Solutia announces winners of World of Color Awards

St. Louis-based Solutia Inc. announced the winners of the first annual Solutia World of Color Awards: Inspired by Vanceva. The international competition pays tribute to architects, interior designers, furniture designers and other industry professionals who have demonstrated innovative and liberal use of Solutia's Vanceva color interlayers for laminated glass in their work between Jan. 1, 2006 and Dec. 31, 2009. Photographs of the winning projects are being showcased this week at the company's stand at glasstec, the world's largest glass event held in Düsseldorf, Germany.

An international jury of five celebrated industry professionals reviewed a worldwide portfolio of architectural project submissions. Entries were judged on the creative use of glass with laminated color interlayers, aesthetics, and degree of attention paid to the overall benefits and technology of laminated glass. The judges included: Shashi Caan, founder of the Shashi Caan Collective in New York Cityand the United Kingdom; Fermín Vázquez, founder of b720 Arquitectos in Barcelona and Madrid, Spain; Andrew Moor, principal of Andrew Moor Associates in London and author of The Colour of Architecture; Jeeyong An, principal of GinsengChicken Architecture, a New York office for progressive architecture; and Denise Turner, international colorist and founder of Color Turners in California.

WINNERS:Exterior Division WinnerArchitect Pitupong Chaowakul, of Thisdesign Co., Ltd. Thailand, won the Exterior Division award for "Harbor Mall," a new shopping center in the coastal city of Laem Chabang, Thailand, a popular tourist destination. The blue-green vertical color palate of the Harbor Mall fa?ade was inspired by the movement and feel of the waves in the nearby Gulf of Thailand. From inside the building, shoppers experience the changing colors of waves as they gaze through the gradient color system into the sunlight. From the exterior, the building's marine colors beckon tourists who have come to enjoy the sea. The design awards jurors gave Harbor Mall glowing remarks, calling it "site specific work that thoughtfully integrates color and glass." Another juror celebrated the work as an "exceptional project with bold glass, which adds not only to the interior and exterior of the building, but to the built environment." Architects: This Design Company LLC. Glazing Contractor: Thai Techno Glass Company

Interior Design Division WinnerThe first place award for the Interior Division was awarded to designer Patricia Urquiola for "The Spa at Mandarin Oriental" in Barcelona, Spain. The jury called the space an "elegant, architectural interior." Subtle use of colored laminated glass emits a soft emerald glow around the spa pool and the simple lines achieve a serene and relaxed environment. Urquiol notes how the finalized design is perfectly integrated in the surroundings, interacting with patrons to engage them in a 'true oasis' of tranquility." Another juror called the work "restrained, tasteful, yet adventurous." Architect: Patricia Urquiola. Glass Laminator: Control Glass (Union Vidriera).