Geneva wins annual Wakker heritage prize

The annual Wakker prize for the protection of Swiss heritage has been won by the city of Geneva. The prize has for the first come back to the home city of its founder.

The annual Wakker prize for the protection of Swiss heritage has been won by the city of Geneva. The prize has for the first come back to the home city of its founder.
The prize worth SFr20,000 ($13,000) was given to Geneva for its work in renovating public areas along the Rhone river. The theme of this year’s prize had been “Building on Water”.

In 1993, the municipal contemporary art foundation commissioned a study to improve the banks of the Rhone, which was lined with 19th century industrial buildings. The following year a Geneva architect, Julien Descombes, was commissioned to improve the environment with the help of artists.

Six projects are currently underway. The projects have transformed the sites into a living space, said the committee which gave the prize to Geneva.

The prize, based on the legacy of Henri-Louis Wakker, has been awared annually since 1972. But it is the first time that Wakker’s home town has won it.

The prize is to be awared in June.

From staff and wire reports