The international jury for the Forum AID Awards 2009
The Forum AID Awards are presented annually to the Nordic region’s best architecture, interior design, and design. As one of its kind in Europe, the competition, now in its eighth year, has an exciting line-up. And, to say the least, a prestigious jury.
During the Forum AID Awards 2009, February 3 2009, some of the best-known names in the design and architecture world will select last year’s most prominent Nordic productions in three categories:
A -architecture, I - interior design, D - design
Moreover, a fourth and brand-new category will be presented: Best Student Work. A unique chance for students at Nordic architecture and design colleges to be evaluated – and rewarded – by the design elite. The international jury comprises a representative from each discipline, as well as a Chair with experience of all three categories. In addition, national jury committees contribute three candidates from each Nordic country.
Marcus Fairs, Chair
Award-winning journalist with a past as a furniture designer and a future in the design history books, Marcus Fairs is one of the team behind Icon Magazine, which was founded in 2003 and quickly established as one of the world’s most influential magazines. He is the man behind Dezeen – one of the world’s most widely read online magazines, which he has run since 2007. And he is the man who pops up everywhere: on television and in the newspapers, as a lecturer around the world, and on the lips of everyone in the business. Marcus Fairs does not only have an extensive knowledge of, and a profound interest in, architecture and design. He has also a shelf full of awards to prove it.
Manuelle Gautrand
C42, Citroën’s new showroom in Paris, has been lauded by the media. However, the spectacular car showroom on the Champs-Élysées is just one of the reasons why so many people talk about Manuelle Gautrand. Not part of the old guard but certainly a heavy hitter, Gautrand is one of France’s leading architects, with highly-acclaimed international projects and prestigious awards among her merits. Her present projects include the development of a new hotel in Copenhagen.
Sean Griffiths
Sean Griffiths is one of the co-founders of the British architectural practice FAT, “Fashion Architecture Taste”, that develops architecture and interior design which often question prevalent trends and so-called good taste. FAT has received as much acclaim for its buildings as for its interiors and Sean Griffiths has managed some of the most important projects, including The Blue House in London, which looks as if it was cut out of cardboard.
Dirk Wynants
Dirk Wynants is a Belgian designer, founder and Big Boss of well-known Extremis, which creates highly original furniture designs for outdoor use. Designs such as Gargantua and PicNik have already become classics and the company continues to gather laurels. And there is no lack of commercial talent. Following his training as an interior and furniture designer, Dirk Wynants was in charge of the distribution of several international design brands. Since the inception of Extremis in 1994, he has both led the company and designed award-winning furniture. He has also collaborated with a number of internationally renowned designers.