RIAS Awards 2012 Shortlist, Buildings, Architects News, Designs, Judges

RIAS Awards 2012 Buildings

The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland – Architecture Prize

21 Jun 2012

RIAS Awards 2012 Winners

RIAS Announces 18 Winners in Inaugural Awards

The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) has announced 18 winners, representing the very best of current Scottish architecture, at the inaugural RIAS Awards at an Awards Dinner held at the Glasgow Hilton last night.

The judging panel, led by RIAS President Sholto Humphries, included Dr Anne Lorne Gillies, Scottish singer, songwriter, broadcaster, author and academic, Robert Dye of Robert Dye Associates, London and Peter Wilson, Director of the Wood Studio at Edinburgh Napier University.

Sholto Humphries, President of the RIAS, commented:
“We had 71 submissions from throughout Scotland, ranging in scale from a few thousand pounds to over £60m. We cut this down to a brilliant shortlist of 23 projects. The fact that 18 of these have won awards testifies to the extraordinarily high standard and confirms that this new award is now the single most important recognition of architectural achievement in Scotland.

The RIAS also established a new award sponsored by Wood for Good and Forestry Commission Scotland. This was given to the RIAS Award winning project which best demonstrated the use of timber.

RIAS Awards : current page

The RIAS Award 2012 winners are (listed alphabetically with short citations):

Bogbain Mill, Lochussie, by Maryburgh (contract value not for publication)
Rural Design

image © Alan Dickson
Bogbain Mill
“This ingenious conversion of a rural mill creates a home within a landscaped setting which draws upon its industrial history to create a delightful contemporary living space. Existing walls create a series of sheltered garden courtyards. The plan is typically one room deep, with simple linear circulation. The existing fabric has been respected, incorporated, amended and extended without resorting to pastiche.”

Cape Cove, Shore Road, Helensburgh (£450k)
Cameron Webster Architects

image © Darple Photography
“At the water’s edge, this home commands superb views across Loch Long. It rises from its natural rock foundations as an uncompromising and alluring work of modernity. The original plan has been completely reconfigured to create a large and sunny entrance hall. Kitchen and dining were moved upstairs and extended with full height frameless glazing. Simple materials and colours were used throughout.”

Corinthian Club, Glasgow (£4.5million)
G1 Group

photograph © Renzo Mazzolini Photography
Corinthian Club Glasgow
“The major second phase of work to this superb historic building, a decade on from the original conservation project, has created bars, restaurants, a casino, a club and lettable conference suites of real opulence. New access stairs connect the ornate ‘Tellers Hall’ and the vaulted brick basement. Simple, clean, contemporary materials serve as a foil to the building’s historic fabric.”

Dundee House, (£29.85million)
Reiach and Hall Architects

image © Dave Morris
Dundee Council Offices Building
“Set within a previously run down part of the city centre, this important development transforms an historic printing works into a large administration and public services building. Behind the historic façade are seven storeys of modern office space. The City Council’s new headquarters symbolises Dundee’s aspirations to celebrate its industrial heritage and create appropriate new architecture which signals its vision.”

Fore Street, Glasgow (£1.5million)
Hypostyle Architects

photo : Tom Manley Photography
Fore Street Housing
“This new community sits within the embrace of the historic tenemental landscape. A new build 5-storey block of flats on Fore Street maintains the scale of the street. The backcourt comprises a series of 2-storey houses and cottage flats. Bright, welcoming and ingeniously woven into the existing fabric of the city, these new homes are a useful model for the future.”

Forth Valley College of Further and Higher Education, Alloa Campus (£12.3million)
Reiach and Hall Architects

photograph © Dave Morris
Forth Valley College
“Within a wooded hilltop landscape close to Alloa town centre this new college is both inviting and stimulating. It is designed to encourage social interaction between learners and staff from different disciplines. The plan responds to pragmatic issues such as flat ground (for workshops and service yard) and safe vehicle access. Embracing views to the Ochils, this is a powerfully expressive new focus for the town.”

