Scottish Design Awards

Schmidt Hammer Lassen designed a new library building for the University of Aberdeen campus in Aberdeen, Scotland. Photo: Adam Moerk

The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS has announced 12 winners of its RIAS Awards for 2013. In addition to winners in its main awards section, as it continues to evolve the program, RIAS also announced three new sponsored topical subcategories for use of timber, for sustainability, and for resource efficiency.

The RIAS Awards 2013 winners are:

Photo:  Paul Zanre Photography

The Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock, Scotland
LDN Architects
Client: Greenock Arts Guild

"This building seems wholly appropriate for its superb waterside setting. It is elegantly contemporary in its materials and form, both open and welcoming.

Photo: Chris Humphreys

The Chapel of Saint Albert the Great, Edinburgh, Scotland
Simpson & Brown Architects
Client: The Order of Preachers

"This building is markedly different from the historic property to which it is attached. However this is a supremely elegant and attractive solution, a place of worship that invites visitors in.

Photo: Andrew Beveridge

Dunfermline High School, Dunfermline , Scotland
Fife Council Property Services
Client: Fife Council Education Service

"The sheer scale of this major new secondary school demanded a simple, navigable plan and separation of facilities. This is well achieved with materials and art enhancing the daily experience of its users.

Recipient, Award for Resource Efficiency

Photo: Dave Morris

Forth Valley College of Further and Higher Education, Stirling, Scotland
Reiach and Hall Architects
Client: Forth Valley College of Further and Higher Education

"This is a deceptively simple contemporary building within an expansive landscape setting, incorporating workshops, studios, classrooms, a library and social spaces with elegant understatement.

Photo: Tom Manley

Ghost of Water Row
Edo Architecture
Client: Edo Architecture

"This project was architecture as installation art. Commemorating the late sculptor, George Wyllie Hon FRIAS, it was a powerful evocation of local history while also signalling a creative future.

Photo: Andrew Lee

House, Lenzie, Scotland
cameronwebster architects
Client: Ms Marion Venman

"This reworking of a 1970s house creates a new relationship with the building's site, with contemporary, yet timeless, materials and form.

Photo: Keith Hunter

4 Linsiadar, Isle of Lewis, Scotland
studioKAP
Client: Ms Margrit Macleod

"Built out of a former croft, this new home has a rugged, almost natural, presence within the island landscape. Drawing upon history, this building also very positively signals its newness.

Photo: Phatsheep Photography

Mareel, Lerwick, Scotland
Gareth Hoskins Architects
Client: Shetland Arts Development Agency

"Set on an historic waterfront site, this is an important cultural facility. This building embraces theatre, cinema and performance, reflecting and encouraging creativity.

Photo: Adam Moerk

The Sir Duncan Rice Library, Aberdeen, Scotland
Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects
Area: 15,500 square meters (167,000 square feet)
Client: University of Aberdeen
Dates: Construction period 2009 - 2011
Engineer: Arup & Partners Ltd
Quantity Surveyors: Davis Langdon LLP, Landscape

"This is a contemporary international structure within one of Scotland's most important historic settings. Its internal arrangement cleverly challenges preconceived notions of "the library".

Photo: Derek Patience

Thomas Telford Parliamentary Church, Berneray, Scotland
Patience & Highmore Architects
Client: Keith and Sheenagh McIntyre

"This simplest and plainest of stone built structures encloses a marvellous new home. The layout of the interior and the way natural light is brought into every area is ingenious.

Photo: Nigel Rigden

The Turf House, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Rural Design
Client: Indi and Rebecca Waterstone

"The new Skye vernacular, timber-clad homes in the landscape, is here taken to a new level. This is architecture of a relatively modest scale, but significant ambition.

Photo: Dapple Photography

WASPS South Block, Glasgow, Scotland
NORD Architecture
Client: Wasps Creative Industries CIC

"Adapting a behemoth Victorian city block into new studios, gallery space and visitor facilities is crisply and ingeniously achieved. An intelligent and appropriate facility within a very creative city.

Recipient, Award for Conservation and Climate Change 

Abbotsford Visitor Reception Building, Melrose, Scotland
LDN Architects
Client: Abbotsford Trust
Award for the Best Use of Timber

The shortlist for the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award comprises of all of the RIAS 2013 winners. The award will be presented November 7, 2013 at the Scottish Parliament.

The jury included RIAS President Iain Connelly, Dr Joyce Deans CBE PPRIAS, Lori McElroy MBE, Kathy Li of the Mackintosh School of Architecture and Roger Stephenson OBE, representing the Royal Institute of British Architects.