News 22/5/07

The Bridge wins top architecture awards

The Bridge Arts Centre in Easterhouse has won the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Award, alongside two other Scottish buildings. The Awards are run in Scotland by the RIBA’s sister organisation, the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).

According to the Jury Chair, Rab Bennetts, The Bridge Arts Centre in Easterhouse has already become an important magnet for the community that was previously lacking.

The brightly-lit library is a spectacular and brilliant space, This is the hub of the building and, to a large extent, the centre of Easterhouse itself, linking the new accommodation with the swimming pool and the college, in a series of

split levels that wrap around the freestanding bookshelves.

Quote: Rab Bennetts

“Lifts the spirit of all who engage with it”

The project was particularly commended by the jury for its commitment to access issues and a holistic approach to the briefing and commissioning process. They admired its ability to “lift the spirit of all who engage with it”. The jury summed up their impressions by describing The Bridge as an example of “urban regeneration at its most powerful”.

The Bridge Arts Centre will now go on to the next round of Awards – the RIBA National Awards – The winners will be announced on 22 June 2007.

Scottish Design Awards to the Bridge Architects

In addition to the RIBA award the architects who designed The Bridge, Gareth Hoskins Architects, took home two awards for The Bridge from the Scottish Design Awards at the weekend.

The Bridge won Best Public Building and Architecture Grand Prix awarded to the best architecture project featured in the awards.

Inspiring the local community

Jackie Shearer, Arts Manager at The Bridge said “It's amazing how communities really can be uplifted by inspirational design and architecture. In it's first few months, The Bridge has attracted over 250,000 visitors who engage in all sorts of things - from library visits and swimming to dance classes, concerts and theatre performances. The Bridge, in a short time, has already proven its place within the community and we're looking forward to bigger and more dynamic things in the future.

Photo by Alaisdair Smith for Greater Easterhouse Arts Company