Aardman's Bristol HG wins architecture awards

It was a cracking night for Bristol-based Aardman animations as the home of Wallace and Gromit scooped two awards for architecture.

The building was among several in the area celebrated for quality of design and use at the annual Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) South West Town and Country Design Awards

Bristol City Lord Mayor Chris Davies was among a packed audience at Cabot Circus' Future Inn as Chief Executive of the UK Green Building Council Paul King hosted the awards, given in recognition of architectural excellence in the South West.

The new £8 million Gasferry Road headquarters of Aardman, the company behind hit animations such as The Wrong Trousers, Chicken Run and Flushed Away, was designed by city-based Alec French Architects.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013

It won the overall Ibstock Premier Award as well as the Workspace category.

Jon Watkins, regional director for RIBA South West, said: "2009 has seen grand designs presented from a sector that has suffered at the hands of the recession.

"The Aardman Animations HQ at Bristol by RIBA chartered practice Alec French Architects responds to the historic industrial nature and grain of the Harbourside site whilst a creative and free approach to the window distribution on the public face allows unexpected and tantalising glimpses of the interior and provides a showcase for some of the production company's iconic characters."

Jury chair Richard Parnaby, Professor of Architecture at the University of the West of England, said: "Genuinely stunning in concept and detail, the new offices and studios for Aardman provide an environment which fully responds to and reflects the working ethos of the client. Every office space in every city should be this good."

A spokesman for Alec French Architects said: "It might seem obvious but a great client often produces the best buildings. We were very fortunate to have worked with Aardman and we'd like to thank everyone who worked on this project."

There were also celebrations for Acanthus Ferguson Mann Architects, based on Great George Street, as they picked up the Housing Scheme award for their design of urban block Cargo in Plymouth.

Mr Watkins added: "The class of 2009 has increased the profile of excellent architectural projects being undertaken in the South West, and highlighted the need for good design to be at the forefront of construction in the region.

"The importance of interaction with local communities has been proved as an essential element in producing successful and realistic design solutions."