Hoskins Architects鈥� extension and upgrade of 19th-century landmark wins 2021 Doolan Award
Hoskins Architects has won Scotland鈥檚 biggest architectural prize for its decade-long extension and upgrade of Aberdeen Art Gallery.
The project at the 19th-century category A-listed building created new exhibition and education spaces and introduced a dramatic copper-clad roof among a series of striking contemporary interventions.
Doolan Award judges said that as part of the process the building鈥檚 services and environmental performance had been thoroughly upgraded and the gallery鈥檚 art handling, storage and back-of-house facilities revitalised.
Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland president Christina Gaiger said the gallery was an 鈥渙utstanding building鈥� that had been upgraded in a way that preserved its special character and grandeur.
鈥淗oskins Architects have brought a piece of Scottish heritage into the 21st century with humility, skill and sensitivity,鈥� she said.
鈥淚n the face of the climate emergency, how we upgrade, respect and adapt our existing building stock is absolutely crucial.
鈥淚n Aberdeen Art Gallery we have an outstanding example of how a public building, thanks to the talent of Hoskins Architects and far-sighted clients Aberdeen City Council, exemplifies the smart re-use of an existing building, as part of a collective regenerative response to climate change.鈥�
The gallery beat the Bayes Centre by Bennetts Associates; the Egg Shed by Oliver Chapman Architects; the Hill House Box by Carmody Groarke, which protects Charles Rennie Mackintosh鈥檚 Helensborough masterpiece; and Sport Scotland National Sports Training Centre at Inverclyde by Reiach and Hall Architects.
Hoskins Architects director Chris Coleman-Smith said the practice was 鈥渢hrilled鈥� to have won.
鈥漌e鈥檙e privileged to have a talented team and exceptional client in Aberdeen City Council,鈥� he said.
鈥淭his special award is testament to the effort and commitment from the many people involved in the design and delivery of this fantastic project throughout the years.鈥�
In addition to the 拢10,000 prize, the Doolan Award winner receives the RIAS Gold Medal.
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