Royal search for the best new church architecture
HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO is to help find the UK's best new church architecture for two prestigious design awards being run by the National Churches Trust and the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association.
New church buildings can be entered for The Presidents' Award. The Presidents’ Award is awarded on behalf of the National Churches Trust's Joint Presidents, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association (EASA) President. The winning church or chapel will receive a £500 prize.
Innovative church conservation or repair work can be entered for The King of Prussia's Gold Medal. The architects responsible for the winning project will receive the prestigious King of Prussia Gold Medal. The Gold Medal was the gift of King Freidrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia in 1857 who was highly impressed with British Victorian church architecture. The winning church or chapel will receive a £500 prize.
This year, HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO, who is a Vice-Patron of the National Churches Trust, will be a special guest judge for the 2015 Presidents' Award and the King of Prussia Gold Medal.
The deadline for submitting projects is 31stAugust 2015. From the entries, a shortlist will be announced in September and winners will be revealed at a special awards ceremony held at Westminster Cathedral Hall on 5th November 2015.
Nominations for the two design awards, which are open to projects at churches and chapels of any denomination in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, can be made by architects, chartered surveyors, churches and chapels and anyone else with a passion for great church architecture. Submitting a nomination can be done online by competing a simple form at www.nationalchurchestrust.org/architectureawards
Claire Walker, Chief Executive, National Churches Trust said: “These awards are a chance to celebrate the work of architects creating new church buildings and safeguarding the UK’s church heritage. For the Presidents' Award we’re looking for high quality and innovative contemporary design. For the King of Prussia Gold Medal we’re looking for the best in conservation and repair architecture. This year, we’re tremendously honoured that HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO has graciously agreed to be a special guest judge for the awards and look forward to benefiting from his architectural expertise in choosing the winners.”
Simon Dyson, Vice- President of the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association said: “The awards celebrate the best examples of building works being undertaken in the ecclesiastical context, be it a historic or a new church building. They are an opportunity to present the best examples of church work to parishes, architects and surveyors, in the promotion of good design and practice, and are exemplars to aspire to.”
“The Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association is delighted and honoured to have the support of HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO helping to judge the best examples of church architecture for this year’s awards.”
2014 Winners
The 2014 Presidents' Award was awarded to Evans Vettori Architects for the new hall at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Derby. You can find out more about the history of the Presidents’ Award and previous winners at http://www.easanet.co.uk/index.php/2012-09-05-14-46-50/menuitempresaward
In 2014 The King of Prussia Gold Medal for innovative, high quality church conservation or repair work was won by Beech Tyldesley Architects for their repairs to the tower of St Michael’s Church, Othery, Somerset. You can find out more about the history of the King of Prussia Gold Medal Award and previous winners at http://www.easanet.co.uk/index.php/2012-09-05-14-46-50/menuitemkopaward
ENDS
Press Contact: Eddie Tulasiewicz 07742 932278 eddie@nationalchurchestrust.org
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Photos of the winning projects in 2014 and of HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO are attached.
2. More photos of winners of the 2014 Presidents’ Award and the King of Prussia Gold Medal can be downloaded at https://www.flickr.com/photos/nationalchurchestrust/sets/72157648722140170
3. HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO
Vice-Patron of the National Churches Trust
The Duke of Gloucester is the second son of the late Duke of Gloucester and the late Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, a grandson of King George V and a first cousin to HM The Queen. He became heir to his father's titles following the death of his elder brother, Prince William of Gloucester, in a flying accident on 28 August 1972, and succeeded his father in June 1974. He read architecture at Magdalene College, Cambridge 1963-69, with a year’s practical work in 1966-67 at the Offices Development Group of the Ministry of Public Building and Works. After completing his Diploma and training, he went into practice as a partner in a firm of London architects until the death of his brother. He was a Trustee of the Historic Churches Preservation Trust (HCPT) 1985-2004 and since then Vice-Patron of the HCPT and the National Churches Trust.
4. About the Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association
The Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association (EASA) is a learned society, founded in 1872 as the Ecclesiastical Surveyors Association.
The objectives of the Association are to
- advance the knowledge and practice of ecclesiastical architecture,
- uphold the professional integrity and the status of members
- serve as a medium of friendly communication between members and others interested in ecclesiastical architecture,
- encourage facilities for the study of and training in the care of ecclesiastical buildings.
5. About the National Churches Trust
The National Churches Trust is the leading national independent charity concerned with the protection and welfare of churches, chapels and meeting houses throughout the United Kingdom. We aim to:
a) Provide grants for the repair, maintenance and modernisation of church buildings
b) Act as a catalyst to improve and bring more resources to the management of church buildings
c) Promote the value of church buildings to the community at large
07742 932278 eddie@nationalchurchestrust.org
About the National Churches Trust
The National Churches Trust is the leading national independent charity concerned with the protection and welfare of churches, chapels and meeting houses throughout the United Kingdom. We aim to:
a) Provide grants for the repair, maintenance and modernisation of church buildings
b) Act as a catalyst to improve and bring more resources to the management of church buildings
c) Promote the value of church buildings to the community at large