Grödians, Lerwick (£4.5million)
Richard Gibson Architects

photograph © Richard Gibson Architects
“This carefully composed housing development, providing homes for over 100 people, combines a variety of differently sized buildings set at varying angles to the street. The use of colour contributes to the delivery of a strongly urban composition, unusual for this type of development. This careful yet engaging new addition to Shetland’s housing stock is understated but highly visually appealing, brightening the landscape and amenity of Lerwick.”

Heathfield Primary School, Ayr (£3.7million)
Holmes Miller

photograph © Andrew Lee
“Combining an established school with a substantial new extension was a particular challenge. The redevelopment respects the scale of the original frontage, removes the clutter to the rear and meshes the existing building with a new dining hall and external courtyard. Simple elements deliver clean, crisp, elegant lines. The contemporary architectural appearance, contrasts with, yet complements, the original building, delivering an excellent environment for nurturing young minds.”

Heriot’s Centre for Sport & Exercise, Edinburgh (contract value not for publication)
LDN Architects LLP

photograph © Paul Zanre
“The appearance of the building belies its innovative use of timber. Set within the existing school campus, this building provides state-of-the-art accommodation. The need for large volumes demanded careful handling of the building’s mass. Studio space on the first floor links directly with the Sports Hall. The timber lining gives the main spaces visual richness and a feeling of welcome throughout.”

House at Borreraig, Skye (£470k)
Dualchas Building Design

image © Huntley Hedworth
“This new home is deceptively simple in form, a calm, contemplative space. The external timber ensures that the building does not intrude upon its natural setting. To keep the building low it consists of three separate elements: living, bedrooms and studio. The same restraint and reliance on natural materials is evident in the uncluttered interiors of Caithness stone and oak.”

Linlithgow Burgh Halls, (£3.2million)
Malcolm Fraser Architects

image © Dave Morris
“This re-use of a key historic building, dating from 1668, brings new life and vitality. The halls have been revamped into community and visitor facilities – multi-use function spaces, tourist information, interpretation, café and education rooms. An airy, light-filled stair allows all elements to overlook and connect to each other with a café which flows out into the garden. Long neglected, the Burgh Halls are once more an asset for Linlithgow.”

Loch Leven Bird Hide, Fife (£34k including foundations)
Icosis Architects

image © Icosis Architects
“This small, crafted structure is part hide, part bridge and part screening. The gaps between the boards reduce wind loading and restrict visual disruption for the birds. Structure and inner faces are stained dark, emphasising the horizontality of the external boards. For a very modest budget, this building cleverly addresses the needs of human visitors. Its raw, elemental form is an appropriate foil to the natural environment.”

Maggie’s Gartnavel, Glasgow (contract value not for publication)
OMA

photo © Charlie Koolhaas
Maggie’s Glasgow Gartnavel
“Maggie’s Centres provide practical and emotional support. They rely on exceptional architecture and innovative spaces to make people feel better. This single-level building, a ring of interlocking rooms, is close to the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre. The spaces feel casual but allow for privacy. Here the approach is about more modest external expression, embracing a courtyard garden to generate a place of gentle contemplation.”

Model ‘D’ House, Insch (£140k exclusive of siteworks)
Gokay Deveci Chartered Architect

image © Stuart Johnstone Photography
“This alternative contemporary design draws upon the architectural language of traditional agricultural buildings. Large windows in the south façade take advantage of solar gain and maximise views. An external rain screen provides shading and privacy. This highly energy efficient home utilises its setting and natural daylight to radically reduce costs. The Model ‘D’ House is a model for affordable housing stock in the countryside.”

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh (£47.4million)
Gareth Hoskins Architects

photo © Andrew Lee Photographer
National Museum of Scotland : Best Building in Scotland Award 2011
“Fully accessible with a welcoming new ground floor entrance, this adaptation is sensitive and intelligent. The National Museum of Scotland, designed by Captain Francis Fowke and opened in 1866, has been adapted, altered and extended throughout its long history. This project has opened up and expanded the gallery spaces, returning the building to its original grandeur. It integrates displays and architecture for a coherent visitor experience.”

