Exhibition Road Quarter awarded Cultural Project of the Year and Sky Central awarded Workplace of the Year
December 8 2017The V&A Exhibition Road Quarter has been awarded Cultural Project of the Year at the first AJ Architecture Awards.
The judges commended the navigation of the internal spaces, the world-class facilities and the way the courtyard reorientates the museum’s relationship to the city, with the courtyard and cafe open outside of museum hours, ‘tying in the V&A to the other museums and being very beneficial to the neighbourhood. ‘Elegant and beautiful’ craftsmanship and internal detailing were picked out, with elements such as the new staircases described as ‘majestic’. The judges concluded: ‘This project has been showered with care and attention to detail … it really is uplifting.’
The other finalists in the category were:
- Liverpool’s Royal Court by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
- Making History at St Fagans, Main Building Redevelopment by Purcell
- Mathematics: The Winton Gallery by Zaha Hadid Architects
- Oldham Town Hall by BDP
- The Bush Theatre by Haworth Tompkins
Additionally Sky Central, designed by AL_A, PLP Architecture and Hassell, has been awarded Workplace of the Year.
The judges commented: “It’s an exemplar. It’s about changing the way people work. They’ve put health and wellness at the forefront. The building isn’t instructive – everyone can find their place. It’s humanistic.’
The category’s other finalists were:
- Alex Monroe Jewellery Workshop by DSDHA
- Ansdell Street by Studio Seilern Architects
- Google Pancras Square by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
- New Scotland Yard by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris
- St James’s Market by Make Architects
- Thirty Broadwick by Emrys Architects
Images: Jade Glover via The Architect’s Journal and Hufton+Crow