The RIBA Journal is honoured to be partner­ing Architects for Health on an important new writing prize: one aimed specifically at encouraging new design thinking in the health sector, and open to all. Thanks to a bequest from the estate of architect Phil ­Gusack, the winner will receive a £500 prize.
Beyond our search for fresh ideas, as outlined by Susan Francis of AfH right, we shall of course also look for concise, well-crafted writing that stimulates interest and holds the attention. This is an area of design that affects everybody, often at our most vulnerable: what ideas can you contribute to help our – and your – experience in the future? 

Phil Gusack Essay Prize

We are launching the Phil Gusack Essay Prize this year as his family’s memorial to AFH member Phil Gusack who died in 2009 after some years of ill health. Phil was an active member of AfH with a passion for architecture, believed strongly in disruptive innovation and excellence, and was challenging and inventive in debate. This generous legacy funds an annual prize for the best essay on the architecture of health. The prize is open to everyone including students, professionals and journalists. 

The Brief

The essay must relate to the architecture of health. The topic should explore a fresh and provocative perspective that addresses the context of the architecture of health. It should demonstrate how good design for health can and should happen without the essay being a survey, a descriptive process or a building study. Participants will be asked to register and submit an essay which has not been previously published with an upper word limit of 2000 words. 

The Prize

There will be two prizes – winner and runner up. The prize money for the winner will be £500 and this essay will be published in the RIBA Journal. The prizes will be awarded at an AfH member event in November 2014.

The Jury

John Allan Architect and writer
John Cooper Chair AfH
Susan Francis Programme director AfH
Dr Iona Heath Former president RCGP
Hugh Pearman Editor RIBAJ media partner

Terms and conditions

Entries should not exceed 2,000 words and must be emailed no later than 1 September 2014 to ­essayprize@architectsforhealth.com. People of all ages are invited to submit and the essays should be wholly the work of the person submitting them.