Prize Award Ceremony with Winners from across Europe

The first prizes in the contractworld.award 2008 have gone to entrants from France, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. This coveted international architecture award was presented to the winners at a formal prize-giving ceremony in Hannover on 12 January 2008.

Numerous top architectural and interior design offices had submitted their projects in the hope of winning Europe's most important architecture prize for innovative work in interior design. A total of 366 projects were entered in the competition, including 174 from outside Germany.

The jury chairman, Professor Dietmar Eberle from Lochau in Austria, commented: "What I value most about the contractworld.award is the sheer breadth and diversity of high-quality international projects. In particular the award is a great opportunity for younger colleagues to get their work seen by a much broader public. At the contractworld.congress I have a chance to see old friends, as well as getting to know new colleagues I've always wanted to meet - and all this in stimulating surroundings, where I can quickly catch up on what's happening in the world of architecture today. And the contractworld.exhibition gives me instant access to interesting information about new materials and innovative products for the interior designer."

Two special awards were presented for the first time this year. These are intended exclusively for "new generation" entrants (architects/interior designers under the age of 40). Young contenders from Switzerland and Germany received awards in this category for their innovative, avant-garde projects.

Now in its eighth year, the contractworld.award 2008 is Europe's most lucrative award for innovative interior design concepts, inolving a total of 50,000 euros in prize money. Fourteen prizes were awarded in all, including two special awards.

There is also a new film available: Members of the jury present all 14 projects of the prize winners 2008.