In the international competition to improve the facade of one of Bristol’s most hated buildings, three finalists were just announced which will be narrowed down to an single winner later this summer. The challenge encouraged participants to put forward concepts for a facelift to improve the aesthetics and performance of Bristol Royal Infirmary. The shortlisted designs are Veil by Spain’s Nieto Sobejano; Vertical Garden by Swedes Tham & Videgård; and Light and Air by US design office Solid Objectives-Idenburg Liu (SO-IL). More images and information after the break.
With a jury that includes Tom Dyckhoff and Rob Gregory, program manager at the city’s Architecture Centre, the shortlisted teams went though an extensive interview process.
“There is a great deal of momentum in Bristol right now that is giving us new energy,” Gregory said. “Not only with George Ferguson as mayor, but with opportunities associated with the Bristol Temple Quarter enterprise zone and Bristol Arena, and also following the announcement that Bristol will be European Green Capital 2015.”
"Collaborations with clients such as the trust would be what enabled the Architecture Centre to survive in the age of austerity...Gone are the days of architecture centers being ‘nice to have’ cultural venues. We now need to forge new positions where we can become the go-to place in the city where people can discuss ideas about how to create a better city,” he said.
These proposals will be on view to the public until July 7 at the Architecture Centre, which last week hosted a public reception with the teams and judges.
Text Courtesy of bdonline.co.uk.
