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RIBA Yorkshire Awards 2017

Stephen Marshall celebrates Yorkshire's special character as the region's 2017 RIBA award winners are announced

As a Mancunian living on the wrong side of the Pennines, it’s taken a good while for me to consider Yorkshire my home but, having now spent more than half of my life in ‘God’s own country’, I find it difficult to imagine living anywhere else. Along with most residents of Sheffield, I’ve always known that it’s a great place with beautiful open countryside within walking distance of the city centre. This is now officially recognised in Sheffield’s Outdoor City status, but for once this is more than a strapline as the branding does stand up to scrutiny.

I work on BDP projects throughout the UK as well as internationally and am involved in commissions across Yorkshire. I appreciate how places wish to be perceived as distinct and unique, which is increasingly challenging for urban centres with the oft criticised homogenised high streets. Harnessing the natural environment while working with the historic fabric helps us to create high quality open spaces as part of distinctive and beautiful places. I have also seen a shift in attitude in many local authorities, who are now working together in recognising that lifestyles are more mobile. Northern Powerhouse Rail could transform the way in which the northern cities function. 

I started my Sheffield life as a student and the practice continues to work closely with the university through a sponsored award scheme, while also being part of the School of Architecture’s Collaborative Practice initiative. This innovative scheme adds value to the student experience while in practice, as well as reducing the financial burden of higher education. I will be taking part in the university’s Big Walk in June, a fundraiser for the Sheffield Scanner, involving a 24 hour, 50 mile ‘stroll’ around the city and countryside – perhaps a bit too much ‘Outdoor City’ in one day but ‘it’ll be reight’, as they say.

Stephen Marshall is a director and head of housing at BDP Sheffield

 

RIBA Yorkshire Awards 2017 – The full list

Click on the images to find out more

Rievaulx Abbey Visitor Centre and Museum, Rievaulx

Simpson & Brown for English Heritage

 
Rievaulx Abbey Visitor Centre and Museum, Rievaulx  Simpson & Brown for English Heritage.
Rievaulx Abbey Visitor Centre and Museum, Rievaulx Simpson & Brown for English Heritage. Credit: Giles Rocholl

Victoria Gate Arcades, Leeds

ACME for Hammerson

 
Victoria Gate Arcades, Leeds  ACME for Hammerson.
Victoria Gate Arcades, Leeds ACME for Hammerson. Credit: Jack Hobhouse

Blackburn Meadows Biomass, Sheffield 

BDP with Race Cottam Associates for E.ON Energy

 
Blackburn Meadows Biomass, Sheffield,  BDP with Race Cottam Associates for E.ON Energy.
Blackburn Meadows Biomass, Sheffield, BDP with Race Cottam Associates for E.ON Energy. Credit: Paul Karalius

St Leonard’s Place, Retail Unit and Public Toilets, York

Mass Architecture for  Healthmatic

 
St Leonard’s Place, Retail Unit and Public Toilets, York Mass Architecture for  Healthmatic.
St Leonard’s Place, Retail Unit and Public Toilets, York Mass Architecture for Healthmatic. Credit: Duncan Lomax

Cunelands House, Malton

Tom Brooksbank Architect for private client

 
Cunelands House, Malton, Tom Brooksbank Architect for private client.
Cunelands House, Malton, Tom Brooksbank Architect for private client. Credit: Sieglinde Cassel

Wakefield Cathedral Reordering, Wakefield 

Thomas Ford & Partners for  Wakefield Cathedral

 
Wakefield Cathedral Reordering, Wakefield, Thomas Ford & Partners for  Wakefield Cathedral.
Wakefield Cathedral Reordering, Wakefield, Thomas Ford & Partners for Wakefield Cathedral.

Theatre Royal, York

De Matos Ryan for York Citizens Theatres Trust and York Conservation Trust

 
Theatre Royal, York, De Matos Ryan for York Citizens Theatres Trust and York Conservation Trust.
Theatre Royal, York, De Matos Ryan for York Citizens Theatres Trust and York Conservation Trust. Credit: Hufton+Crow

Derwenthorpe Phase One, York

Studio Partington for Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust

 
Derwenthorpe Phase One, York, Studio Partington for Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust.
Derwenthorpe Phase One, York, Studio Partington for Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust. Credit: Tim Crocker

M & S Foodhall, Northallerton

GT3 Architects for Jomast Developments

 
M & S Foodhall, Northallerton, GT3 Architects for Jomast Developments.
M & S Foodhall, Northallerton, GT3 Architects for Jomast Developments. Credit: Kristen McCluskie

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

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