The Awards are organized every two years by the European Convention for Constructional Steelwork (ECCS) to encourage the creative and outstanding use of steel in architecture. They are dedicated to project owners, architects, engineers, general contractors and steelwork contractors.
Kiruna City Hall, known as Kristallen (The Crystal), is a landmark for the extraordinary town of Kiruna in Northern Sweden, 95 miles north of the Arctic Circle.
The town depends on mining and iron ore processing for its existence and is located directly above the largest iron ore mine on the planet. However, after a century of mining, deep rifts and sinkholes in the ground now threaten to swallow the town. The solution of the mining firm, Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara AB (LKAB), is to move the entire town of Kiruna three kilometres to the east.
Designed by Henning Larsen Architects, Kristallen was the first building to be erected in the new town centre. Serving as a focal point for the community as it re-establishes in its new surroundings, the design of the building is inspired by the angular geometry of iron minerals that are fundamental to the town’s identity. As a dynamic new hub for Kiruna’s political, social and cultural activities, the circular building contains exhibition rooms, workshops, a city council hall, meeting rooms, public spaces and municipal offices.
