deadline | 25/02/2024

Submission deadline | 24/04/2024

More info | youngarchitectscompetitions.com

For any information write to yac@yac_ltd.com