The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and British Council are seeking entries for Open Door, a project celebrating outstanding conservation work in the UK and China.
The open call welcomes examples of heritage projects from emerging architects, practitioners, and academics involved in the preservation or renovation of buildings and places, based in either mainland China or the UK.
Entries will join a selection of RIBA-award winning buildings to be assessed by an Expert Advisory Group, who will divide submissions into two categories: 20th Century heritage buildings and pre-1901 buildings.
They will select a total of fourteen winning projects based on their cultural significance and renovation techniques to attempt to meet net zero. These will be exhibited in a digital showcase and exhibition in Shanghai in September 2022.
Director of Architecture Design and Fashion at the British Council, Sevra Davis, said:
“Adapting and reusing materials in architecture heritage helps to embed sustainability and circular design in the work we do. There are also environmental and economic benefits in doing so.
The Open Door project is an exciting opportunity for emerging architects and associate organisations in the UK and China to learn from each other, to share knowledge and mutual exchange across cultures and borders and across industries. We are really looking forward to the submissions from the architecture communities of both countries.”
Chair of the Expert Advisory Group, Ben Derbyshire, said:
“As a Commissioner at Historic England, I am deeply engaged in promoting heritage as a signifier of cultural identity. Restoration and care of heritage helps to create a special sense of place and contributes to meeting the climate challenge through the preservation of embodied carbon.
I look forward to seeing how the cultural exchanges that take place between Britain and China through Open Door can transcend boundaries, and how architects from both cultures can use their shared knowledge and skills to enhance wellbeing through heritage buildings.”
The Expert Advisory Group comprises Commissioner at Historic England and RIBA Past President, Ben Derbyshire; Director and Chief Architect of Guangdong Architectural Design & Research Institute, Chen Xiong; Managing Partner at FCB Studios, Geoff Rich; Co-founder of Amateur Architecture Studio, Lu Wenyu and RTPI Past President and urban designer, Wei Yang.
The RIBA and British Council will also host two masterclass events in October featuring the winning projects, which will provide a forum for discussions around contemporary architecture conservation.
Entries for Open Door close at 16.00 (BST) / 23:00 (CST) Monday 23 May 2022. For more information visit here.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Media contacts: arts@britishcouncil.org.cn or press.office@riba.org.
- Press images can be downloaded here.
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Follow @RIBA on Twitter for regular updates.
- The British Council is the UK's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We build connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and the English language. Last year we reached over 67 million people directly and 745 million people overall including online, and through broadcasts and publications. Founded in 1934, we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We receive a 15 per cent core funding grant from the UK government. www.britishcouncil.org
