The shortlist has been announced for the competition to design a non-denominational reception building that will provide commemorative services for a green burial site to be created at Alne Wood Park, near Alcester.
RIBA Competitions is managing the selection process on behalf of Warwickshire landowner Felix Dennis - who is working in partnership with registered charity The Heart of England Forest Ltd - to plant and preserve a large native broadleaf forest in the heart of England.
The green burial site seeks to complement this overarching vision via an appropriate development which will provide a reliable source of income, increase rural employment, bio-diversity and public engagement with the landscape.
The Judging Panel consisted of Felix Dennis and David Bliss (Trustees, The Heart of England Forest Ltd.), Colin Shenton (Shenton Group), with Stephen Hodder Hodder+Partners) acting as the RIBA Architect Adviser.
Practices were asked to show examples of relevant work from their portfolio, together with outlining their preliminary ideas about the project, and proposed approach to design and site context.
The Panel was delighted by the response to the competition which attracted 94 Expressions of Interest from architects based in the UK and Europe. Panel members were impressed by the range of proposed approaches and the understanding of the subject matter demonstrated within the supporting narrative material.
The four short-listed practices [in alphabetical order] are:
- Baumschlager Eberle Hauvette Paris
- Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios
- Jonathan Hendry Architects
- Rainey Petrie Architecture
Following more detailed development of the design proposals, the four practices will be invited to present their schemes to the Judging Panel at a final interview to be held in March 2013.
