ROTTERDAM, 30 May 2023 - Renowned for its innovative architectural developments, Rotterdam adds another accolade to its record, with a local project, SAWA, having received the Popular Choice recognition in the 2023 Architizer A+ Sustainability Award.
Honouring sustainable designs
The A+ Sustainability Awards, a branch of the prestigious Architizer A+ Awards, aim to celebrate and encourage the most sustainable architectural projects globally. This year, SAWA, a residential project still under construction, was selected amongst five finalists in the "Unbuilt Sustainable Residential Project" category, after assessment by an esteemed jury of international sustainability experts. Votes cast by Architizer readers from May 1 to May 12 determined the popular choice winner.
SAWA: Pioneering sustainable residential architecture
SAWA is being recognised as a ground-breaking design, even before its construction is complete. The aim behind SAWA (meaning 'together' in Surinamese) is to create a zero-carbon building contributing to climate change solutions and promoting a healthier future.
The project introduces the concept of a "shared value" to the neighbourhood and city, fostering elements like carbon storage through wood construction, enhancing biodiversity, shared spaces including a vegetable garden on the deck, and the creation of affordable, circular residences where individuals care for each other and nature. The scheme comprises 109 dwellings, each with spacious green terraces averaging 40 m². Shared amenities such as mobility options, tools, and a public deck vegetable garden aim to cultivate a vibrant, caring community.
The construction's innovative factor lies in its certified Nice building system, positioning SAWA as the first demonstrable example of a 50-meter-high residential building in Europe entirely constructed from wood in a circular manner.
SAWA Wins 2023 Architizer Sustainability Award
Understanding the A+ Sustainability Awards
The Architizer A+ Awards, known as the most significant award scheme lauding the finest architecture globally, has introduced the A+ Sustainability Awards this year. Recognising that the design and construction industry is responsible for almost 40% of the world's carbon emissions, the A+ Sustainability Awards are intended to acknowledge architecture and design firms proactively working towards a more sustainable built environment.
Directions to SAWA
SAWA is located in the heart of Rotterdam's Lloydkwartier, a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood on the Maas river's right bank. The area is well-served by public transportation, with numerous tram and bus routes, and a short distance from the city's central train station. Rich in history and character, Lloydkwartier offers a unique blend of renovated heritage buildings and modern architecture.
