Building Briefs – June 16th

The City of Glasgow College has won three top architectural awards in one night.

The college’s City campus in the heart of Glasgow’s learning quarter scooped the 2017 RIAS and RIBA award for best current Scottish architecture.

The state of the art building also took the Architects’ Journal’s top prizes, winning the AJ100 Building of the Year and AJ100 Client of the Year awards.

Principal and chief executive of City of Glasgow College, Paul Little, said: “We are absolutely thrilled. Winning three prestigious architectural awards in one night, being crowned Building of the Year and being recognised as the best in current Scottish architecture, is truly remarkable.

“These accolades underline what our staff, students and visitors already know; that we have a world class, inspiring, learning environment. We are truly redefining what college education means and the extraordinary twin site campus, created by a challenging design brief and innovative thinking from our architects, is sure to be an iconic feature of Glasgow’s city scape for generations to come.”

Reiach and Hall Architects and Michael Laird Architects said: “Winning the Building of the Year at the AJ100 is a tremendous honour for everyone involved in the project, across the whole design and construction team.

“We are also delighted that our client has been awarded ‘Client of the Year’ at the same awards. City of Glasgow College was a highly engaged and collaborative client group whose energy and commitment to the project went substantially beyond professional obligations.

“Hopefully the quality of the buildings and these awards will help the college give its students the inspiration and aspiration to prosper. We also hope that this contribution to Glasgow will become a valued and loved part of the city.”

Call for new auditorium to be included in Edinburgh City Region Deal

The Scottish Government is keen to see proposals for a new performance venue in Edinburgh included in the forthcoming City Region Deal, culture secretary Fiona Hyslop has confirmed.

The charitable trust IMPACT Scotland and Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) are behind a proposal to create a new 1,000 seat world-class auditorium in St Andrew’s Square, which would become the new home of the SCO. It would also be a venue for musical performances, conferences, public educational engagement and be used each August by the Edinburgh International Festival.

Speaking in a Scottish Parliament debate to highlight the importance of the Edinburgh Festivals in the 70th anniversary since they were founded, Ms Hyslop said: “The Scottish Government has been a strong supporter and fully engaged in the development of the proposed IMPACT performance venue since initial conversations in 2013 when I met with the donors and Royal Bank of Scotland.

“We saw great value in the proposal and funded the initial feasibility study. Since then, we have been in discussion with partners involved in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal to secure their support for the venue, and I’m pleased that these negotiations have progressed.

“This project will secure a critical new performance venue in the centre of Edinburgh; provide a home for the Scottish Chamber Orchestra; and will be used exclusively for Festival performances in August. The economic and cultural benefits of such a venue will be felt widely across Edinburgh and its surrounding regions and across Scotland.

“In the face of increasing national and international competition, this support will optimise Edinburgh’s position as an international festival city and Scotland’s reputation as a leading centre for music and the performing arts.”

Work to start on East Ayrshire railway bridge repairs scheme

Work is to start on a railway bridge repairs project in East Ayrshire.

Network Rail will repair and strengthen two structures over Ayr Road in Mauchline. Work will begin on June 19 and will be ongoing until August 4.

The scheme is part of Network Rail’s UK wide railway upgrade plan and is needed every 25 years to extend the structures’ lifespan, as well as ensure their safe operation of the railway infrastructure.

Features include steel strengthening, metal work repairs and work on the bridge’s masonry.

To carry out the scheme safely, the road will need to be closed to traffic overnight for five nights from 11.30pm on 20 July to 7am on 25 July. Diversions will be in place.

James Frew staff show off new upgraded uniform

Office and maintenance staff at James Frew have recently been upgraded to a full brand new uniform.

Dressing to impress, the maintenance staff (left to right) Billy Gilmour, Darren Russell, Aaron Tait & Raymond Fettes model the upgrade which still uses the recognisable navy blue brand colour.

Leigh-Ann McIlwain, Christina Smith, Rachel Kane & Annemarie Slavin who work in the main office also show off their new pale blue shirts with James Frew navy cardigans.

Roddy Frew, managing director at James Frew Ltd, said: “The new uniform shows the continuous commitment by the company to promote and encourage further development of the corporate brand. By having a strong positive identity, we are easily recognisable to all our customers. Having a new company uniform across the board also shows we are one big team and all working towards the same goal.”

Pavement works to begin on A90 at Findon

Pavement works are to begin on the A90 road in Aberdeenshire.

The scheme at Findon is being carried out as part of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project. Diversion routes will be signposted.

When complete, the AWPR/B-T will help to reduce congestion, cut journey times, improve safety and lower pollution in Aberdeen City Centre.

The colour’s purple for PCS

To help raise awareness of Pancreatic Cancer in Scotland, Glasgow firm Just Employment Law have picked up the baton will be hosting a Glitzy Summer Ball in aid of the charity on Saturday.

With around 500 guests set to attend the event at the Radisson Blu Hotel, one lucky attendee will also be driving off with a brand new car.

Managing director of Just Employment Law, David McRae, said: “Our own family has been affected by this dreadful condition and we are delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile charity. Thanks to our friends at Park’s Motor Group, in addition to a plethora of other donations generously pledged by the business community, one of our guests will be driving away in a brand new Dacia car, complete with purple bow in the colours of the charity. We hope the event and associated activities will help to raise the charity’s profile and also raise awareness of the early signs of Pancreatic Cancer and the lack of research funding into this condition.”

The sell-out event is sure to be a ‘roaring’ success.