Best Scottish Building, Doolan Prize, Winner, Architects, Exhibition, Shortlist, UK

Best Building in Scotland : Andrew Doolan Award

RIAS Award for Architecture : Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture



8 Nov 2012

RIAS Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture 2012

Maggie’s Gartnavel in Glasgow Scoops UK’s Richest Architecture Prize

At a ceremony in the Scottish Parliament, Maggie’s Gartnavel in Glasgow by Dutch architects, OMA, has been awarded the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award 2012. From a shortlist of fourteen projects, all winners of RIAS Awards for 2012 (presented in June 2012), the judges selected the Maggie’s Centre as a clear winner. The award was presented by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Ms Fiona Hyslop MSP with Mrs Margaret Doolan Hon FRIAS (the late Andrew Doolan’s mother).

Maggie’s Gartnavel
photo © Charlie Koolhaas

Ms Hyslop, commented;
“Scotland’s international reputation for creativity is reflected in the outstanding quality of our architecture. This excellence is demonstrated by the superb shortlist for the RIAS Andrew Doolan Award in this, our Year of Creative Scotland - all of the nominated projects are exemplary and encourage ever higher standards. The Maggie’s Centre at Gartnavel is a building I know well. It is a tremendous resource for cancer patients and their families, a place of contemplation, support and healing. It is a huge credit to its enlightened client and to the sensitivity and skill of its architect.”

The winner of this year’s RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award receives a gold medal cast by internationally renowned Scottish Goldsmith, James Brent Ward, one side of the medal depicts RIAS founder, Sir Robert Rowand Anderson with the recent, competition-winning, design by architect Robin Watson FRIAS on the verso, depicting a helical stair overlaid with a skewed Saltire (reflecting those on the Scottish Parliament ceiling) and a cheque for £25,000. This makes it the richest architectural prize in the UK and one of the most significant awards in Europe. The award is generously supported by the late Andrew Doolan’s family and by the Scottish Government.

The full judges citation for the winning project reads:
“This is an extraordinary building – a place of calm, simultaneously welcoming and open. Maggie’s Centres provide support for people with cancer, their families and friends. Exceptional architecture and innovative spaces make people feel better. This single-level building, a ring of interlocking rooms, is close to the Beatson Cancer Centre. The spaces feel casual but allow for privacy. The approach is about modest external expression, embracing a courtyard garden to generate a unique place of gentle contemplation and an exemplary caring environment.”

Maggie’s Gartnavel - winner of UK’s Richest Architecture Prize
Maggies Gartnavel
photo © Adrian Welch

The building was selected from a strong shortlist of fourteen projects which represented a comprehensive range of building types. The judges felt that five projects merited a Special Mention. These are:

Corinthian Club, Glasgow
G1 Group

Fore Street, Glasgow
Hypostyle Architects

Heathfield Primary School, Ayr
Holmes Miller

House at Boreraig, Skye
Dualchas Building Design

Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh
Page\Park Architects

The panel of judges was chaired by Professor Andy MacMillan OBE FRIAS with Ian Gilzean FRIAS of the Scottish Government’s Architecture and Place Division, Kerr Robertson FRIAS of Glasgow City Council and Daphne Thissen Hon FRIAS, Cultural Attache, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The panel looked for projects which showed innovation and design excellence, irrespective of size or type. Other key considerations were: detailing, accessibility, environmental issues and technical skill. From the seventy one entries for the 2012 RIAS Awards fourteen were shortlisted for the ‘Doolan’.

Professor Andy MacMillan OBE FRIAS, commented;
“The standard of the shortlisted projects for the Doolan Award is always high. This year we visited fourteen projects throughout Scotland which were widely varying in scale and building type. Their quality bodes well for the future of Scottish architecture but the five Special Mentions are of truly international quality and the winner is a gem.”

Sholto Humphries, President of the RIAS, commented that;
“The RIAS was established to promote Scotland’s architecture and support best practice. The Doolan Award does both - in spades! We are very grateful to the late Andy Doolan’s family and the Scottish Government and particularly the Cabinet Secretary for their tremendous and continuing support.”

