The RIBA and the British Council have announced the Open Door 2022 finalists during a hybrid event which took place at RIBA and online on 21 October.
The Open Door project showcases and celebrates outstanding architectural conservation work in the UK and China.
The Expert Advisory Group, chaired by Ben Derbyshire, RIBA Past President and Commissioner for Historic England, assessed the entries along with a selection of RIBA-award winning buildings to select the 14 outstanding heritage projects from the UK and mainland China. The Open Door submissions are divided into two categories; Renovation and repurpose of twentieth century (c. 20th) heritage buildings and Historic buildings built before 1901
The six finalists from Open Door call for proposal stream are:
Renovation and repurpose of c. 20th Heritage buildings
- The Brunner, Mond & Co. Building by Shanghai Bailian Asset Holding Co., Ltd.
- Canongate Block 2 by John Gilbert Architects
- Wilding Lounge Café by SYN Architects
- Williams House, Nanjing University by Tian Leng, Xiaoxin Zhao, Shuyong Chao and Yu Wang
Historic buildings built before 1901
- Jankes Barn, Mount Bures by Lynch Architects/Rachel Elliott
- Former Japanese Consulate, Kulangsu by Beijing Guowenyan Cultural Heritage Conservation Centre (CHCC)
The RIBA Award stream finalists are selected from the RIBA International Awards and RIBA National Awards over the past two decades by the Expert Advisory Group.
The eight finalists from Open Door RIBA Award stream are:
Renovation and repurpose of c. 20th Heritage buildings
- Lianzhou Museum of Photography by O-office Architects/Jianxiang He and Ying Jiang
- Southbank Centre by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
Historic buildings built before 1901
- Bristol Old Vic by Haworth Tompkins
- Coal Drops Yard by Heatherwick Studio
- Magdalen College Library by Wright & Wright Architects
- Martello Tower Y by Piercy & Company
- Nevill Holt Opera by Witherford Watson Mann Architects
- Shaftesbury Theatre by Bennetts Associates
Members of the Expert Advisory Group were unanimous in their decision, recognising the diverse and engaging nature of the finalists which strongly demonstrate the environmental and cultural benefits of building conservation.
Ben Derbyshire, chair of the Expert Advisory Group, said: ‘‘Our task in the jury was to celebrate the best in community-led adaptive reuse of heritage buildings. We had much to choose from in an excellent range of diverse entries, from the best of the RIBA award schemes as well as an open call for proposals, where a brilliant and inventive display of solutions were presented to us.
“We have much to do to make the best of our built heritage. We must preserve embodied carbon and build on the collective memory to yield intangible benefits of our historic environment. The winning schemes are an excellent example of how investing in historic fabric contributes to community cohesion.”
Laura Webb, Executive Director of Membership Experience, said: “The Open Door initiative demonstrates the importance of preserving our historic buildings - bringing together and recognising the recent conservation efforts in the UK and China. The finalists' projects showcase exemplary conservation work and demonstrate the value of knowledge sharing between experts in both countries.
“Congratulations to the 14 finalists, and thanks to all the architects who expressed interest and submitted entries.”
Sevra Davis, Director of Architecture, Design and Fashion at the British Council, said: “Through our collaboration with the RIBA International, the Open Door project brings forward not only the best of architectural thinking about the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings from the UK and China, but also promotes cultural relations between the two countries through sharing best practices and new opportunities for collaboration.
“The finalists and their projects reveal a diverse range of approaches to adaptive reuse, improving our understanding about how architects can address sensitive cultural heritage and sustainability issues by preserving our existing environment rather than building anew.”
The RIBA and The British Council will also host two masterclasses events on 26 and 27 October, featuring the winning projects, which will provide a forum for discussions around contemporary architectural conservation. The exhibition will take place in Shanghai, China later this year.
For more information about the 14 finalists, please visit here.
