Comment of the Holcim Awards 2005 Jury for Europe
With a high degree of competence, the project demonstrates an innovative layering of varied cultural and commercial programs that serves to revitalize a historical town square.

Directly confronting the loss of public space, the work convincingly integrates urban, architectural, and landscape design to create a sustainable response to the contemporary challenges facing the region.

The work also manifests an ethically conscious position in that it promotes a reinforced sense of communal identity for a diverse range of social groups, providing them an original perspective on the city and offering a place for dialogue and exchange.

The project presents a credible economic catalyst for the local market that is simultaneously ecologically sensitive to the context.

Skillfully handled is the creation of a microclimate that adaptively reacts to the intense climatic conditions of the region.

The hybrid combination of commerce and tourism presents a convincing and feasible model for cross-financing the required investments to implement such a project.

This project deserves special merit for achieving the highest of architectural standards and creating a work that promises to have beneficial and long-term impact on reactivating collective recognition of the city and its culture.