Scotsman Steps, Edinburgh (£0.5million)
McGregor Bowes + Haworth Tompkins

image © Gautier Deblonde
“Built between 1899 and 1902, this shortcut within Scotland’s multi-layered capital was long neglected. Works included masonry repairs, new leadwork, painting of grilles, cleaning glazed bricks, new iron gates and reglazing. The steps were resurfaced by artist Martin Creed with contrasting marbles from all over the world. The long climb is enlivened by the new steps and the structure is revealed as rich in delight.”

Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh (£11.5million)
PagePark Architects

image © Andrew Lee
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
“This remarkable Sir Robert Rowand Anderson building had been much messed around with over the decades. The walk to the top was long and much potential gallery space was taken up by support functions. Two new openings have been created either side of the entrance vestibule, vertical circulation greatly enhanced by a large, glass lift and the remodelled entrance allows wheelchair access. This splendid restoration improves upon its original architect’s vision.”

Wester Coates House, Edinburgh (contract value not for publication)
Zone Architects

image © Paul Zanre
“Set in a conservation area of Edinburgh, this new villa, on a tight site, utilises high quality natural materials and a very restrained external form to embrace high specification interiors infused with light. The stone cubic form of the house is split to allow light deep into the stairwell. The predominantly glazed south side of the building opens out to embrace the rear private garden.”

The winner of the Wood For Good/Forestry Commission Scotland Award for the Best Use of Timber was:

Model ‘D’ House, Insch
Gokay Deveci Chartered Architect (Client: Sylvan Stuart Ltd. Timber Engineers and Log Construction)

The Award recognises the innovation and sustainable design of this timber framed, timber clad prototype for developer housing in the countryside. It is a huge credit to both its architects and the inspired developer, Sylvan Stuart Ltd. Andy Leitch of Forestry Commission Scotland commented:

“We are delighted that this Award celebrates a truly innovative and creative use of home-grown timber.”

From the 18 RIAS 2012 winners, five projects have won RIBA Awards for Scotland.

These are:

Bogbain Mill, Lochussie, by Maryburgh
Rural Design (Client: not for publication)

Dundee House (£29.85million)
Reiach and Hall Architects (Client: Dundee City Council)

Maggie’s Gartnavel, Glasgow (contract value not for publication)
OMA (Client: Maggie Keswick Jencks Cancer Caring Centres Trust)

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh (£47.4million)
Gareth Hoskins Architects (Client: National Museums Scotland)

Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh (£11.5million)
PagePark Architects (National Galleries of Scotland)

The shortlist for the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award, supported by the Doolan family and the Scottish Government (to be presented in November 2012), consists of those RIAS 2012 winners not previously shortlisted for the Doolan Award.

11 Mar 2012

RIAS Awards 2012

RIAS Announces Strong Scottish Shortlist for Inaugural RIAS Awards

The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) has announced a 23 strong shortlist for the inaugural RIAS Awards. The judging panel for this year included RIAS President Sholto Humphries, Dr Anne Lorne Gillies, Scottish singer, songwriter, broadcaster, author and academic, Robert Dye of Robert Dye Associates, London and Peter Wilson, Director of the Wood Studio at Napier University.

Sholto Humphries, President of the RIAS, commented:
“We had 71 submissions from throughout Scotland and ranging in scale from a few thousand pounds to over £60m. This number of entries is a tremendous vote of confidence and confirms that this new award is now the single most important recognition of architectural achievement in Scotland.

From the shortlist, the judges will decide which schemes are worthy of an award. While we are considering an extraordinary range of projects of different scale and type, from a modest house extension to a multi-million pound museum refurbishment, we will be rewarding those projects which we feel best address the primary role of architecture, that is improving people’s lives. We are not restricted in the number of awards we make and looking at the quality of this list, the task ahead of us will be a tough one.”

