RIBA award winners announced
Four North West buildings won 2013 RIBA National Awards from the Royal Institute of British Architects in recognition of architectural excellence and a further nine won regional awards at a ceremony in Newcastle on Wednesday night.
The North West buildings that won a RIBA National Award were:
- Chetham's School of Music, Manchester by Roger Stephenson Architects
- Manchester Metropolitan Business School & Student Hub, Manchester by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
- Marks & Spencer Cheshire Oaks, Ellesmere Port by Aukett Fitzroy Robinson
- St Silas CofE Primary School, Blackburn by Capita Symonds
Judges' comments on national awards winners
Chetham's School of Music: "This is a highly thoughtful and beautifully crafted new addition to the medieval school campus. From its varied response to its topography, surrounding buildings and skyline, this is a perfect example of breaking down a relatively large brief so that the resulting building sits comfortably without overwhelming its historic setting."
M&S Cheshire Oaks: "The rolling timber roof form is powerful and memorable, as is its landscape in its rather sanitised edge-of-town setting. The store is warm, colourful, spacious and filled with light and no doubt hugely popular within its catchment area."
MMU Business School & Student Hub: "A classic three-fingered plan chopped at either end at 45° to make a successful relationship on entry with the adjacent building. This is a masterpiece of simple concept, fine detailing and thoughtful layout, wholly appropriate for those planning to enter the business community after graduation."
St Silas Church of England Primary School: "If buildings were judged on the smiles of the client, occupants and design team alone this wonderful school would win every prize imaginable. Clad in a glass coat of many but subtle colours the school is a beacon and a thing of wonder to its young users."
The North West buildings were amongst 50 buildings in the UK and Europe which received RIBA Awards, 43 in the UK and seven in the rest of the EU. The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize, for the best building of the year, will be drawn from these RIBA National and EU Award winners.
The following buildings were winners of a RIBA North West Regional Award:
- Darwen Vale High School, Blackburn by John McAslan + Partners
- Florence Institute, Liverpool by Purcell
- Great Marlborough Street, Manchester by Hodder + Partners
- Highfield Pavilion, Stalybridge by OMI Architects
- Rain Bow Gate, Burnley by Tonkin Liu
- Rockmount, Wirral by Shed KM
- Rossall Point Observation Tower, Fleetwood by Studio Three Architects
- Swan Square, Manchester by Q2 Architects
- Wolden Haus, Ormskirk by BYA Architects
