Winning architect announced in York’s historic Guildhall and riverside competition

A London based architect has unanimously been voted as the winner of City of York Council and the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) open ideas competition, which could help to shape the future of York’s historic Guildhall and riverside complex.

The Jury Panel, chaired by RIBA adviser Keith Williams, voted Rob Loader Architects’ design as the concept which best responded to the aspirations of the city, in offering scope for the creation of jobs and the growth of the local economy. A key element of the design is the attractive public space and its marriage between the riverside and the Guildhall, combining historic and modern architecture.

A model of the winning design will now be on show in York Explore Library Learning Centre this week, enabling visitors and residents to have the opportunity to see a 3D model.

Cllr Julie Gunnell, Cabinet Member of Corporate Services, said: “I’d like to thank all of the architects who submitted their designs and York Boats and York Civic Trust who have supported the competition as key stakeholders and sponsors.

“We received huge interest in this competition and received entries as far afield Russia, Malaysia and Vietnam, which cemented the reputation of how important and unique our city’s historic Guildhall is across the world.

“We’re delighted to announce that Rob Loader Architects’ won the design competition, which was the favourite amongst the general public and stakeholders. This has been really useful in exploring potential future designs for the site.

“The next steps will be to develop deliverable options for the use of the Guildhall and explore how we can use the creative outcomes of the competition to inform future plans for this iconic site. This work will proceed in the new year.”

Keith Williams, Jury Panel Chair said on behalf of the Jury Panel “After a long and carefully deliberated day long session which included detailed presentation and discussion with the individual architects of each proposal, the jury panel was unanimous in choosing the winning concept.

“The winner addresses most clearly of all those shortlisted the aspirations of the city of York – in offering scope for the creation of jobs and the growth of the local economy; in promising an attractive public space providing a new connection between river and city; in its sustainability; finally, in its marriage of new and old, combining new design with respect for the historic context.”

Rob Loader Architects said “The study area for the York Riverside Competition contains a rich architectural history and a variety of spatial qualities, and these winning proposals by James Decent, Joseph Little and Robert Loader create an accessible and attractive public riverside.

“We look forward to working with the City of York, investors and the community to contribute to the regeneration of York’s principal mediaeval arrival point at St Leonard’s Landing, enhancing the historic network of pedestrian snickelways and creating new activities in this highly visible and significant location.”

Brian Clarke, managing director of Yorkboat said, “Congratulations to Rob Loader Architects for their winning design. This competition was a great way to get new ideas particularly for this important part of the city. Yorkboat is delighted to be both a sponsor and a partner in this initiative.”

Entries sought were from architects putting forward innovative ideas on how the potential of the Guildhall site and riverside could be maximised for the benefit of the city and its residents.

York Boat and the Civic Trust sponsored the competition and will be offering the winning candidates the following cash prizes:

·1st Place and £5,000: Robert Loader Architect, London

·Joint 2nd Place and £2,500: Jak Studio, London; Nicholas Mills Architect, Edinburgh

· Runners up and £1,000: SEC JV Architects, Cumbria; Architecture & Urbanism Studio, London

For more details about the competition please visit: www.architecture.com/competitions



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