The project submission tells a powerful story, not just of a building, but of a society in the process of establishing strong foundations for its future development.

Last updated: April 20, 2015 Zurich, Switzerland

The project submission tells a powerful story, not just of a building, but of a society in the process of establishing strong foundations for its future development. The juxtaposition of weapons and tools on the introductory panel sets both the tone and objective of the endeavor, with a persuasive and well-chosen pair of images, making the conceptual framework of the project more than clear: how to transform a discharged army without mission into a motivated workforce at the service of society?

The project offers proof that the vision can indeed be translated into reality. Rather than remaining in the realm of the abstract, the submitted entry outlines a set of concrete measures, ranging from the introduction of an educational program to the deployment of particular construction techniques – all beautifully and clearly outlined. The authors recognize the potential of using an army’s knowhow in logistics for peaceful purposes, while strengthening social bonds. The jury sees significant value in the basic message of the scheme and greatly appreciates its translation into a tangible physical structure – the construction of a library and public facility for building the physical and social fabric of a community.