Prize(s) Honorable Mentions
Company Loop Associates
Lead Designers Peter van Toorn Brix, Jan Nielsen
Other Designer's names Jesper Sandhold, Mike Ingvorsen, Sunny Yen
Client Zurich Airport
Photo Credits Ralph Bensberg, Christian Beutler
Other Credits Riken Yamamoto, Reflexion, Thomas Sevcik
Completion Date 2020
Project Location Zurich Airport
Entry DescriptionZurich Airport's "The Circle" complex is a massive 180,000 m2 building project that houses restaurants, hotels, offices, conference halls, and more, designed by architect Riken Yamamoto. One of the most distinctive features of The Circle is the identity-building structure that connects the complex in a symbolic path, inspired by Swiss landscapes. This structure serves not only as a symbolic pathway but also as the primary lighting for the entire complex, crafted from long-lasting non-corroding materials such as brass-colored aluminum.
The lighting design at The Circle is an important part of the overall aesthetic, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere through a simplistic approach that utilizes warmth, clarity, and unity between all elements. The LED lighting is energy-efficient, helping to reduce the building's carbon footprint, and is designed to last for a long time.
The identity creating lighting structure is connected to the general way finding that influence the building itself, creating a visually stunning and cohesive environment. The Circle is not just a building; it's a new city with a vision expressed through architectural magnificence and cultural diversity within the structure. The Circle opened its doors to the public in 2020, and it has already become one of the most popular destinations for business, culture, and lifestyle in Zurich.
Sustainability ApproachThe Circle's lighting system integrates lighting, sculptural identity elements, and wayfinding to significantly reduce the number of materials and separate systems required. This reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions. The use of aluminium and LED lights also contributes to sustainability by being highly recyclable, lightweight, and long-lasting. The long lifespan of LED lighting reduces waste and environmental impact. The mall's aesthetic appeal is enhanced while its environmental footprint is reduced through the integrated design of the lighting system. The Circle has a compact footprint of 30,000 m² and meets heating and cooling needs with energy stored in underground thermal storage units. Energy and water consumption are minimized through energy recovery, and the photovoltaic installation on the roof harnesses natural energy. The Circle is LEED® PLATINUM certified, the high
