The Australian Institute of Architects' Jorn Utzon Award for International Architecture was presented to the TKTS Booth and Environs in New York's Times Square by Sydney firm Choi Ropiha, with Perkins Eastman and PKSB from a strong field of projects across the globe.
Announcing the award in Melbourne last night, jury chair Howard Tanner said: "The jury especially liked the vibrant character, logical public meeting place, and practical sales point offered by this competition-winning design solution. The 'red steps' are a new and potent symbol of New York".
The jury noted that the booth project began 10 years ago with an international design competition to re-design the popular and iconic TKTS booth, which had served New York's main theatre district at the centre of Times Square for many years. Describing the project, Choi Ropiha said that while the brief simply requested a new booth, the team's design expanded the booth's function to that of a public gathering point and viewing platform for Times Square.
