Research plays an integral role in the evolution of architecture. To celebrate it’s importance and acknowledge outstanding research currently happening within the field of architecture throughout the UK, The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the winners of the RIBA President’s Awards for Research.
RIBA President Angela Brady said: “The RIBA President’s Awards for Research highlight and reward the outstanding research in architecture that is taking place across the country. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, your research is hugely appreciated and highly valued across the profession. Research into architecture provides a lasting legacy to all in the profession and reminds us of the importance of innovation and strategic thinking in our everyday work.”
The RIBA President’s Awards for Research, presented in four categories, were awarded to:
RIBA President’s Award for Outstanding Master’s Degree Thesis Amy Thomas of the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL for her thesis ”Mart of the World: An architectural and geographical history of the London Stock Exchange’
“A convincing and thorough piece of research which persuasively examines the financial and institutional practices which shaped and were in turn shaped by the architecture of the successive homes of the London Stock Exchange, demonstrating a breadth of knowledge exceptional for an MA student.”
RIBA President’s Award for Outstanding PhD Thesis Steve Parnell of the University of Sheffield for his thesis ‘Architectural Design, 1954 – 1972 : The contribution of the architectural magazine to the writing of architectural history’
“A very well-written and intriguing PhD, this is not simply an historical account of an extraordinary period of post-war architecture and its publication in Architectural Design Magazine, but also an ambitious and scholarly exploration of architectural journalism as critical method.”
RIBA President’s Awards for Outstanding University-located Research Harry Charrington of the University of Bath for his book ‘Alvar Aalto: Conversations with the atelier’
“An extraordinary, tantalising and rigorous study of Alvar Aalto, the mystical character behind the works, and the adventure of designing in this self-conscious studio.”
RIBA President’s Awards for Outstanding Practice-located Research Alastair Parvin and David Saxby of Architecture 00:/ in collaboration with Cristina Cerulli and Tatjana Schneider of the University of Sheffield: ‘A Right to Build’
“Original and refreshing, this publication on self-provided housing opens up and carefully examines the ideas and facts we rarely question; this is the stuff of true architectural research.”
Chair of the Judging Panel, Greg Penoyre of Penoyre & Prasad, said: ”We are always keen to encourage entries from practice, and this year’s shortlist demonstrated the high standard and diverse subject matter and scope of research in practice, making for challenging judging.
Significantly, in a number of cases the practice-located and university-located research categories had overlaps in terms of funding and resource, which suggests the positive integration and collaboration between practice and academia, and further reinforces the strong relationship between design and research.
The panel read a fascinating set of submissions across a broad range of research topics. In its first year the Masters category was particularly rewarding and I’m looking forward to seeing this exciting award develop in the future.”
2012 RIBA Presidents Awards for Research Jury:
- Greg Penoyre (Chair) – Penoyre & Prasad
- Gerry Adler – Kent School of Architecture
- Cany Ash – Ash Sakula
- Barnabas Calder – University of Strathclyde
- Jonathan Hale – University of Nottingham
- Ruth Morrow – Queens University Belfast
- Doina Petrescu – University of Sheffield
- Adam Sharr – University of Newcastle
- Bob Sheil – The Bartlett School of Architecture
- Cindy Walters – Walters and Cohen
- Andrew Waugh – Waugh Thistleton
