Young Architect of the Year Recognized for Design, Networking
Estonia's Young Architect for 2012 is Veronika Valk, the Union of Estonian Architects announced on Tuesday.
The award - a 4,500-euro gift certificate good for travel to any one destination, sponsored by entrepreneur Heldur Meerits and Go Travel - was handed out last week at a ceremony featuring President Toomas Hendrik Ilves.
Valk's work includes both traditional projects (an annex to the Suure-Jaani Upper Secondary School, conversion of the Lasva water tower, the Eduard Tubin monument in Tartu, and design of the central square in Rakvere) and creating publicity for architecture (organizing exhibitions, lectures, seminars and workshops, and writing articles).
Valk also co-authored the exhibit of the Estonian pavilion at the international Venice Architecture Biennale.
The jury panel credited Valk for bringing guest lecturers and renowned international architects to Estonia for a 2012 lecture series at the Estonian Academy of Arts.
Jurists included David Basulto, founder and Chief Editor of the ArchDaily architecture portal; Ülo Peil, architect; Villem Tomiste, recipient of the Young Architect Award 2011; and Heldur Meerits and Aavo Kokk, entrepreneurs.
The Young Architect Award competition is organized by the Union of Estonian Architects with the support of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.