May 28 2010

Malcolm Fraser Architects scooped top honours at this years Scottish Design Awards, an annual bash organised by Urban Realm to recognise the best in Scottish design. The well earned accolade came courtesy of their Scottish Ballet centre in Glasgow’s south side, proof that even in a downturn there is still much to make a song and dance about.

Putting in a vaudeville performance project architect Clive Albert was ecstatic with the win and states the building will only get better: “By using materials like wood, which mature with age, this building will look better in 20 years time than it does today,” he claimed.

The big surprise of the night however was reserved for a Groves-Raines Architects designed compost shed - which with a price of £22,000 could be the UK's most expensive, as well as the first to win a major architecture award. So captivated was awards chairman Roger Zogolovitch with this earthly pleasure he bestowed upon it his Chairman’s Award saying: “After a long afternoon looking at nominations this composting shed stood apart for its impulsive, attractive and seductive charms. It’s surely a joy to be in.”

Netting a Lifetime Achievement Award for services to architecture were the creative pairing of Dick Cannon and Tom Elder, two architects who possess a very particular appreciation of time and place but who also readily evolve ideas and materials to maintain the practices hard won position as a contemporary paragon, a position they've held since they first got together in 1980.

Graeme Massie architects meanwhile were named practice of the year, Established in 2004 the team have been quietly nurturing an international reputation for innovative architecture, evidenced by a series of studious yet flamboyant creations from hot property in Dubai to cool urban expansions in Iceland.
 
A full list of winners will be available at www.scottishdesignawards.com from Monday May 31.

A panel of judges chaired by Roger Zogolovitch of Solid Space Development Ltd included: Simon Allford, Allford Hall Monaghan Morris; Renato Benedetti McDowell+Benedetti; Professor David Dunster, University of Liverpool; Robert Kennett, Eric Parry Architects; Jim McKinney, Tony Fretton Architects; Gerry O'Brien, Adams Kara Taylor; Ernest Fasanya, Hopkins Architects; Jo Wright, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios & Michael Haste of Pascall & Watson Ltd.

The Scottish Design Awards 2010 are sponsored by Stirling Council, BRE, Elmwood, Glasgow City Council, Kingspan Benchmark, Professional Lighting Designers Association, Buro Happold, Historic Scotland, Service Graphics, Eastern Exhibition, Highland Colour Coaters and Family.

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