The RIAS has also established a new award sponsored by Wood for Good and Forestry Commission Scotland. This will be given to the RIAS Award winning project which best demonstrates the use of timber.

The shortlist for Scotland comprises the following buildings (listed alphabetically with comments from the judges):

Bogbain Mill, Lochussie, by Maryburgh (contract value not for publication)
Rural Design

image © Alan Dickson
“This ingenious conversion of a rural mill creates a home within a superbly landscaped setting which beautifully blends its industrial history to create a delightful contemporary living space.”

Cape Cove, Shore Road, Helensburgh (£450k)
Cameron Webster Architects

image © Darple Photography
“Set right at the water’s edge, this home is designed to command superb seaward views. It rises from its natural rock foundations as an extraordinarily uncompromising and alluring work of modernity.”

Corinthian Club, Glasgow (£4.5million)
G1 Group

photograph © Renzo Mazzolini Photography
Corinthian Club Glasgow
“The conversion of this magnificent historic bank has created a collection of bars, restaurants, a casino, a club and lettable conference suites of unrivalled opulence. It is a real attraction for visitors and a delightful asset for Glaswegians.”

Dundee House, (£29.85million)
Reiach and Hall Architects

image © Dave Morris
Dundee Council Offices Building
“The new headquarters for Dundee Council will be an important catalyst in the regeneration of this part of the city centre. It ingeniously combines an Edwardian publishing warehouse with bold new build extensions above and to the rear of the historic block.”

Flanders Moss Viewing Tower, Carse of Stirling (£110k)
Robin Baker Architects

photograph © Robin Baker
“This is a deceptively simple structure. Ingeniously employing timber engineering technology it is appropriate to its setting and recognises the importance of providing safe viewing accommodation to minimise stress upon the landscape which it will help to conserve.”

Fore Street, Glasgow (£1.5million)
Hypostyle Architects

photo : Tom Manley Photography
Fore Street Housing
“This is a new community built within the embrace of the historic tenemental landscape. These new homes are bright, welcoming and ingeniously woven into the existing fabric of the city, providing a useful model for the future.”

Forth Valley College of Further and Higher Education, Alloa Campus (£12.3million)
Reiach and Hall Architects

photograph © Dave Morris
Forth Valley College
“The recent growth in buildings for all stages of education has generated some of Scotland’s most powerfully expressive new structures. Set within a mature landscape this new college is both inviting and stimulating.”

Garden Room and Studio for an Oenologist & Artist, Edinburgh (contract value not for publication)
David Blaikie Architects

photograph © Sarah Potter
“A departure from the traditional garden room, this extension is ingeniously organised to maximise daylighting within its enclosed setting. Elegantly detailed, it creates an attractive and engaging addition to the home, well suited to the cultural interests of its owners.”

Grödians, Lerwick (£4.5million)
Richard Gibson Architects

photograph © Richard Gibson Architects
“A careful yet engaging new addition to the Lerwick landscape, understated in form but highly appealing – these new homes brighten the landscape. The Scandinavian inspired simple timber elevations are somehow entirely suited to this special setting at this seaward edge of Scotland.”

Heathfield Primary School, Ayr (£3.7million)
Holmes Miller

photograph © Andrew Lee
“Combining an established Victorian school with a very new substantial extension was a particular challenge which has been well met. This is an excellent environment for nurturing and stimulating young minds.”

Heriot’s Centre for Sport & Exercise, Edinburgh (contract value not for publication)
LDN Architects LLP

photograph © Paul Zanre
“The external appearance of the building belies its innovative use of timber technology. Set within the campus of an existing historic school, this building provides state-of-the-art, contemporary accommodation.”

Hillcrest Housing Association HQ, Dundee (£4.95million)
Nicoll Russell Studios

image © Andrew Lee
“An impressive achievement for the budget, this new building is human in scale and an inspiring workplace. True to the ethos of its housing association client, the construction programme helped develop the skills of young apprentices.”

