THE Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) has unveiled the shortlist for this year’s Best Building award.
Established in 2002, the RIAS aims to celebrate some of the finest architecture the country has to offer with an expert jury looking at each project’s integrity, usability, context, delivery and execution.
The winning architect receives a £10,000 cash prize, making this one of the most significant awards in the world.
Here’s all you need to know about the nominees.
Campus Central – University of Stirling – Page/Park Architects
Up until recently, the University of Stirling has faced criticism for its accessibility which was exacerbated by the presence of a bus terminal and roundabout.
However, Campus Central by Page/Park Architects has helped resolve this problem, bringing a welcoming central entrance to the wider campus.
Cuddymoss – North Ayrshire – Ann Nisbet Studio
Set in the Ayrshire landscape, Cuddymoss was conceived as a “building within a ruin”.
On arrival, it may not seem immediately obvious that anything but the ruin is there but the intervention within sits back from the existing stone structure, creating deep reveals in the original openings.
Hundred Acre Wood – Argyll and Bute – Denizen Works
Situated within the landscape of Loch Awe, this is a large, silver-grey house developed from a study of historic Scottish architecture.
The plan is designed around a huge central hall, with warm light bouncing off a two-metre-wide circular roof lined in gold leaf.
Laidlaw Music Centre – University of St Andrews - Flanagan Lawrence
The Laidlaw Music Centre caters for professional, student and community users alike and is considered a well composed addition to the area’s ancient centre.
Alongside the suite of rehearsal and practice spaces within the building, the main performance space – the McPherson Recital Room – incorporates two world firsts for a chamber hall - a fully mechanized floor beneath it and a reverberation chamber above to allow the space to be tuneable both spatially and acoustically.
Senior partner at RHSP Tracy Meller and chair of the jury which judges the entries said: “We have a tough job to select a winner from the four outstanding buildings on this year’s Doolan Award shortlist.
“Whether unlocking a tricky urban challenge or doing justice to a remarkable rural setting, each has a superb relationship with its context.
“The clients’ briefs could not be more different, and yet each building demonstrates exceptional imagination, skill and flair.”
The award is named after the founder and patron of the RIAS Andrew Doolan, who died in 2004.
“I know Andrew Doolan wanted the award established in his name to celebrate the very best of Scottish architecture, and this year’s shortlist does exactly that”, Meller added.
The winner will be announced on November 30.
