SAWA triumphs as a winner at two award ceremonies in Paris

Even well before the construction of SAWA is completed, the accolades for this revolutionary design continue to flow. Following the project's success at events such as the World Architecture Festival, the Architecture Masterprize, MIPIM / Architectural Review Future Project Awards, Iconic Awards for Innovative Architecture, and Green Good Design Awards, the SAWA team collected two prestigious international architecture awards in Paris within two weeks. At Espace Niemeyer, it was celebrated that the renowned jury of the DNA Paris Design Awards selected SAWA as the winner in the 'Green Architecture' category. Two weeks later, SAWA was chosen as the Popular Choice winner of the 2023 Architizer A+ Sustainability Awards in the 'Unbuilt Sustainable Residential Project' category. The A+ Awards were presented last weekend in the presence of Lord Norman Foster at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris.

SAWA plays a crucial role in promoting the decarbonization of the construction sector

SAWA is the first entirely wooden and circular residential building, 50 meters high, in Europe. It was designed with the drive and high ambition to develop a zero-carbon building that contributes to solving the climate crisis and fostering a healthy future. The realization of SAWA represents a significant step towards international sustainability goals and demonstrates that construction can be done differently. SAWA, also known as "the healthiest building" in the Netherlands, adds value to the neighborhood and city in the broadest sense. These "shared values" relate to CO₂storage through timber construction, strengthening biodiversity, and creating a circular building with affordable housing, where a community of residents cares for each other and for nature. The project comprises 109 homes, with spacious green terraces averaging 40 m² per dwelling, 50 of which are mid-segment rental homes. The SAWA concept has resulted in a certified and reproducible building concept, further developed by NICE, based on which Mei architects is currently designing multiple projects.

The DNA Paris Design Awards is an initiative by the Farmani Group and the Parisian artist collective In Between. The Farmani Group organizes the International Design Awards (IDA), Architecture MasterPrize (AMP), European Product Design Awards (EPDA), the annual Lucie Awards for Photography, and many other prestigious global awards. The DNA Paris Design Awards honors the work of international architects and designers who enhance our daily lives through practical, beautiful, and innovative design. The Awards are presented to projects characterized by courage, diversity, and excellence.

The latest collection of A+ Awards winners offers a dynamic tribute to the world's most innovative and impactful contemporary design. To reflect the essential work of architects in combating the climate crisis, the 11th annual Architizer Awards program introduced a new series of Sustainability Awards this year.
The new A+ Sustainability Awards recognize architectural and design firms actively contributing to a more sustainable built environment, focusing on distinguishing projects that push boundaries and set a positive precedent for greener building practices in their specific region and worldwide. A prestigious jury of leading sustainability experts from around the world evaluated all submitted projects and selected five finalists, including SAWA, in the 'Unbuilt Sustainable Residential Project' category.

SAWA Expert Team

NICE Developers SAWA in collaboration with TBI company ERA Contour. Mei architects and planners the architect for the project.

SAWA was developed and designed in close collaboration with the Municipality of Rotterdam and an extensive team of experts, including Pieters Bouwtechniek, DERIX, Pirmin Jung, Ralph Hamerlinck, DGMR, Peutz, DGMR, Atto Harsta, Piet Vollaard, Bureau Stadsnatuur, and Copijn. Focus on Impact, a development investor based in Rotterdam and Eindhoven, owns the rental properties in SAWA.