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Best Building in Scotland : Andrew Doolan Award

RIAS Award for Architecture : Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture

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: 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 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 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. photo from architects Hillhead School The Houl, south west Scotland Simon Winstanley Architects photo © Andrew Lee The Houl Linlithgow Burgh Halls, West Lothian Malcolm Fraser Architects Phoenix Flowers, Glasgow 7N Architects and RankinFraser Landscape Architecture photo © Tom Manley Phoenix Flowers 19 Nov 2010 RIAS Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture Shettleston Housing Association Offices, Glasgow Elder and Cannon Architects 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: 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 photo © Andrew Lee The Briggait Glasgow - external link 15 Fiscavaig, Skye Rural Design image from architect Fiscavaig House The Hippodrome Cinema, Bo’ness The Pollock Hammond Partnership photo : The Pollock Hammond Partnership Hippodrome Cinema Bo’ness House on a Hill, Aberdeenshire Paterson Architects photo © Keith Hunter St. Cyrus House John Hope Gateway, Edinburgh Edward Cullinan Architects building image from RBGE John Hope Gateway - external link McManus Galleries, Dundee Page \ Park Architects photo © Andrew Lee McManus Galleries Medical & Biological Sciences Building, University of St Andrews Reiach and Hall Architects photo © Andrew Lee St Andrews Medical School Building Raasay Community Hall, Skye Dualchas Building Design photo © Andrew Lee Raasay Community Hall Shettleston Housing Association Offices, Glasgow Elder and Cannon Architects photo © Andrew Lee Shettleston Housing Association Offices - external link Tigh Na Cladach (House by the Shore), Dunoon Gokay Devici Chartered Architect photo © Andrew Lee Tigh-Na-Cladach The West Centre, Glasgow anderson bell + christie 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 photo © Andrew Lee Small Animal Hospital Glasgow Andrew Doolan Award for Architecture : 2009 2008 Joint Winners Potterrow, Edinburgh Bennetts Associates building image © adrian welch Potterrow, Edinburgh Castlemilk House Stables Block, Glasgow Elder & Cannon Architects 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 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 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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