Stuart GouldenCity of York Council has today launched a competition seeking nationally and internationally renowned architects to submit their design proposals which clearly demonstrate potential future uses for York’s historic Guildhall and riverside complex.
Registered architects are invited to develop their ideas for the Guildhall, the associated office accommodation, river frontage and boat yard, as part of an ‘Open Ideas’ competition, run by The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Entries will be sought from architects putting forward innovative ideas on how the potential of the Guildhall site and riverside could be maximised for the benefit of the city and its residents.
A judging panel appointed to oversee the competition and choose a winner will include award winning and nationally renowned architect Keith Williams, chair of the jury panel and the RIBA advisor; City of York Council cabinet members Councillor Julie Gunnell, Cabinet member for Corporate Services and Cllr Dave Merrett, Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability; a city business representative and Darren Richardson, newly appointed director of City and Environmental Services at City of York Council, and also David Warburton, head of Design Conservation and Sustainable Development at City of York Council.
A wider group of key city stakeholders has also been appointed and includes business, academic, heritage and conservation specialists.
York Boat and the Civic Trust are sponsoring the competition and will be offering winning candidates the cash prizes from £1,000 to £5,000.
Councillor Julie Gunnell, Cabinet member for Corporate Services, City of York Council, said: “The Guildhall and associated spaces are a significant part of York’s cultural and civic history and we want to ensure that it can continue to play a key role in the city in the future. Independent assessment of the site confirms that significant development and modernisation of elements of the complex will be necessary to make the most of the buildings and riverside area for the future.”
Cllr Dave Merrett, Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability, said: “We hope that by inviting ideas from architectural practices across the world, the city will see the benefits that could be realised from a range of high quality and innovative options for the Guildhall and adjacent riverside towards Lendal bridge.”
Keith Williams, said: “This is an ideas competition. Nevertheless, it represents an intriguing and testing challenge to architects to balance successfully the sensitive nature of York’s historic riverside with inspirational proposals that will show how this extraordinarily rich complex of buildings and spaces may be transformed.”
Brian Clarke, managing director of Yorkboat said, “It’s great to get new ideas particularly for this important part of the city, this competition is a great idea and I am sure that it will generate some blue sky thinking, Yorkboat is delighted to be both a sponsor and a partner in this initiative.”
The competition submission deadline is Tuesday 6 November and the results will be announced early December.
For more details about the competition or to enter visit www.architecture.com/competitions
