A social housing scheme in Essex and an eco community centre in Cambridgeshire are among twelve buildings to win one of this year’s RIBA East Awards from the Royal Institute of British Architects, in recognition of their architectural excellence and contribution to society.

The East of England buildings that have won an RIBA East Award 2016 are:

Bedfordshire

1. St Bede’s Extra Care, Bedford,by PRP, Thames Ditton
2. The Quarry Theatre at St Luke’s, Bedford School, Bedford, by Foster Wilson Architects, London

Cambridgeshire

1. 51 Hills Road, Cambridge, by Gort Scott, London
2. Cripps Building, St John’s College, Cambridge, by R H Partnership Architects, Cambridge
3. Gamlingay Eco Hub, Cambridgeshire,by civic Architects Ltd, London

Essex

1. Albert Sloman Library and Silberrad Student Centre, University of Essex, Colchesterby Patel Taylor, London
2. Derry Avenue, South Ockendon, by Bell Phillips Architects, London
3. The Avenue, Saffron Walden, by Pollard Thomas Edwards, London

Hertfordshire

1. New QEII Hospital, Welwyn Garden City, by Penoyre & Prasad LLP

Norfolk

1. Boardman House (School of Architecture), Norwich University of the Arts, Norwich, by Hudson Architects, Norwich
2. Bob Champion Research and Education Building, UEA, Norwich, by HawkinsBrown, London
3. Westlegate House, Norwich, by 5^th Studio, Cambridge

From the 12 regional award winners, a number of special awards have also been announced.

The ultimate accolade of RIBA East Building of the Year 2016, sponsored by Marley Eternit, has been awarded to Albert Sloman Library and Silberrad Student Centre, University of Essex, in Colchester, by Patel Taylor.

Derry Avenue by Bell Phillips Architects picked up two special awards, the RIBA East Architect of the Year sponsored by Tarmac and the client Thurrock Council Housing Department was named the RIBA East Client of the Year, sponsored by ET Clay Products.

The RIBA East Conservation Award, sponsored by Historic England was awarded to the Cripps Building, St John’s College, Cambridge, by Cambridge-based R H Partnership Architects.

The RIBA East Sustainability Award, sponsored by Sika went to the New QEII Hospital, Welwyn Garden City, by London architects Penoyre & Prasad LLP.

Last but not least, a special mention went to Gamlingay Eco Hub, by civic Architects Ltd for its outstanding contribution to the local community.

The Awards were presented at an awards ceremony at St John’s College, Cambridge this evening (Thursday 14 April 2016), hosted by RIBA Chief Executive Alan Vallance and RIBA East Awards Jury Chairman Peter Williams of Moses Cameron Williams Architects.

Speaking today, RIBA East Chairman Nicolas Tye said:

“The RIBA East Awards are a fantastic celebration of the inspiring architecture that the region has to offer.  The diversity of these projects and the extraordinary quality of the 25 schemes that were shortlisted says a lot for the creativity and skill of the current generation of architects here in the UK. These awards demonstrate that by engaging with an architect, clients can achieve tremendous buildings that improve our communities, enhance people’s lives and are very good value for money.”

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 Notes to editors:

1. For further press information, including access to press images of the winning buildings and judges citations contact:  john.mcmenemy@riba.org  01223 566285 or louise.todd@riba.org  07501 466644.
2. Winners of the RIBA East Awards will go forward as contenders for the RIBA National Awards, the winners of which will be announced on 23 June 2016. Winners of RIBA National Awards are then considered for the RIBA Stirling Prize, announced in October.
3. The RIBA East Special Awards are sponsored by ET Clay Products, Heritage Clay Tiles, Historic England, Marley Eternit, Sika and Tarmac.
4. RIBA Awards have been running continuously since 1966 and are judged and presented locally.  No matter the shape, size, budget or location, RIBA award winning schemes set the standard for great architecture all across the country. RIBA awards are for buildings in the UK by RIBA Chartered Architects and RIBA International Fellows.
5. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members. www.architecture.com and @RIBA on Twitter.

Posted on Thursday 14th April 2016