Glasgow Institute of Architects 2004 Winners, Strathclyde Architecture Prize Entry Info, Commendations, Forms

GIA Awards 2004 Winners News

GIA Awards – Tickets, Venue, Date – Architecture Prize Strathclyde

post updated 11 August 2023

GLASGOW INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

GIA Design Awards 2004

The exhibition was at Newton Stewart library and then Stranraer library for the remainder of this month, and then RIAS Gallery for the month of January 2005.

Glasgow Institute of Architects Awards 2004

Winner – Easterhouse Health Centre by Davis Duncan Architects

GIA Award Winners and Commendations in 2004:

AWARDS
Easterhouse Health Centre by Davis Duncan Architects
12 Broomhill Place, Glasgow by Studio KAP Architects

COMMENDATIONS
Beith Town Centre by Robert Potter and Partners
St. Mungo’s, Townhead by Page and Park Architects
Studio/Workshop, St. John’s Town of Dalry by Crallan and Winstanley Architects
The Fotheringay Centre, Glasgow by Davis Duncan Architects

GIA ANNUAL DESIGN AWARDS

The GIA Design Awards were the brainchild of the Environment Committee of 1977, who put forward a proposal to Council that GIA should examine the possibility of an annual award for the best new or adapted building in the Chapter area. The Committee were of the firm view that only those buildings which achieved an exceptionally high standard should be considered, setting the criteria that the award would be for examples of “good architecture and buildings, whether new or adapted, which express good design in terms of function and effectiveness as well as aesthetics”. At this early stage, it was agreed that the objective would not necessarily be to find the best building, but to promote public interest in good buildings. This objective survives today, with the promotion and publication of entries to the public at large every bit as important as selecting a winner.

Seven entries were received for the 1978 GIA Award, the outcome of which was that the judging panel ruthlessly dismissed all seven as being insufficiently “excellent” and refused to make an award. Council re-visited the assessment criteria, although in the event retained the requirement of “excellence”, and in 1979 from the twenty entries received, awards were made to six buildings – including King, Main and Ellison’s Scottish Amicable Headquarters on St. Vincent Street. Entries were exhibited in the Design Centre which, until its demise as a viable venue, hosted the GIA Design Awards Exhibition on an annual basis.

In recent years, categories under which buildings can be submitted have been introduced, and from time to time there have been Sponsor’s Awards, a President’s Award and a People’s Choice Award. All these have been as a result of the continuing support and interest of the Chapter practices who enter regularly, and the panels of judges whose enthusiasm for their task has over the years remained undiminished. Critically, also, the Awards Exhibition has gone from strength to strength helping fulfil the original objectives of the initiative as devised twenty-seven years ago.

This year, the criteria that the building had been completed for at least six months was re-introduced and, as a result of this, the number of entries was reduced, although the standard remained exceptionally high. Of the twenty-two entries received, twenty received a note of interest from at least one of the judges and, in the event, visits were made to twelve of these.

This year’s judges were Fiona Sinclair (President of the Glasgow Institute of Architects), Martin McKay (GIA Communications Convenor), Councillor Patricia Chalmers, Liliane McGeoch (President of the Stirling Society of Architects) Ian Gracie of Watson Stonecraft, and Neil Gillespie of Reiach and Hall. Over a two-day period they travelled the length and breadth of the Chapter area and, it has to be said, were until the afternoon of the Awards Dinner still debating the merits of the various buildings viewed.

There were a number of near misses – buildings about which one or even two of the judges felt strongly but which in the event didn’t quite win through. These included the St. Cuthbert’s Street housing in Maybole by Wren Rutherford, Bearsden Baptist Church by Davis Duncan Architects, 200 Broomielaw by Keppie Design, the Icon Building by Elder and Cannon and 27 Whittinghame Drive by Davis Duncan, a building in which the current owner clearly feels a great deal of pride.

After much deliberation, the judges awarded four commendations and two awards. Two of the commendations were made in the Conservation category, where it was felt very strongly that the projects represented much more than simply a job well done. The Cross Regeneration Project in Beith by Robert Potter and Partners used lottery and Historic Scotland funding to recreate something of real townscape value out of a series of buildings which were on the brink of collapse. Although visited in twilight, the judges could still appreciate the very real impact this meticulously detailed project had made to the area, although they had reservations about the appropriateness of the landscaping. Congratulations are due to both architect and contractor for a lovely piece of work which has restored dignity to Beith town centre.

