Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter won the prestigious Swedish Timber prize, Träpriset, at a large ceremony in Stockholm last night. The prize went to the standout building, Raa Day Care Center, located on a preserved salt meadow in Helsingborg.

Träpriset is one of Sweden's most famous architecture prizes and the competition to win it is fierce.

"One should be extremely proud of winning Träpriset, because it is a fierce competition with high standards and it is only awarded every four years", says Anders Svensson, chairman of the jury for Träpriset 2016.

The competing buildings must bring something extraordinary to the table to take home the prize. The winning project must, on several levels, be architecture of the highest caliber. In addition to using timber as the primary material, the winning project must both reflect the times we live in and contribute to the development of the evolving architectual landscape.

Out of 139 projects the jury unanimously appointed the Swedish kindergarten as the winner of the much-coveted prize.The jury praised the project for its high ambitions and great sense of material and detailing. Moreover, the jury lauded the project’s unique way of capturing and interpreting the surrounding environment.

The jury also honored Råå förskola for being a municipal building for children of exceptionally high quality. Such buildings are rarely devoted the care and attention given to Råå Day Care Center, says the jury.

The jury consisted of architect Anders Svensson, architect Karolina Keyzer, architect Carmen Izquierdo, architect Rahel Belatchew Lerdell and civil Tomas Alsmarker.

Prior to the selection the jury thoroughly examined the projects having toured Sweden for two weeks prior to the decision.

Dorte Mandrup-Poulsen about the prize

"We are very proud to win Träpriset 2016 and to be valued for our projects in Sweden. It is important to us that the users and the neighbors are happy with Råå förskola. We have spent a great deal of time analyzing and studying the history and potential of the site and have carefully examined what materials are best suited for such a sensitive place. Wood has many qualities. It is a living material that brings forth life and warmth, and it is also a CO2-neutral material”, says Dorte Mandrup-Poulsen, Creative Director and founder of Dorte Mandrup Arkitekter.

For more info on the jury’s decision:  Träpriset2016