Making room for nature on the RIBA Awards shortlist

The coronavirus pandemic has meant a delay to the usual RIBA Awards judging process, so today, the RIBA Journal has published coverage of all shortlisted RIBA Award projects. We are excited to be featured in the ‘explosion of architecture’ as Hugh Pearman puts it, with two projects; very different from each other, but both designed with a desire to make room for nature to improve the health and happiness of the occupants. In both buildings, daylight is brought deep into the plan and natural materials, specifically timber, are visible throughout.

1. The  National Automotive Innovation Centre  in the Prof. Lord Bhattacharyya Building at the University of Warwick is one the largest research and development centre of its kind in Europe at 33,000sqm. The NAIC is a partnership between WMG, at the University of Warwick, Jaguar Land Rover and Tata Motors European Technical Centre. 1,000 staff working across design, engineering and research, as well as future engineers on degree programmes are united under one of the largest timber roofs in the world. 

2.  Push-Pull House  in Amersham is a playfully creative family home, built of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) exposed throughout the interior, with planes and volumes pushed and pulled to bring in daylight and connect house and garden. Bedrooms look into tree canopies and living spaces have large sliding doors opening into the garden. Glimpses of changing weather and sky follow the family as they go about their day.