Designs on success: The 2016 RIAS architecture award winners
- Published
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland has announced the 11 winners of the 2016 award for best current Scottish architecture. Blakeburn, Roxburghshire (A449 LTD) was described as "a complete overhaul of a nondescript, mid-20th century, dwelling to create a unique and elegant countryside home".
This design by Taylor Architecture Practice Ltd for Castle MacLellan Foods, Kirkcudbright "aimed to create a well-designed, industrial building that was a pleasurable working environment with a welcoming frontage in a riverside setting. A new reception block on the street edge provides a point of arrival while rising up to become a bridge, spanning the main goods-in area and linking to the upper level of the existing factory."
The judges' citation said: "This 280-pupil school is designed to deliver the new Scottish Curriculum for Excellence," said the judges, adding:"The canal-side location was the inspiration for construction parallel to the water with semi-open plan learning spaces and double-height glazing to provide views and a light and spacious environment." Lairdsland Primary School in Kirkintilloch was the work of Walters and Cohen Architects.
The Pyramid Viewpoint, Dunbartonshire by BTE Architecture. "This peninsula viewpoint overlooking Loch Lomond, taking the shape of a triangular platform at the end of a long, curved path is first seen as a narrow, vertical stack amongst the trees. Only a glimpse of the loch is visible through a long tunnel, marking the entrance."
"Located at the edge of a major crossing of the River Clyde, the site marks a gateway in the city and projects the College’s importance as a civic institution as well as creating a new landmark." City of Glasgow College, Riverside Campus by Michael Laird Architects/Reiach and Hall Architects.
Forsinard Lookout Tower, Sutherland by Icosis Architects. "This tower was created to give visitors an elevated and striking look-out over the Flow Country and its blanket peat bogs and associated pools."
Helensburgh Town Centre Public Realm is the work of Austin-Smith: Lord LLP. "The design ethos was to create a town centre with attractive, usable and flexible public spaces to support community events, festivals and markets."
"The challenge was providing 135,000 sq ft of offices while preserving a listed building and integrating this with an innovative new design that blended with its surroundings and added to the cityscape." 1 West Regent Street, Glasgow by Ryder Architecture.
Saunders Centre, Science & Technology Building, Glasgow by Page/Park Architects. "This facility at the Glasgow Academy includes a new 178-seat auditorium, complemented by a generous foyer that wraps around the sculptural elliptical form. On each upper floor, four general teaching labs, together with a sixth year lab, are arranged along a glazed break out and bay-windowed passage overlooking the historic main school."
"A collection of abandoned farm sheds on the site provided the inspiration for the built form. Zinc-House, Angus by LJR+H Chartered Architects.
“It's bigger on the inside”, Edinburgh byDavid Blaikie Architects. "This 'glass box' extension and remodelling of the ground floor rear rooms allows the new kitchen and dining spaces of this, Category B listed, Victorian townhouse to 'spill out' into a south-facing garden."