Intermodal Terminal in Strasbourg

The aerial photograph shows an asphalt surface covered with white lines, diagonally traversed by a gray triangular piece. Like a geological fold, the concrete canopy of the Strasbourg terminal rises over the ground sustained by metallic pillars, extending to the floor of the parking area. Zaha Hadid approached this project with markedly graphic gestures and created a new urban landscape on the outskirts of the French city. And precisely this capacity to alter the surroundings was appraised by the jury of the European Mies van der Rohe Award, presided by David Chipperfield in its 2003 edition. The terminal by the Iraqi architect carried the day over four other finalists: a housing project in Chassé Park, in Breda, by Xaveer de Geyter; the renovation of the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, by Lacaton & Vassal; the residential complex Hageneiland in The Hague, by MVRDV; and the Ostfildern Town Hall, by Jürgen Mayer. The latter earned the emerging architect special mention and 10,000 euros. The award ceremony took place in Barcelona, in the pavilion of the German master that lends his name to the award.