One hundred and twenty entries, six jury members and three hectic days criss-crossing through the Netherlands - these were the ingredients for the BNA Best Building of the Year 2015. The tenth edition of the award, which is awarded by the BNA to the architect and client of the best building, was tight; with the jury engaging in heated discussions before unanimously choosing a winner.
The Best Building of the Year is more than just beautiful, functional and well built, to use the words of Vitruvius; by using the adjective "best", the BNA wants to show that the work of the architect delivers added value to the client and to society.
ROTTERDAM CENTRAL
Architect: Team CS (a partnership between Benthem Crouwel, MVSA Meyer en van Schooten Architecten en West 8)
Client: ProRail and Rotterdam City Council
"It is a Railway Cathedral, but also a normal every day train station. It is a building with international allure, but at the same time very Rotterdam. The sculpted stainless steel facade that boldly points into the city is powerful and robust, the square is vast. At the same time, the station hall has a human element, the timber interior is inviting; it is a place where you feel at ease. Rotterdam Central has it all. The jury is deeply impressed with the manner in which Team CS solved the large number of spatial issues presented to them."