Gardens scoop top architecture prize

Union Terrace Gardens (UTG) has scooped the project of the year title in the Aberdeen Society of Architects’ annual design awards.

The near-£30 million revamp of sunken gardens in the heart of the Granite City also won the public realm gong. And it was “highly commended” in the conservation category.

The project of the year honour was for UTG’s three pavilions, designed by architects Stallan-Brand.

Judges said the pavilions seemed to “encompass a multitude of individual projects”.

They cited their strong credentials in areas including conservation, preservation, architecture, engineering and public realm, delivering an overall result “greater than the sum of its parts”. And they said the outcome was “a testament to the vision and drive of the whole team behind this significant project for Aberdeen”.

The work at UTG was finally completed in December 2022 after numerous delays. Problems after the gardens reopened have included anti-social behaviour, CCTV cameras not being switched on, public toilets being shut and initial difficulties finding tenants for the pavilions.

Judges included David Wilson, associate dean of the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture at Robert Gordon University, Dundee Institute of Architects president Fiona Canavan, and Aberdeenshire Council heritage planner Yvonne Tough.

The awards dinner took place at Union Kirk on the city’s Union Street, where around 120 architects heard a presentation by Peter Exley, the new dean of the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture.

Mr Exley, a former president of the American Institute of Architects, called for action from architects over a number of local projects, including the delayed redevelopment of Victoria Road School in Torry.

WINNER: Union Terrace Gardens claimed the project of the year title for architects Stallan-Brand’s three pavilions.

BioHub won its category.