Research Centre at Ispra - Architecture Studio winner



Strategic Development Plan of the European Commission's joint research centre at Ispra: Architecture Studio winner

The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JCR) in Ispra launched an open international competition via a two stage procedure for the strategic development plan of its site. Conforming to the UNESCO-UIA regulations for international competitions, it was approved by the International Union of Architects. Located in the province of Varese in northern Italy, Ispra is one of the European Commission's most important research sites. Spread over 166 hectares, the Centre hosts three institutes and their services: the Institute for Environment and Sustainability, the Institute for Health and Consumer Protection and the Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen.
	Objectives and Programme
	The Centre is preparing a development strategy for the site with a view to the evolution of its activities aimed at increasing its scientific efficiency, getting greater benefit from its multi-disciplinary character, reducing running costs, improving its image and producing a better working environment for its staff. The competition fits into this framework and the programme concerned the design of the development plan of a new scientific zone of 12 hectares and the creation of four new facilities for biotechnology research, environmental research, security research as well as a multi-purpose meeting facility.
	Winner: Architecture Studio
	The six projects selected for the second stage were presented to the jury, which met on 3 and 4 July,2006. The European Commission ratified the jury's choices and designated the winners: First prize winner: Architecture studio, France. 2^nd place: SAMYN & Partners, Belgium 3^rd place: A.M. Architetti, Italy 4^th place: IDOM Ingenieria y ConsultoriaS.A., Spain 5^th place: ANSHEN DYER, United Kingdom 6^th place: ISHIMOTO Europe SRL, Japan-Italy


	Prize winning project
		An extract from the jury report reads; "The project proposes an ideal functional diagram by its repetition of the blocks and by its accessibility. It thus manages to combine the "scientific campus" idea with a strong unified block concept. The jury particularly appreciated the urban development scheme with a central axis connecting the existing buildings to the new ones in a respectful and functional way. This circulation axis also serves as a natural and pleasant outdoor gathering space.".
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	Jury
	Under the presidency of Marc Becquet, representing the General Director of the Joint Research Centre, the jury was composed of: • Five representatives of the JRC of the European Commission: Dimitrios Kotzias, Manfred Grasserbauer, Jean-Marie Cadiou and architects Roberto Babich, from the JRC- Ispra , and Gianni Marmifero, from the European Commission in Brussels; • Four architects: Rafael de la Hoz (Spain), Jean-Pierre Dürig, (Switzerland), Luciano Lazzari (Italy), Peter Bilek (Czech Republic), the latter representing the UIA; • Two deputy members: Thierry Bogaert (France) and Stig Andersson (Denmark), architects.
	Mission of the joint research centre
	"The mission of the JRC is to provide customer-driven scientific and technical supportfor the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. As a service of the European Commission, the JRC functions as a reference centre of science and technology for the Union. Close to the policy-making process, it serves the common interest of the Member States, while being independent of special interests, whether private or national."