Award win for designer of £16m theatre revamp
The architect behind the transformation of Perth Theatre has just won a major design competition - for his own home.
Richard Murphy drew up plans for a five-storey des-res for himself in Edinburgh and the completed project built won RIBA House of the Year 2016 at the annual awards on December 15.
The RIBA House of the Year is awarded to the best new house designed by an architect in the UK and celebrates excellence in housing design.
Mr Murphy’s winning home design featured ladders and sliding walls to help it respond to the Scottish climate, opening up to the summer sun and then shutting itself down to create a snug refuge in winter.
He described it as “a quarter Soane, a quarter Scarpa, a quarter eco-house and a quarter Wallace and Gromit” - sharing design elements like those adored by the animated heroes created by Nick Park, referring to the various ingenious devices in the house.
RIBA president Jane Duncan said: “The Murphy House is this year’s best example of how to overcome challenging constraints – from planning restrictions and an awkward site in an urban location - to build a stunning house. Plus the architect overcame one of the biggest obstacles: a demanding client – himself!”
Richard Murphy Architects has been engaged to turn Perth’s Edwardian theatre into a modern visitor attraction worthy of Perth’s City of Culture bid 2021.
The keystone Fair City project, with a new main entrance from Mill Street and a direct connecting route to Perth Concert Hall, will cost £16.6m and is due to open late in 2017.
Perth Theatre closed in January 2014 following the seasonal panto and festive events. Funding for the Transform Perth Theatre revamp and extension has come from a number of sources, including Creative Scotland, the Gannochy Trust, Perth and Kinross Council, and Heritage Lottery Fund.
Richard Murphy’s house in Edinburgh