RIBA regional 08 winners

A new record was marked today when three winners of regional RIBA Awards were announced by the RIBA Head of South West Jon Watkins. The winning projects in the RIBA South West region are the Roland Levinsky Building, University of Plymouth; Newlyn Art Gallery and The Exchange, Penzance. 

Talking after the winners were announced Jon Watkins said “RIBA Awards are given to projects which demonstrate the power and purpose of high quality design in the built environment.  This years winners are perfect examples of the benefits a fantastic architect can bring to the built legacy of this region”. The Roland Levinsky Building by Bristol-based Building Design Partnership with Henning Larsen Architects of Denmark stands tall over the Plymouth skyline and makes a powerful statement linking the university to the city. The building houses the university’s School of Architecture.

Jury Chair and award-winning architect Sasha Bhavan said ‘This quality of building is something Plymouth University appears to have achieved across the board in their recently commissioned buildings. A great place to be a student - an example to other universities.’ 

Penzance achieved a double bill of winning projects by MUMA Architects, London in The Exchange and Newlyn Art Gallery that add to the RIBA Town & Country Design Award the Exchange received in 2007.

Director of Design at Jaguar Cars and lay juror Ian Callum said of The Exchange that ‘the project has regenerated this back street in Penzance and a wonderful resource has been created. The partnership of architect and artist, Peter Freeman has created a clever, dynamic light show system where the bottom lit vertical fins of glass change colour and intensity to create a Mexican wave along the street. It also responds to passers by following them along as they walk.’ 

Juror Richard White of Mitchell Architects Ltd, Plymouth said of Newlyn Art Gallery that ‘this is a beautiful building. The jury were completely seduced. The gallery’s stunning use of glass juxtaposed with the magnificence of the seascape enriches even this beautiful spot. The detailing is sophisticated, calm and simple, the finishes and furniture pleasing and settled. The ingenius use of the vernacular, wrapping of slate around roof, gable and walls using the local technique of wet laid Cornish slate all contribute to the overall traditional but contemporary feel.’ The internationally renowned RIBA Awards are given for buildings that have achieved high architectural standards and make a substantial contribution to the local environment. The awards are annual, and have been running continuously since 1966.