There are just a few weeks to go until the submission deadline for the ideas competition to re-imagine York’s historic Guildhall and riverside complex.
The RIBA Competitions judging panel chaired by Keith Williams, RIBA Adviser will meet mid November to select a shortlist of designs which will go on public exhibition prior to the authors of these designs being interviewed by the judging panel in early December.
The submission deadline is 2pm on Tuesday November 6, 2012 and all competitors should ensure they are registered before then.
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.”