Awards celebrate some of Wales’ finest buildings
THE buildings in Wales shortlisted for a prestigious architecture award have been announced.
The National Eisteddfod of Wales’ Gold Medal for Architecture recognises important buildings and the architects who made them.
Cletwr shop and café near Machynlleth, Vila Mir at Abergavenny. Swansea’s Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Yr Ysgwrn, Trawsfynydd and St David’s Hospice In-patients Unit at Newport were announced as potential contenders at a reception at The Exchange Hotel, Cardiff.
Supported by the Design Commission for Wales, and awarded in association with the Royal Society of Architects in Wales, the Gold Medal for Architecture recognises the importance of architecture in the nation’s culture and honours architects achieving the highest design standards.
The shortlist was drawn up by selectors and architects Kay Hyde and Alun Jones.
After further deliberation, one of the shortlisted buildings may be awarded the Gold Medal for Architecture on August 4 at the National Eisteddfod of Wales held in Cardiff.
It is awarded to buildings completed between 1 January 2015 and 1 March 2018.
The full shortlist is:
■ Cletwr, Tre’r ddôl
Described as a community-run shop, cafe and community hub with a flexible meeting space.
The original shop and café was built by a local family in the 1960s as part of a petrol station, which closed in 2010.
Three years later local volunteers decided to resurrect the building and set up a non-profit community group to run the venture.
Designed by Machynlleth practice George + Tomos Architects.
■ Vila Mir, Abergavenny A family home on a sloping garden site with views of the surrounding landscape.
The family have named the house ‘Vila Mir’, house of peace.
The main method of construction is timber frame and the building is clad in dark stained, overlapping timber boards.
Designed by Loyn + Co. in Penarth.
■ Glynn Vivian Art Gallery The redevelopment and conservation of the original 1911 Grade II* listed gallery and renewal and recladding of 1974 building, gave full access to both public and private areas.
A new café, shop and reception area were created, with a new entrance at pavement level, and a large public lift to all floors, so artworks can be moved safely.
Following the demolition of the existing single storey building at the rear, a new three storey spine building was constructed providing a new gallery, learning studio, community spaces, lecture theatre, conservation studios and office accommodation.
Designed by Powell Dobson, Cardiff.
■ Yr Ysgwrn, Trawsfynydd
This 19th century farmstead represents the life and achievements of one of Wales’ most famous poets, Hedd Wyn.
The repair of the existing farmhouse and outbuilding and the construction of a new curved grass roof barn and a contemporary earthsheltered extension has delivered an innovative museum and visitor destination in Snowdonia.
Hedd Wyn (Ellis Humphrey Evans) was killed during the First World War.
He was posthumously awarded the 1917 National Eisteddfod Chair at Birkenhead for his ode, ‘Yr Arwr’ (The Hero). Yr Ysgwrn remains a working agricultural farm.
Designed by Purcell, Conwy.
■ St David’s Hospice in-patients unit, Newport
This new in-patient unit has fifteen bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms organised on ground level, to support accessibility and nursing.
It also has clinical offices, bathrooms, sluices and social areas.
All bedrooms face a levelled garden area and have impressive views towards the Brecon Beacons.
Each has large bi-fold doors that help patients feel they are outside, even for those too vulnerable to go fully outside.
Designed by KKE Architects, Worcester.
■ Why were they chosen?
Chief executive of the design commission for Wales Carole-Anne Davies said: “The shortlist places the spotlight on a genuinely rich mix of projects each with distinct strengths, addressing, as excellent architecture always does, the most powerful cultural and community values in a society. We do not envy the task ahead for selectors.”
Director of the Royal Society of Architects in Wales Mary Wrenn said: “The 2018 shortlist covers a wide range of project types of the highest quality.
“This demonstrates that architects across Wales are producing outstanding results for their clients, often working in challenging geographic locations and within very tight budgets.”
All five shortlisted projects for the Gold Medal will be visited by landscape and built environment photographer, James Morris, and poet, Morgan Owen, who will respond in verse.
This will form the basis of the Architecture in Wales exhibition at the Senedd during the National Eisteddfod of Wales from 4 – 11 August.
Supported through the partnership between the National Eisteddfod of Wales, Design Commission for Wales and the Royal Society of Architects in Wales, the exhibition aims to raise the profile of architecture in Wales and communicate the contribution the built environment makes to the country.