Music centre among the winners of additional architecture awards

A MUSIC centre at the University of St Andrews has been further recognised in awards run by the body representing architects in Scotland.

Last week, the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland announced that seven projects were winners of its annual awards (as reported here on placedesignscotland). And now, four of them have received an additional ‘special award’, for the categories: Client, Circular Economy, Best Use of Timber and Interior Design.

Says the RIAS, the Laidlaw Music Centre is the “first building dedicated to music in the university’s 600-year history”, adding: “Designed by Flanagan Lawrence, [the centre] creates new opportunities for young people – including students as well as those from the local community – to connect with the performing arts. The building contains an intimate performing venue, flexible rehearsal space, and a high-tech recording facility, and creates a new quadrangle as an extension of the historic St Mary’s Quadrangle – the oldest part of the university dating to the 16th century.”

Meanwhile, a family home in Argyllshire – called Hundred Acre Wood – has taken the special award for Interiors, the first time the RIAS has made such an award. It is being sponsored by Laurence McIntosh, bespoke joiners and furniture makers.

Says the RIAS: “Hundred Acre Wood was designed by Denizen Works as a large family home that would do justice to its setting within a stunning landscape overlooking Loch Awe. The design draws upon Scotland’s architectural heritage, and contains a series of striking and at times quirky interiors within its solid-looking exterior.”

The Circular Economy prize goes to Cuddymoss, ‘a house for a birdwatcher’, in Ayrshire, by Ann Nisbet Studio (here).

And the Timber award goes to Isle of Skye residence, Half of Eleven, by Dualchas Architect (here).

The seven form a longest from which a shortlist will be chosen to contest the ‘Scotland’s best building’ title for this year, aka the Andrew Doolan Award, announced in November.

Picture credit: Place Design Scotland

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