Isles architects celebrate Saltire award success

A Shetland architectural firm has triumphed in the prestigious national Saltire Housing Awards.

Richard Gibson Architects Ltd received an award in the small scale housing development category for Da Vadill, the distinctive, curving flats development at Grantfield in Lerwick for Hjaltland Housing Association and a commendation in the large scale housing development category for the Grödians scheme at Quoys in Lerwick, also for Hjaltland Housing Association.

Both projects were winners in the Inverness Architectural Association Awards (Northern Isles) in July.

The 75th Saltire awards, which received the largest submission in their history, were presented today in Edinburgh by housing and transport minister Keith Brown.

Judging panel convener Jane Paterson said: “The 2012 awards are widely spread geographically and I am very encouraged that high quality architecture, engaged clients and willing contractors exist in so many different locations throughout Scotland. This year has been a particularly rewarding experience for members of the judging panel who have had the opportunity to visit some of the Scotland’s best homes.”

From a diverse shortlist of projects – described by guest chairman Dick Cannon as “beautifully conceived and executed” – the judging panel gave awards to 14 projects and commended a further four.

The full results were as follows:

Large Scale Housing Development – Westfield Avenue, Edinburgh (7N Architects with Make Architects)
Small Scale Housing Development – Da Vadill, Grantfield, Lerwick, Shetland (Richard Gibson Architects Ltd); Fore Street, Whiteinch & Scotstoun, Glasgow (Hypostyle Architects)
Private Dwelling, New Build – House in Boreraig, Duirinish, Isle of Skye (Dualchas Architects); The Edge, Sandyhills, Dumfries & Galloway (Carole Naylor & John Chesbrough); The “Model D” House, Insch, Aberdeenshire (Gokay Deveci Chartered Architect)
Alterations, Renovations and Extensions – Kirk House, Garve, Ross-shire (Dualchas Architects); Ackling Cook Bothy, Ettrick Valley (Reiach and Hall Architects); Wormit Extension, Wormit, Fife (WT Architecture); Cape Cove, Shore Road, Helensburgh (Cameron Webster Architects); Ledcameroch Road, Bearsden (Studio KAP); 4 Linsiadar, Uig, Isle of Lewis (Studio KAP); Bogbain Mill, Loch Ussie (Rural Design); House in Roslin, Chapel Loan, Roslin (Reiach and Hall Architects)
2012 Saltire Medal: Dualchas Architects, Isle of Skye
2012 Innovation in Housing Award: R-House, Drynoch, Isle of Skye (Rural Design)

Commended: Large Scale Housing Development – Grödians, Quoys, Lerwick  (Hjaltland Housing Association); Park View, 7-21 Golspie Street, Glasgow (DO Architecture)
Private Dwelling, New Build – Marlaw, Sprinkell Avenue, Pollockshields (Gareth Hoskins Architects); Promenade House, Musselburgh (Wiszniewski Thomson Architects).