EAA Exhibition 2007, Annual Awards for Architecture

EAA Exhibition 2007: Annual Awards for Architecture

Edinburgh Architectural Association: Awards, Edinburgh

EAA Awards Exhibition 2007

An exhibition of all short listed projects from the EAA Awards, earlier this year, will be held at 15 Rutland Square, Edinburgh from 2nd to 25th October.

The EAA Awards continue to be well supported by chapter members and practices across Scotland. This year the judges received 25 submissions for the three main categories of award – Building of the Year; Regeneration/Conservation and Small Projects. A broad selection of building types were represented from small domestic to larger residential, educational and commercial projects covering the work of sole practitioners, medium sized and large practices.

The geographical spread of the projects also epitomised the breadth of the chapter area stretching from Fife through Edinburgh, East Lothian and the Borders. Each project demonstrated a different, but architecturally meritorious, approach to the delivery of competent, engaging, and at times delightful buildings. Complex briefs were handled diligently and lightly while simpler briefs were crafted to maximise specifics of contextualtiy.

The judging was no easy matter and was assisted this year by Stuart Greig, a BAFTA award winning film maker whose recent projects include ‘The Holyrood Files’ and ‘The Gathering Place’ which document the building of the Scottish Parliament. The judging took place over two days when each shortlisted project was visited prior to the judges meeting. Awards were made in all three categories with further commendations in two of the categories. The Centenary Medal was not awarded this year.

Ken Lochrie, President, Edinburgh Architectural Association.

From conception to completion of a new building or a new film project, there are many similarities between the role of the architect and the film director. We are there at the beginning and hanging on by the fingertips at very end, suffering and sweating nervously between the two. On delivery, one can expect praise, indifference or vilification.

The end game leaves most of us mentally and physically exhausted, and unable to assess accurately the results of our finished product. It can take an open mind and a fresh and dispassionate eye to assess and judge the efforts of others, but it has to be done with great care and intellectual rigour. Judging is a difficult and challenging job.

Being the lay member of the jury I relied heavily on the help and guidance from the other professional members, and I sincerely believe we satisfied the above criteria. It was a very rewarding experience and for once I was on the outside looking in. But now it’s back to work, suffering and sweating in an effort to deliver another film – you have my blessing – you can all be judge and jury!

Stuart Greig, Producer / Director, Film Speed Ltd

EAA Awards Exhibition open Mon to Fri 9 – 5pm