On December 8th 2009, the Swiss magazine "Hochparterre" and the national TV have honored nine projects in the fields of design, architecture and landscape in a glamorous award ceremony at the Museum of Design in Zurich.
The prestigious award itself is worth a second look: Designed by Zurich's sculptor Severin Müller they are shaped as rabbits.

Köbi Gantenbein, editor-in-chief for Hochparterre: «As every year, our specialists have found the best projects based on nomination from the juries." Consisting of renowned artists themselves, the juries have met for each category independently and have thoroughly discussed the numerous projects.

Category Architecture

Golden Rabbit
In the category architecture, the school building Leutschenbach in Zurich was awarded with the Golden Rabbit for its open and generous design. Jokingly called layer cake by the students, it is built almost completely from glass. "This building by architect Christian Kerez and civil engineer Joseph Schwartz is truly one of the most extraordinary structures we have seen in years", says the jury.

(Photo: Dario Pfammatter)

Silver Rabbit
The Silver Rabbit for architecture went to the architects Kaschka Knapkiewicz and Axel Fickert for their remodeling of the residential area Stadtrain in Winterthur. In order to gain more living space, the architects enlarged the homes with extensions in the front yards. Even though the gardens became smaller, the inhabitants gain a quality invaluable in today's suburbs: privacy. The extensions serve as a protection from the neighboring buildings.

(Photo: Heinz Unger)

Bronze Rabbit
The owners of the Villa Chardonne (a pilot and a flight attendant) have always loved flying and longed to incorporate that passion into their home. The young designer from the Geneva design agency "Made in" have created a building that seems to fly over the lake of Geneva. Large windows allow a breathtaking sight over the lake and the alps. The jury was stunned with this courageous design and awarded it with the Bronze Rabbit for architecture.

(Photo: made in Sàrl, Genève)

Category Design

Golden Rabbit
The Golden Rabbit for design was awarded to a bicycle named Papalagi by Butch Gaudy. It is designed with the cyclist in mind, its frame strong and sturdy, yet very light. Made to be used, it is a bicycle for life. "We are honoring not only this particular design, but also Butch Gaudy's passion and know-how in this field", says the jury.

(Photo: Reto Andreoli)

Silver Rabbit
The watch r5.5 from Rado was honored with the Silver Rabbit for design. Designed Jasper Morrison, the watch distinguishes itself through its discrete design and simple elegance as it is the credo of the British designer, as well as Rado's. "This is a watch without pomp and circumstance – as always, Jasper Morrison has kept faithful to his 'supernormal' designs", comments the jury. After already having re-interpreted the Ceramica watch and having created an award-winning watch-packaging, the r5.5 is the third step of the collaboration between Jasper Morrison and Rado.

(Photo: Rado)

Bronze Rabbit
Sometimes something as simple as a carpet can make the whole difference. Designer Frédéric Dedelley has taken up the structure of the ceiling in the Wasserkirche in Zurich and mirrored it in his carpet design with fine white lines. This church is no longer just a place of worship, but also a peaceful haven in the middle of the busy city. The seating is no longer fixed and can be used for events or readings. Designer Dedelley says: "I wanted the church to look generous and empty." Ready to be filled with meaning. The quiet design was awarded with the Bronze Rabbit for design.

(Photo: Dominique K. Wehrli)

Category Landscape

Golden Rabbit
The Golden Rabbit for landscape was awarded to the Liebefeld-Park in Köniz near Berne. Its simplicity is striking and leaves its visitors with a lot of possibilities. It is a park created for those who use it: "If any elements were missing, they could easily be integrated in this simple design at a later time", says the jury.

(Photo: Bruno Augsburger)

Silver Rabbit
Once a silk mill, the Sidi-Areal in Winterthur is now a residential area - but it has kept its industrial origins. The landscape architects from Kuhn Truninger have included many metaphors in their design, such as the floor pattern in the courtyard reminding one of the industrial regularity in which the looms had been standing. This successful re-design was awarded with the Silver Rabbit for landscape.

(Photo: Kuhn Truninger)

Bronze Rabbit
The renovation of the old Averserstrasse in the Grisons was honored with the Bronze Rabbit. The street used to be the main road through the valley but was replaced with an urban road, forgotten and left to the elements. Now it has been restored to allow visitors to walk through the unique landscape of the valley on a unique path. The jury was impressed with the use of materials from the region and traditional constructions techniques.

(Photo: Verein Alte Averserstrasse)

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