Maggie’s Gartnavel, Glasgow, Scotland - winner of UK’s Richest Architecture Prize
Maggies Gartnavel
photo © Adrian Welch

RIAS Awards

RIBA Awards

18 Nov 2011

RIAS Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture

The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh

Scoops UK’s Richest Architecture Prize

At a ceremony in the Scottish Parliament last night, The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh by Gareth Hoskins Architects Ltd has been awarded the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award 2011. From a shortlist of 13 projects the judges selected The National Museum of Scotland as a clear winner. The award was presented by the Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Ms Fiona Hyslop MSP with Mrs Margaret Doolan Hon FRIAS (the late Andrew Doolan’s mother).

RIAS Andrew Doolan Award Winners:
RIAS Andrew Doolan Award Winners
photo © Malcolm Cochrane

Ms Hyslop, commented;
“Scotland has an international reputation for creativity and innovation, enhanced by the outstanding quality of Scottish architecture. This excellence is demonstrated by the record number of schemes shortlisted for this year’s RIAS Doolan Award, which inspires ever-higher standards of design by celebrating and recognising the very best of architecture in Scotland. The transformation of the National Museum of Scotland is truly breathtaking, making this project a worthy winner of the Award."

National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland
photo © Adrian Welch

The judges citation for the winning building highlights the ‘big moves’ of opening up new street level entrances, excavating the previous basement store as new gallery spaces and the ingenuity of the building’s new circulation which draws visitors up and through its superbly restored spaces.

The winner of this year’s RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award receives a specially commissioned gold lined silver tumbler by internationally renowned Scottish Jeweller, James Brent Ward and a cheque for £25,000. This makes it the richest architectural prize in the UK and one of the most significant awards in Europe. The award is generously supported by the late Andrew Doolan’s family and by the Scottish Government.

The full judges citation for the winning project reads:
“Prior to its refurbishment the Museum, opened in 1866, had been adapted and extended through the decades. Accretions, partitions and obstructions compromised the building and the enjoyment of its nationally important collections. The completion of the second phase of the masterplan has expanded the gallery spaces, restored much of the original architect’s intent and significantly improved access and visitor facilities.

The big moves are the opening up of the façade to create new accessible street level entrances, the excavation of the existing basement stores area to form a new entrance hall with shop and café and new staircases and lifts to the refurbished “grand gallery”.

Further opening up of previously partitioned-off routes, new escalators and the reclamation of long vistas draws visitors up and around the dramatic upper galleries. The original spatial quality of the building has been brilliantly recovered with a skilful play of light and movement through its spaces. All this is achieved with such subtlety that even some expert critics have failed to fully comprehend the care which has gone into its execution. This transformed museum now fully merits its national epithet. This sensitive and intelligent adaptation enhances both the building and the objects displayed within it.”

The building was selected from a strong shortlist which represented a comprehensive range of building types. The judges felt that seven projects merit a Special Mention. These are:

10 Pearce Street, Govan, Glasgow
Austin-Smith:Lord LLP
Pearce Street
photo © Keith Hunter

Pearce Street Govan

Grödians, Shetland Isles
Richard Gibson Architects

Hillcrest Housing Association HQ
Nicoll Russell Studios

Hillhead Primary School, Glasgow
jmarchitects Ltd.
Hillhead Primary School
photo from architects
Hillhead School

The Houl, south west Scotland
Simon Winstanley Architects
The Houl
photo © Andrew Lee

The Houl

Linlithgow Burgh Halls, West Lothian
Malcolm Fraser Architects

Phoenix Flowers, Glasgow
7N Architects and RankinFraser Landscape Architecture
Garscube Link Flowers Installation
photo © Tom Manley

Phoenix Flowers

19 Nov 2010

RIAS Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture

Shettleston Housing Association Offices, Glasgow
Elder and Cannon Architects
Shettleston Housing Association Offices
photo © Andrew Lee
Shettleston Housing Association Offices - external link

Housing Association Offices in Glasgow Scoop UK’s Richest Architecture Prize

At a ceremony in the Scottish Parliament, Shettleston Housing Association Offices, Glasgow by Elder and Cannon Architects has been awarded the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award 2010. From a shortlist of eleven projects the judges selected the McManus Galleries, Dundee by Page\Park Architects for a Special Mention and the Shettleston Housing Association Offices as a clear winner. The award was presented by the Minister for Culture and External Affairs, Ms Fiona Hyslop MSP.

