Four Devon Projects Triumph in Prestigious Architecture Awards

Four Devon projects have been successful in the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) annual awards programme. Two private houses, Berry Head Rocks and The Green House in South Devon joined Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Art Gallery in winning RIBA South West Regional Awards, with The Forum at University of Exeter picking up a coveted RIBA National Award.

The Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery at Exeter by Allies and Morrison claimed an RIBA South West Regional Award, Regional Conservation Award, and Regional Building of the Year at the prestigious ceremony at Swindon on 12 June. Jury chair Richard Rose-Casemore of Design Engine Architects said, ’Exeter City Council should be applauded. The passion and commitment shown in the vision, funding and delivery of this building is extraordinary. Empowered by the community, the project now sits as an important ingredient of the emerging Culture Quarter and has become an educational and tourist focal point, and a city treasure’.

Of The Forum by Wilkinson Eyre Architects, jury chair Richard Rose-Casemore of Design Engine Architects said, ‘This building at last gives a centre to a green, yet disparate, campus. A fluid spruce gridshell roof sails over and around existing rectilinear buildings including the library and Great Hall. With this bold juxtaposition come detailing problems that are resolved elegantly and individually: an undoubted labour of love.’

Brixham based Stan Bolt Architects picked up two RIBA South West Regional Awards for private houses Berry Head Rocks and The Green House, both in south Devon. Regional juror Jonathan Ball MBE said,’ Berry Head Rocks is a masterclass in house design, with a generous budget on a truly remarkable site. The low profile house is set down discreetly with planted roofs below the coast road. There is genuine theatre, none of the clichéd moves of modern living.’

RIBA South West regional director Jon Watkins said ‘The RIBA Awards always bring out the best in local and national architects on projects in our region. It is delightful that Devon has been such a focus for success this year and I commend all of the clients and architects for their work in raising the profile of architecture across the two county’.

The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will be drawn from the RIBA National Award winning buildings and the 2013 RIBA Stirling Prize will be announced on Thursday 26 September 2013 in London.

Speaking today, RIBA President Angela Brady said: “The RIBA Awards set the standard for great architecture in the UK, so it is wonderful to see 3 national and 9 regional award winners in the South West. These are projects that represent architectural excellence on a national level, projects that go beyond the brief and exceed the client’s expectations. Investing in good design for our towns and communities is vital; even in hard times we must continue to create vibrant and inspiring buildings and places for future generations to use and enjoy. This year’s winners are hugely exciting and I wish the RIBA National Award winners the best of luck as contenders for the architecture’s Oscars – the RIBA Stirling Prize.”

The full list of the 9 winning projects in the South West are:

Beacon Edge, Bath (CaSA Architects, Bath): RIBA South West Regional Award

Berry Head Rocks, Devon (Stan Bolt Architect, Brixham): RIBA South West Regional Award
Chedworth Roman Villa, Gloucestershire (Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Bath): RIBA South West Regional Award + RIBA National Award
Cranham Lodge, nr Cheltenham (Batterham Matthews, Bath): RIBA South West Regional Award
Heartlands, Redruth (Stride Treglown, Truro): RIBA South West Regional Award + Client of the Year + RIBA National Award
Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, Exeter (Allies and Morrison, London): RIBA South West Regional Award + Regional Building of the Year
St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Gloucester (Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Bath): RIBA South West Regional Award
The Forum, Exeter University (Wilkinson Eyre, London): RIBA South West Regional Award + RIBA National Award
The Green House, Devon (Stan Bolt Architect, Brixham): RIBA South West Regional Award