Hermann Kaufmann: Spirit of Nature Wood Architecture Award 2010

Austrian architect Hermann Kaufmann adapts in his architecture the well-renowned wood building tradition of his home region of the Vorarlberg mountains. He is simultaneously an innovator and upholder of tradition. The book presents 18 wooden buildings, ranging from farm buildings to industrial buildings, from community centres to the restoration of monasteries and inns, and from private houses to multi-storey apartment blocks. But what all these buildings have in common is a good energy economy, ecological sustainability, healthy structures connected with harmonious forms and fine workmanship. In his interesting accompanying essay, Otto Kapfinger describes the fundamental premises of Kaufmann s architecture, including his extensive work in developing the local wood building tradition to achieve modern, economical and ecological construction, by utilising, for instance, prefabricated building parts.