18 September 2007
Contact: Tessa Kordeczka, 020 7070 6769
Glasgow City Council is to be presented with a plaque to mark the inclusion of The Bridge Arts Centre in the shortlist for this year's Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award.
Margaret Curran MSP and Cllr. James Coleman, Chair of The Bridge Arts Centre, will be presented with the award by Sebastian Tombs, Chief Executive of Architecture and Design Scotland, at 10.30am on Monday 17 September. Media are invited to attend the presentation at The Bridge Arts Centre, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Easterhouse, Glasgow.
The centre, designed by Gareth Hoskins Architects, is the only Scottish entry among 18 shortlisted entries competing for the Prime Minister's Award. The award recognises new buildings, places and spaces that, through good design, have improved local public services, create a sense of community and local pride, and are helping to build a sustainable future.
Conceived as a link between the existing John Wheatley College and the refurbished Easterhouse swimming pool, The Bridge provides a home for both the National Theatre of Scotland and local dance company Visual Statement, as well as a 200-seat auditorium, studio theatre, workshop and meeting space, recording facilities and a café.
The scheme has bought an empty site back to life, making performance, creativity and learning accessible to the whole community. The judges have described it as 'a stylish and robust regeneration project, helping to unite the community'.
Jackie Shearer, Arts Manager at The Bridge, said:
'It's amazing how communities really can be uplifted by inspirational design and architecture. In its first year, The Bridge has attracted over 394,000 visitors - for the library, swimming, dance classes, concerts and theatre performances. The Bridge, in a short time, has already proved its place within the community and we're looking forward to bigger and more dynamic things in the future.'
Sebastian Tombs from Architecture and Design Scotland said:
'We are delighted that the Bridge has been shortlisted for this important award. Good design is an important factor in the success of all buildings. Design can influence how people feel about and move around a building and has an enormous impact on its sustainability. We commend all those who have worked on the Bridge project for creating this exciting and inspirational building for the people of Easterhouse.'
Now in its seventh year, the Prime Minister's Better Public Building Award recognises excellence in design quality and procurement practices of publicly funded building schemes. The 18 projects shortlisted for this year's award were drawn from 117 entries. The award is jointly sponsored by CABE and the Office of Government Commerce (OGC). It is part of the British Construction Industry Awards and this year’s winner will be announced on 10 October.