The Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW) announced today that four buildings have been shortlisted for the RSAW Welsh Architecture Awards - the first stage of the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) Awards 2017.
From the 10 entries submitted, the four shortlisted buildings in Wales this year are:
- One Central Square, Cardiff by Rio Architects
- Rhyl High School by AHR
- Silver House, Gower Peninsular by Hyde + Hyde Architects
- The Chickenshed, Monmouthshire by Hall + Bednarczyk Architects
All shortlisted buildings will be visited by the regional jury, comprising two architects and a non-architect ‘lay assessor’, in the coming weeks, with the winning buildings announced at a reception in The Classroom, Cardiff and Vale College on Tuesday 30th May.
Winners of Welsh Architecture Awards will be considered for a RIBA National Award, which will be announced in June. The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning buildings later in the year.
Summary of shortlisted projects:
One Central Square, Cardiff
Rio Architects’ new office building, commissioned by Rightacres Property Co. Ltd as the first phase of a five-year development plan for Central Square, Cardiff, creates a new pedestrian boulevard linking the railway station to the Principality Stadium. With an internal area of 16,084m2, a fully glazed element separates the ceramic granite clad base from the precast concrete clad office space above. The working environment provides flexible office space, a business lounge, external terraces and cycle facilities, as well as panoramic views over the city and beyond.
Rhyl High School
Delivered as part of the Welsh Government’s 21st Century Schools programme and designed by AHR, this 3-storey building forms a campus with the retained community leisure facilities and offers 1,200 student places. The design exhibits ‘learning on display’, with the naturally lit central space providing glimpses of learning zones and views right through the building, with the main library prominently positioned above the entrance. Pupils themselves chose the distinctive gold-coloured external cladding, mixed with panels of vernacular brick, to reflect the historic tradition of gold-mining in the area and the school’s aspirations.
Silver House, Gower Peninsular
This new home by Hyde + Hyde Architects perches high on a limestone cliff on the windswept coastline of the Gower Peninsular, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The ground floor materials respond to the local medieval tradition of dry stone walling, with sharply defined portal windows with integrated seating and the solidity of concrete adding to the heightened sense of protection against the frequently robust weather. Living spaces at first floor level rest on exposed timber beams, referring to the construction of nearby agricultural buildings.
The Chickenshed
A former poultry barn, abandoned and run down for several decades, was the starting point for this four-bedroomed holiday home in the Monmouthshire countryside. The building footprint of 126m2 is arranged in a versatile and space-efficient layout, providing a welcoming environment and impressive views to the Black Mountains through a South-West-facing, floor-to-ceiling glass wall. The roof and flanking walls use black corrugated sheeting and timber cladding in a reference to typical agricultural materials.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- For further information and access to high resolution images please contact:
David Rossington or Mary Wrenn at RSAW
rsaw@riba.org
02920 228 987 - RIBA Awards have run continuously since 1966 and are judged and presented locally. No matter the shape, size, budget or location, RIBA Award-winning schemes set the standard for great architecture all across the country. RIBA Awards are for buildings in the UK by RIBA Chartered Architects and RIBA International Fellows.
- The Royal Society of Architects in Wales is the Wales Region of the RIBA and represents around 650 Chartered Architects in Wales. See architecture.com/wales for further information.
- To reserve tickets for the Presentation Ceremony on 30 May, please contact RSAW on 0292 022 8987 or email rsaw@riba.org. Tickets cost £25 + VAT.
