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Winners announced as Richard Rose-Casemore extols outstanding work and supportive planners

While these awards reflect the geography of the project rather than the firm, it is always satisfying to see outstanding work completed in the region by its own practices. Credit also goes to local planning authorities, prepared to support challenging designs often against local resistance and always against depleted resources.  

RIBA South is blessed with numerous multi award-winning practices which produce a consistent quality of work at all scales and across all sectors. The area has architects of high pedigree and experience both from the UK and overseas and in this time of Brexit uncertainty and election fever, it is reassuring to find common ground with like-minded EU colleagues who share a passion for their craft.

This is a chance to reflect on the year’s achievements and celebrate the best of this work. Private houses again represent a high proportion of the buildings on the shortlist, but are often sadly out of bounds for casual inspection. One of the hangovers from PPS7, in the current NPPF Paragraph 55 criteria, is the notion that the ‘exceptional quality or innovative nature of the design’ should be used to educate and raise standards locally, so whether the route to planning consent is via Para 55 or more straightforward means, open houses should be encouraged. Twice a chair of RIBA juries, I consider the annual shortlisting and visits a privilege; particularly when they involve access to projects which are generally inaccessible. The process is always educational and the dynamic stimulating – whatever the expertise, background and make-up of the jury, consensus is always reached through thoughtful discussion and argument.

A fledgling practice ourselves a mere 17 years ago, Design Engine Architects is now 40 strong and has added to the architectural family tree with successful offshoots of its own. In a world of delicately balanced collaboration, co-operation and competition, we always try to support young practices and enjoy watching them grow in size and reputation.

Richard Rose-Casemore is a founding director of Design Engine Architects.


RIBA South Awards 2017 – The full list

Click on images to find out more

 

University of Winchester Winton Chapel, Winchester

Design Engine Architects

University of Winchester Winton Chapel by Design Engine Architects.
University of Winchester Winton Chapel by Design Engine Architects. Credit: Peter Blundy

Barns Road, Cowley, Oxford

Allford Hall Monaghan Morris

Barns Road by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris.
Barns Road by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. Credit: Rob Parrish

Magdalen College Library, Oxford

Wright & Wright Architects

Magdalen College Library by Wright & Wright Architects.
Magdalen College Library by Wright & Wright Architects. Credit: Dennis Gilbert

The Berrow Foundation Building and New Garden Building, Lincoln College, Oxford

Stanton Williams and Rodney Melville & Partners

The Berrow Foundation Building and New Garden Building. by Stanton Williams and Rodney Melville & Partners.
The Berrow Foundation Building and New Garden Building. by Stanton Williams and Rodney Melville & Partners. Credit: Jack Hobhouse

The Point, Tadley

Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt

The Point by Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt.
The Point by Ayre Chamberlain Gaunt. Credit: Hufton+Crow

Incurvo, Goring

Adrian James Architects

Incurvo by Adrian James Architects.
Incurvo by Adrian James Architects. Credit: David Fisher

Bedales School of Art & Design Building, Petersfield

Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios

Bedales School of Art & Design Building by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios.
Bedales School of Art & Design Building by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios. Credit: Matthew Rice

Private House, Ipsden, Oxfordshire

Richard Meier & Partners Architects

Private House by Richard Meier & Partners Architects with Berman Guedes Stretton.
Private House by Richard Meier & Partners Architects with Berman Guedes Stretton. Credit: Nick Hufton

Warwick Hall Community Centre, Burford

Acanthus Clews Architects

Warwick Hall Community Centre by Acanthus Clews Architects.
Warwick Hall Community Centre by Acanthus Clews Architects. Credit: Andy Marshall

The next RIBA Regional Awards will be announced on Tuesday 30 May from 11pm at www.ribaj.com.

 

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