The National Trust has been named the 2013 RIBA Client of the Year, an award that honours the key role that a good client plays in the creation of fine architecture.
The RIBA writes:
The judges consider clients of the 2013 RIBA award-winning schemes and take into account a track record of previous successful commissioning, particularly where this has led to previous RIBA awards.
The National Trust has commissioned a formidable portfolio of projects including Chedworth Roman Villa by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Giant’s Causeway by heneghan peng architects and Stowe Visitor Centre by Cowper Griffith Architects. The judges remarked on the ‘enlightened approach that has informed a series of previous award-winning projects, not least Heelis, its own 2006 headquarters building.’
Philip Gumuchdjian, acting Chair of the RIBA Awards Group said: ‘Good patronage is the single most important influence on the quality of our built heritage. The National Trust have won the 2013 Client of the Year Award because of the way they create the heritage of the future while protecting the heritage of the past, making special places even more special. They commission talented, innovative, and often young practices to develop practical and beautiful projects that respond and add to the quality, enjoyment and appreciation of our stock of cultural and environmental wealth. It takes a great and courageous client to deliver a great building and the Trust have proven their worth time and again.’
The announcement was made at the RIBA Stirling Prize 2013 event at Central Saint Martins in London. The award was judged by architects Julia Barfield, Philip Gumuchdjian and Tony Chapman, Head of RIBA Awards.
Also shortlisted for the award were:
- Hampshire County Council for Runway’s End Outdoor Centre by Hampshire County Council Property Services
- Linden Homes/Galliford Try for Newhall Be by Alison Brooks Architects
- Manchester Metropolitan University for MMU Business School by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
The National Trust writes:
Our award was collected by Simon Jenkins at the prestigious RIBA Stirling event on 26 September 2013 in London at Central Saint Martins.
Simon Jenkins, our Chairman said: ‘Over the years National Trust have had the opportunity to commission some really outstanding buildings and is grateful to have worked with such talented designers.
‘We are delighted to win this prestigious award for three of our key buildings and credit must go to the associated architects and design teams, for their inspirational creations.’??The Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre was nominated by Dublin based architects, heneghan peng. Roisin Henegan, Director of Heneghan Peng architects said: ‘There is something very special about working with the National Trust and we were delighted to be chosen as the architects for this prestigious new centre.
‘We were asked to design a special place, to sit seamlessly within the landscape, and to welcome visitors to Northern Ireland’s only World Heritage Site. Working closely with the conservation charity the project successfully came to fruition with the opening of the new Visitor Centre in July 2012. I am very proud to have been part of this exciting and vibrant development for the Giant’s Causeway.’
National Trust Article: LINK
RIBA News: LINK
