‘Ecobarrier’ Wins Schiphol International Design Contest

Today Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has announced the winner of the ‘Create a Barrier of Silence’ design competition. The winning design for an innovative noise-reduction facility at Runway 18R-36L is the ‘Ecobarrier’ submitted by Toine van Goethem. Of all entries, the Ecobarrier achieved the highest scores in terms of sustainability, innovation and noise reduction. Toine van Goethem submitted his design in the category of universities and private individuals.

The winning entry in the design agencies category is the ‘Dobber’ by Brandes en Meurs, and in the business category ‘Elevation’, a design by Arup, Dura Vermeer and ONL, carried off first prize. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol received a total of 97 entries from 17 countries around the world, including China, Japan, New Zealand, the United States and several European countries.

Competition
In April 2008, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol launched an international design competition for a new noise-reduction facility at Runway 18L-36R (the Polder runway). Schiphol invited educational institutions, private individuals, design agencies and businesses to present an innovative solution for the complex problem of ground noise in Hoofddorp-Noord, produced by aircraft taking off from the Polder runway. The winning project has earned its designer a cash prize of € 750,000 (€ 250,000 as category winner and € 500,000 for the overall winning design). The two other category winners received € 250,000 each.

Ecobarrier
A clear majority of the jury selected the Ecobarrier as the best design. “The attractions of the Ecobarrier include its simplicity and its innovative and dynamic character,” said jury chairman and President of Schiphol Group Jos Nijhuis. “On top of that, the Ecobarrier contains several sustainability features, including algae cultivation and bio-fermentation, and fits well into the landscape.”

Building preparation work can begin once the zoning scheme has been approved and Air Traffic Control the Netherlands has performed the statutory design tests.

Jury
The designs were assessed by a jury that included the Schiphol Group Board of Management, Ms. H.M. Blank, director of BVR adviseurs, Mr. K. Christiaanse, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol supervisor, Mr. W.M. Crouwel, architect, Mr. A.J.A. Uiterhoeve of the municipality of Haarlemmermeer, Mr. M.C.M. Backx, former chairman of the residents’ association Hoofddorp Noord and Mr. P. Riemens, director LVNL.

Images: Schiphol Design Contest