and the winner is...
Winning submission 69 - Berman Guedes Stretton
Cheltenham Borough Council is pleased to announce that the winner of the RIBA Open Design Competition is: Berman Guedes Stretton
The Jury Panel said: "The unanimous decision of the assessors was that Berman Guedes Stretton be awarded the commission, in the anticipation of realising a distinguished and successful project. The scheme possessed clarity of vision and an uncomplicated consistency that gave the design a simple elegance and logic". They also praised the design's eco-friendly aspects, including use of reclaimed and self-finished materials, ground source heat pumps and natural ventilation - and further felt that the development would enhance the surrounding area, by creating a link through to Cheltenham's oldest building, medieval St Mary's Church.
The new development will transform Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum by greatly increasing its exhibition and display space and other facilities. Notable features include a large temporary exhibition gallery, additional space for collections, and for the first time, a dedicated space for the Art Gallery & Museum's extensive education, outreach, lifelong learning and arts development work. The design also included improved and fully-accessible visitor facilities, including lifts, shop and cafe.
The competition judges were informed in their short listing and final judging by a consultation process, involving a range of organisations and hundreds of visitors and residents who gave their views on comment sheets and at a series of road shows throughout Cheltenham.
Berman Guedes Stretton was formed in 1996 from the amalgamation of two Oxford practices, Berman Guedes Partnership and Roger Stretton Architects and has offices in Oxford and London. Alan Berman and Roger Stretton studied at Cambridge and Oxford respectively and are supported by colleagues who previously worked for Hopkins Architects, Penoyre & Prasad and Edward Cullinan’s offices who share their regard for inventiveness and clarity in their work.
The practice combines creativity with a rational logic and they see themselves as architects facing challenges head on with a desire for simplicity and rigour. Work to date has been complimented for its understanding of materials and for the sensitive integration of contemporary design into historic contexts. This has been recognised through competition success, particularly at many of Oxford’s historic colleges, as well as recent RIBA prizes.
The practice has worked with a wide range of prestigious clients and has particular expertise in research and educational buildings, having worked for a number of years with the Universities of Warwick, Oxford, Birmingham and Imperial College, London. Considerable expertise has been gained in working with existing buildings where their character is always recognized without compromising
the integrity of the new.
