Goldstone Tower nominated for 2023 RIBA Awards

Who are RIBA and what do they do?

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a professional organisation that represents architects and promotes excellence in architecture in the United Kingdom and around the world. Founded in 1834, RIBA is one of the oldest and most prestigious architecture organisations in the world, with a membership of over 44,000 architects.

RIBA’s mission is to promote and make architecture accessible to the wider public and to provide support for professional development for architects and other professionals within the industry. RIBA also works closely with government bodies and other organisations and is a key player in shaping the UK’s regulatory framework for sustainable architecture. It is through advocacy for sustainable design and its involvement in creating and writing policy within the sector, that RIBA plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the construction industry in the UK and beyond.       

What are the RIBA awards?

The establishment of the RIBA Awards goes back to 1836, just two years after the founding of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) itself. At that time, the RIBA Gold Medal was created as a prize for the best architectural work in the UK and over the decades, the award evolved to include other categories and eventually became the RIBA Awards that we know today.

Since their inception, the RIBA Awards have grown in prestige and importance, and they are now recognized as among the most significant architectural awards in the world. They are widely respected for their rigorous judging process, which involves a panel of experts from the architecture community carefully evaluating each entry based on a set of criteria that includes design quality, innovation, sustainability, and the contribution of the building to its community and surroundings.

The UK is considered one of the international hubs for creativity and innovation and architecture is no exception. Every year, buildings of the utmost cutting edge design are shortlisted for the RIBA awards and, given the significance of the awards and the requirements set out, the bar is high even for the aspirants. 

South East Regional category awards

The RIBA Regional Awards recognize unique architecture projects across the UK. The awards are divided into several regions, and winning a regional award is considered a significant achievement for architects outside of London. The regional awards celebrate design excellence, innovation, and sustainability in a variety of building types, from private homes to large commercial projects.

Leading international design practice Hassell have this year submitted for the South East in the Regional category of the 2023 RIBA awards the Mithras Student Village part of the University of Brighton which has the Goldstone Hall as its centre point and it is clad in Argeton terracotta. 

The project is one the 17 contenders in that category and is a paradigm of the essence of Hassell’s work which tries to combine strategic insight with creative design to unlock the social, cultural and economic value of places.  

The Mithras Student Village is part of the transformational multi-stage masterplan for the University of Brighton’s main Moulsecoomb Campus that spans across a 10 ha site and features over 55,000 sqm of avant-garde buildings and infrastructure, and it is the largest masterplan for an education campus that Hassell have delivered in their 80-year history.

The project pioneers a new direction for higher education buildings by consolidating five previously fragmented sites with a holistic approach that supports the University’s aspiration to break down the boundaries between academia, research, business and industry and creates an environment that encourages learning anytime, anywhere.

The architectural impact and the socio-economic significance of the Mithras Student Village for the local community led the design team to a meticulous study of all aspects of the project. As a result the material specification of the focal points within the development was locked to ensure the quality of the scheme could not be compromised. 

Why was Argeton terracotta cladding selected?

Argeton terracotta was selected as the cladding material for the Goldstone tower, which is the tallest and one of the nucleus of the project. Argeton terracotta offered a material of natural and robust characteristics, it offered versatility and quality and by being used in a glaze finish, it was able to depict the dynamism of the building’s identity.

Recognising unique architecture across the UK?

At Telling Rainscreens we are proud the Goldstone Tower, clad in glazed Argeton terracotta cladding is the centre stage of one of the schemes considered of architectural significance and shortlisted for the RIBA Regional Awards.

The RIBA Awards is one of the most anticipated events in the architectural calendar, with architects and design teams from around the world eagerly submitting their work for consideration. The awards are a testament to the skill, creativity, and passion of architects and their commitment to creating innovative and sustainable buildings that enhance our built environment and improve our lives.

Find out more about the runners here.

For more information on Hassell studio, click here.

Find out more about the Goldstone Hall and why the Mithras Student Village is so deserving of such prestigious nomination here.

So when it comes to working with leading international design practices – the difference is Telling!

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