RIBA SW award winners

South West RIBA Awards Announced

High profile buildings in the South West have received top design acclaim highlighting the South West as a region of rich architectural diversity, as the regional RIBA Awards were announced today by the RIBA Head of South West Jon Watkins.

The winning projects in the RIBA South West region are the Scott Building, University of Plymouth; Pencalenick House nr Fowey, Cornwall (photo featured copyright Richard Davies); and Falmouth School's Design & Technology Building.

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 University of Plymouth's Scott Building houses the printing, media and photography facilities for the university, and the new extension designed by Nicholas Burwell Architects provides an interestingly different spatial experience, with an industrial feel and flooded with north light for all studios. The ground floor facade opens to create a wonderful shop window for the printing rooms towards the campus.

"The inspirational use of colours and materials matches the existing stone work with a modern interpretation of natural Plymouth stone, rich in colour and texture." said regional chair Ingrid Bille of internationally renowned architects Grimshaws.

Pencalenick House on the south Cornwall coastline by Seth Stein Architects is truly dominated by the sheer beauty of the location and the steep site is quite a challenge with the house's shape has sprung from its surroundings. The grass roof blends in well with the landscape and due to the sensitive use of local materials, stone, glass and timber the house creates a wonderful arts and crafts feeling.

The stone is very successfully executed in a traditional setting with richness in texture and colour.  The untreated cedar cladding for the outside blends in well with the surroundings, and the main family room is a great double height space, which opens upon stunning views across the bay through a glazed wall.

"The house makes a very sophisticated and stunning beach hut in a breathtaking surrounding" said fellow juror and RIBA Honorary Fellow Loren Butt.

Falmouth School's creative and funky new Design & Technology building by Urban Salon is a testament to the students who acted as the client and presented the scheme to the Education Secretary in London, secured funding and collaborated with the architect right up until final completion. The student client group was involved in all phases of the project and selected all materials based on their sustainable credentials.

"The space is a welcoming contrast in shape and material to the rest of the school, and one student has actually taken the project as an inspiration to study structural engineering", said regional juror and Director of the Architecture Centre Devon & Cornwall Tanya Griffiths.

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.

The Royal Institute of British Architects have a long tradition of leading public awareness of excellent design and a commitment to sustainable architecture is reflected in its awards programme, with all entries requiring a description of the building's performance in use with particular reference to energy use.

The winning architects will be presented with a commemorative lead plaque at a ceremony at the new Harvey Nichols at Quakers Friars, Bristol 21 May 2009 at which clients, local architects and the winners will celebrate this year's success.

RIBA South West winning projects

Scott Building, University of Plymouth (Nicholas Burwell Architects, London)

Falmouth School Design & Technology Building (Urban Salon, London)

Pencalenick House, Cornwall (Seth Stein Architects, London)

Other RIBA South West shortlisted projects

The Cube, Churston Ferrers School, Brixham (Gillespie Yunnie Architects, Totnes)