Nord win Andrew Doolan Award with Wasps South Block
November 7 2013
Their decision nets Nord a custom cast gold medal in addition to a cheque for £25k, the highest remuneration of any UK architectural award.
In their citation the judges wrote: “This building points towards an architecture of humanity rather than show. It defines a new set of principles where the architect is, above all, the orchestrator of spatial constructs that offer opportunities for a life lived with greater social sympathy. The building is peppered with moments of generosity that delight and enchant. Whether NORD Architecture is seen as interpreters of their client’s visions or as curators of atmospheric working, this building is an architectural gift worth emulating.
“NORD has crafted and choreographed the renovation of this existing building with extraordinary rigour. With great sensitivity and the slimmest of budgets, the architects have produced a specific environment for creative industries. Normally office buildings speak of generic environments. Here, within a tailored set of spaces, interaction and the promise of collaboration is easy to imagine.”
In addition to the main winner five projects were singled out for a special mention; namely Simpson & Brown’s Chapel of St Albert the Great; Reiach & Hall’s Stirling campus for Forth Valley College; Edo Architecture’s Ghost of Water Row; Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects Sir Duncan Rice Library and Patience and Highmore for the Thomas Telford Parliamentary Church.
Father Dermot Morrin also received an inaugural client award for his role in commissioning the Chapel of St Albert the Great.
This year’s judging panel included Karen Anderson, chair of Architecture and Design Scotland, Christophe Egret of Studio Egret West and Indira Van’t Klooster, editor of A10 Magazine, with Professor Andy MacMillan reprising his role as chair.
Wasps South Block images provided by Dapple Photography
9 Comments
#1 Posted by Schmoolan on 7 Nov 2013 at 20:54 PM
...seriously?
#2 Posted by John Smith on 8 Nov 2013 at 11:13 AM
An utterly bizarre decision. Hope the foundations of the Parliament were able to withstand the impact of 200 jaws dropping when the announcement was made...
#3 Posted by bee on 8 Nov 2013 at 13:17 PM
less really IS more!..
#4 Posted by Sam S. on 8 Nov 2013 at 14:37 PM
Talented lot these NORD boys. A surprise result maybe but nice to see a considered and unpretentious (and STAGGERINGLY cheap) building get recognised.
#5 Posted by Bob on 8 Nov 2013 at 17:57 PM
£25K ! Surley thats double what was spent on the building !
I was in the other week and was wondering when it was due a refurb
I was in the other week and was wondering when it was due a refurb
#6 Posted by Ian Nairn Jr on 11 Nov 2013 at 09:10 AM
As interior design projects go, it's very nice indeed.
#7 Posted by Ooctopus on 11 Nov 2013 at 15:15 PM
Perhaps the most depressing and pathetic comments UR have graced us with for some time.
Congratulations to the team at NORD for a stunning job and a bit of intellectual rigour head and shoulders above the average Urban Realm commentator.
Congratulations to the team at NORD for a stunning job and a bit of intellectual rigour head and shoulders above the average Urban Realm commentator.
#8 Posted by David on 12 Nov 2013 at 13:36 PM
Calm down Ooctopus, and stop exxagerating. It's a nice piece of work, but some of the comments ring true. Perhaps worthy of an interior design award instead.
#9 Posted by stephen on 14 Nov 2013 at 12:19 PM
'Interior Design' gets used a lot as a pejorative and seems to be getting used as such against NORD here. Firstly a top class interior design job ought to be allowed to win the Doolan Award if it's good enough and secondly the WASPS building isn't 'just' interior design. Clearly those who label it as such in order to belittle it don't know the scheme. I'd sooner trust a jury chaired by Andy MacMillan than the trolls on Urban Realm.
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