St. Mungo’s Church at Townhead, restored for the Archdiocese of Glasgow by Page and Park Architects, was judged to be a project where careful research and innovative thinking had informed the end result. A model example of sound conservation, the project also employed the sort of lateral thinking which acknowledged the importance of creating a 21st Century interior but with a subtlety which pays due respect to the 19th century church. Furthermore, the craftsmanship was exemplary.

In the Small Works category the judges found a further commendation in the shape of a studio/workshop for Professor Roger Breakwell in St. John’s Town of Dalry. Designed by Crallan and Winstanley Architects, and empty at the time of visiting, they could nevertheless visualise this building with its big sliding doors open, the client painting in the studio, and the rest of the family swinging their legs as they relaxed on the deck. They particularly admired the manner in which the restricted budget had been prioritised and enjoyed the care with which the local joiner had assembled the parts.

The final commendation went to the Fotheringay Centre in Glasgow by Davis Duncan. Although there were those of the judges who felt that the impact of the work was slightly diminished by the number of materials used, the restoration of the original church was impeccable, the link block very fine, and the overall composition made a significant contribution to its setting.

This year, GIA gave only two awards – in which the judges were unanimous. The first went to an exquisite house extension in Broomhill by Studio KAP Architects. Built on a tiny budget this kitchen and family room space transformed an otherwise relatively ordinary suburban semi. The client spoke eloquently of her plans for the garden now that it formed part of her actual living space. The judges were impressed by the simplicity of the structure, where the cedar shingle-clad cloakroom and a seating area (affectionately called the bus-shelter) were cantilevered at front and back, by the sparing – yet effective – use of colour, and by the overall standard of detailng. A worthy winner, much loved by the client.

And so, to the final award. The first building visited by the judges, Easterhouse Health Centre by Davis Duncan Architects, simply got better and better the more they talked about it. It was felt that in the first instance, the re-use of two existing buildings and their careful integration as part of a larger whole sent out messages of sustainability and the value of established buildings. Secondly, the stigma created by the distinct functions of the original buildings was at once removed by the new centre, whose screen wall and lovely waiting areas successfully removed any previous associations. Neil Gillespie noted that it had a kind of nostalgic sense of modernism – a white building that is good for you. It had a civic presence, yet managed to be approachable. As Patricia Chalmers noted, an area such as Easterhouse needs to aspire to buildings of this standard. The judges loved it. Many congratulations to the team from Davis Duncan Architects.

GIA Annual Members Dinner
The GIA are now announcing tickets sales for this years GIA dinner, which is to be held in the new West End Venue Oran Mor Glasgow, 375 Great Western Road at Byres Road.

Location: Oran Mor, 375 Great Western Road at Byres Road
Tickets: £40

The function suite at Oran Mor features a ceiling mural by the acclaimed Scottish Author and artist Alasdair Gray. With the quality of the venue combined with a excellent menu this years GIA Annual Members Dinner promises to be an event not to be missed.

This years GIA Awards Main Speaker is Neil Baxter of Neil Baxter Associates who will be well known to many of you. Our chairman of the evening will be announced shortly.

The 2004 Annual GIA Awards will be announced on the evening and the Awards Exhibition will also be on display on the night.

Glasgow Institute of Architects
GIA Awards 2004: DEADLINE EXTENDED to 23 Jul 2004
With the deadline now extended don’t miss your opportunity to submit an entry to the 2004 GIA Awards and have your project featured in the forthcoming GIA newsletter. Entries will also be shorlisted to feature in the GIA Annual Awards Exhibition.

In order to include the entries in the newsletter and exhibition submissions require to be in digital format and guidance is given on the attached entry form.

Multiple GIA Awards submissions from practices and individuals will be accepted.

GIA Annual Design Awards Exhibition
Gallery of Modern Art Library, Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow
Hillhead library, Byres Road,
With a change in format to a travelling exhibition, this year the GIA Annual Awards Exhibition will be on show in a number of venues. The exhibition will be on show in Glasgow on the above dates.
Entry to both venues is free. The Library at GoMA, which is in the basement, is a great place to grab a coffee as the exhibition is on display in the Café.
The exhibition will also be on display at the Annual Members Dinner on Friday 19th of November and will then be displayed at venues outwith Glasgow.

Glasgow Institute of Architects

Glasgow Institute of Architects Awards 2004 winners information from the GIA

GIA Awards : main page with current information

Commonwealth Games Stadium

The Burrell Museum