Hillhead Primary School, Glasgow (£13.8million)
jm architects

photo : Andrew Lee
Hillhead Primary School Glasgow
“Combining a school with publicly accessible facilities, this building is very contemporary and very welcoming. The fronting block contains halls and the library, while the classrooms are set behind, commanding superb views of the adjacent park.”

House at Borreraig, Skye (£470k)
Dualchas Building Design

image © Huntley Hedworth
“This new home is elegant and deceptively simple in form. The external timber skin ensures that the building does not intrude upon its natural setting. The same restraint and reliance on natural materials is evident in the uncluttered interiors.”

Linlithgow Burgh Halls, (£3.2million)
Malcolm Fraser Architects

image © Dave Morris
“Crucially important to the town, this re-use of a key historic building brings new life and vitality – an inspiring dialogue with the building’s history. Long neglected, the Burgh Halls are now an asset.”

Loch Leven Bird Hide, Fife (£34k including foundations)
Icosis Architects

image © Icosis Architects
“For a very modest budget, this building cleverly addresses the needs of human visitors yet its form is raw and elemental, seeming to grow as an appropriate foil to the natural environment in which it sits.”

Maggie’s Gartnavel, Glasgow (contract value not for publication)
OMA

photo © Charlie Koolhaas
Maggie’s Glasgow Gartnavel
“The support provided by the Maggie’s centres is invaluable. Several of these buildings, by “signature” architects, are visible over long distances. Here the approach has been about more modest external expression, embracing a courtyard garden to generate a place of gentle contemplation.”

Marlaw, Glasgow (contract value not for publication)
Gareth Hoskins Architects

image © Andrew Lee Photographer
“This is one of the most substantial and impressive new homes to be built in Scotland for many years. Quite different from the Victorian villas which sit in close proximity, the approach is contemporary, the materials and detailing sublime.”

Model ‘D’ House, Insch (£140k exclusive of siteworks)
Gokay Deveci Chartered Architect

image © Stuart Johnstone Photography
“Although its shape is relatively familiar, the external envelope of this new dwelling is anything but. This highly energy efficient home utilises its setting and natural daylight to improve the building’s performance and reduce costs, contributing to an attractive, comfortable and durable new approach to designing a one-off house.”

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh (£47.4million)
Gareth Hoskins Architects

photo © Andrew Lee Photographer
National Museum of Scotland : Best Building in Scotland Award 2011
“The “big moves” here are deftly delivered. This adaptation is sensitive and intelligent, enhancing both the building and the objects displayed within it. Fully accessible with a welcoming new ground floor entrance, the whole design encourages visitors to see every part of this important collection.”

Scotsman Steps, Edinburgh (£0.5million)
McGregor Bowes + Haworth Tompkins

image © Gautier Deblonde
“This important shortcut within the multi-layered capital city of Scotland was long neglected. The experience for its users, while expedient, was anything but pleasant. Now the long climb is enlivened by the extraordinary variety of stones which form the new steps. The external structure, fully restored, is also revealed as something rich in delight.”

Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh (£11.5million)
PagePark Architects

image © Andrew Lee
“The original gallery, designed by RIAS founder, Sir Robert Rowand Anderson, had been much messed around with over the decades. Its restoration removes the clutter and introduces new access and new lighting, creating something even better than its original architect’s vision.”

Wester Coates House, Edinburgh (contract value not for publication)
Zone Architects

image © Paul Zanre
“Providing new homes on a tight site within a residential area, this new building utilises a simple palette of high quality natural materials and a very restrained external form to embrace interiors built to the highest specification and infused with light.”

An announcement of the jury’s decision will be made at an RIAS Awards Dinner on 20th June.

RIAS Awards 2012 Shortlist information from Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland

RIAS Award for Architecture

Best Building in Scotland

Location: Scotland