The judges citation for the winning building highlights the ingenuity of the new extension and the clever and careful way a historic building and a very contemporary new structure have been brought together.

RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award 2010 winners:
Andrew Doolan Awards Andrew Doolan Award winners
photos © Mike Wilkinson

The full citation reads:
“The former Co-operative halls, an Edwardian red sandstone building, is among the finest monuments within Shettleston. Its adaptation and extension provides a welcoming reception area, meeting rooms, open plan and cellular office spaces and a large boardroom. The roof of the extension is decked, providing an outdoor seating area.

The historic features of the former co-operative building, particularly the upper level proscenium and the double-height upper hall are respected within the new development. The two-storey extension provides the entrance to the linked spaces within. While its stripped-down contemporary form contrasts with the decorated sandstone of its neighbour, its scale is simultaneously respectful and distinctly of the current era. By extending the frame of the new building to the eaves level of its historic neighbour, these quite distinct structures are read as parts of an elegant entirety.

Internally the refurbished and new areas are naturally lit and ventilated. A palette of high quality materials creates an inviting suite of offices and meeting rooms. This is an important building for Shettleston. There is no question that new architecture of this quality will contribute to enhanced pride of place and hopefully serve as a catalyst to further high quality development in the area.”

The building was selected from a strong shortlist which represented a comprehensive range of building types, including housing, a restored cinema, a dramatic new pavilion at the entrance to the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens and a centre for children with special needs. This year’s judges were Professor Andrew MacMillan (Chair), David Dunbar PRIAS, the London based international architect Edgar Gonzalez and Jonathan Speirs, the world renowned lighting architect.

The winner of the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award receives a gold medal designed by the Scottish sculptor Hazel Armour and a cheque for £25,000. This makes it the richest architectural prize in the UK and one of the most significant awards in Europe. The award is generously supported by the late Andrew Doolan’s family and by the Scottish Government.

Fiona Hyslop, the Minister for Culture and External Affairs said; "Scottish architecture is among the very best in Europe, as demonstrated by the exceptional calibre of this year's shortlist.  We have projects of outstanding quality which are having a positive impact on our communities, our economy and the environment.  Each year, the contenders for the RIAS Doolan Award reinforce our international reputation for excellence in architecture, and inspire ever higher standards of design in Scotland."

Professor Andy MacMillan, who chaired the judging, commented; “The winning scheme is a masterly essay in architectural understatement. Its materials and detailing unify the design internally but the bringing together of two quite distinct eras of architecture externally is deftly done. Elder and Cannon Architects must be commended for creating a new work for Glasgow of international quality.”

Edgar Gonzalez said; “Having worked on Scottish projects, the consistent quality across the shortlisted schemes was no surprise. However the fact that most of these projects are designed and delivered locally demonstrates the extraordinary skills and care of clients, architects and contractors, a huge asset for any small nation and something of which all Scots should be proud.”

David Dunbar, President of the RIAS, commented that; “The Doolan Award is named in recognition of an inspired Scottish architect/entrepreneur. Andy Doolan was determined that this should be the largest architectural prize in the UK, recognising the superb quality of Scottish projects which he felt was being overlooked by other awards. Once again this year Andy’s faith in Scottish architectural creativity is borne out in the brilliant range of shortlisted projects from Dunoon to Raasay and many places in between. These are buildings full of delight and fun which will serve their communities well and for a long time to come.”

Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award Shortlist

Doolan Prize Shortlist Buildings, alphabetical:

The Briggait Redevelopment, Glasgow
Nicoll Russell Studios
The Briggait Glasgow
photo © Andrew Lee
The Briggait Glasgow - external link

15 Fiscavaig, Skye
Rural Design
Fiscavaig House
image from architect
Fiscavaig House

The Hippodrome Cinema, Bo’ness
The Pollock Hammond Partnership
Hippodrome Cinema Bo’ness
photo : The Pollock Hammond Partnership
Hippodrome Cinema Bo’ness

House on a Hill, Aberdeenshire
Paterson Architects
St. Cyrus House
photo © Keith Hunter
St. Cyrus House

John Hope Gateway, Edinburgh
Edward Cullinan Architects
Botanic Gardens Edinburgh
building image from RBGE
John Hope Gateway - external link

McManus Galleries, Dundee
Page \ Park Architects
McManus Dundee
photo © Andrew Lee
McManus Galleries

Medical & Biological Sciences Building, University of St Andrews
Reiach and Hall Architects
Medical & Biological Sciences Building
photo © Andrew Lee
St Andrews Medical School Building

Raasay Community Hall, Skye
Dualchas Building Design
Raasay Community Hall
photo © Andrew Lee
Raasay Community Hall

Shettleston Housing Association Offices, Glasgow
Elder and Cannon Architects
Shettleston Housing Association Offices
photo © Andrew Lee
Shettleston Housing Association Offices - external link

Tigh Na Cladach (House by the Shore), Dunoon
Gokay Devici Chartered Architect
Tigh-Na-Cladach
photo © Andrew Lee
Tigh-Na-Cladach

The West Centre, Glasgow
anderson bell + christie
West Centre Glasgow
photo © Keith Hunter
West Centre

2 Nov 2010

Doolan Prize - Best Building in Scotland Award

RIAS Announces Strong Shortlist for £25,000 Doolan Prize

The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland has announced a shortlist of eleven buildings for the UK’s richest architectural prize, the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award which is jointly funded by the Scottish Government and the family of the late Andrew Doolan who founded the award.

David Dunbar, President of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, said: “We are delighted that Scotland has once again come up with such a strong list of submissions. The crop of new buildings in Scotland is undoubtedly among the best in Europe and we are confident that this year’s Doolan Award will confirm the consistently excellent work currently being produced to the benefit of Scotland and the Scots.”

The Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award judging panel for 2010, chaired by Professor Andrew MacMillan, also includes RIAS President David Dunbar, international architect Edgar Gonzalez and the renowned lighting architect Jonathan Speirs who is a Fellow of the RIAS. Edgar Gonzalez commented; “This year’s shortlist exemplifies the immensely strong architectural culture of contemporary Scotland. The rigour of all these buildings is allied to a great care for their users, responsiveness to context and a real delight in the potential of architecture to enhance environments - and people’s lives.”

An announcement of the Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award jury’s decision will be made by Scotland’s Minister for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop and Andrew Doolan’s mother, Mrs Margaret Doolan, at the Scottish Parliament on 19th November 2010.

Previously:

RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award Winners

2009
Small Animal Hospital, Glasgow
Archial Architects
Small Animal Hospital Glasgow
photo © Andrew Lee

Small Animal Hospital Glasgow

Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture : 2009

2008
Joint Winners

Potterrow, Edinburgh
Bennetts Associates
Edinburgh Informatics
building image © adrian welch
Potterrow, Edinburgh

Castlemilk House Stables Block, Glasgow
Elder & Cannon Architects
Castlemilk building
photo © Keith Hunter

Castlemilk House Stables Block, Glasgow

Special Mention:
Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, Inverness
Gareth Hoskins Architects Ltd

Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture : 2008

2007
Pier Arts Centre, Orkney
Reiach & Hall Architects
Pier Arts Centre
photo © Gavin Fraser, Alastair Peebles

Andy Doolan Awards winner

Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture : 2007

2006
Maggie's Highland Cancer Care Centre, Inverness
Page\Park Architects
Maggies Inverness
photo © Adrian Welch
Best Building in Scotland - Maggies Highlands

2005
Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
EMBT/RMJM

2004
St Aloysius College, Glasgow
Elder and Cannon Architects

2003
An Turas, Tiree
Sutherland Hussey Architects with Jake Harvey, Glen Onwin, Donald Urquhart and Sandra Kennedy

2002
Dance Base, Edinburgh
Malcolm Fraser Architects

RIAS Award for Architecture



 




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