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Notes to editors

1. For images and further information please contact Mina Vadon in the RIBA Press Office on 07805 173681, 020 7307 3761 or mina.vadon@inst.riba.org
3. Full citation follows:
   Midland Hotel Marine Road West, Morecambe 
   
   
   
   
   Architect:                       Union North
   
   
   
   
   Client:                           Urban Splash
   
   
   
   
   Contractor:                    Urban Splash Build
   
   
   
   
   Structural Engineer:        Ramboll Whitby Bird
   
   
   
   
   Services Engineer:          Abacus Consult Ltd
   
   
   
   
   Quantity Surveyor:         Simon Fenton Partnership
   
   
   
   
   Access Consultant:          HCD Group
   
   
   
   
   Contract Value:              £11m
   Date of occupation:       June 2008
   Gross internal area:         5008sq m
   
   In their Midland Hotel renovation Union North have restored the glory of an original design by Oliver Hill and added a layer of lively contemporary design.  Their trademark approach has resurrected and made relevant a derelict regional landmark. The project has carefully upgraded and repaired the existing fabric, preserving important historic features, most notably the wall panels by Eric Gill. Re-organising the interior of the hotel and adding discrete extensions has provided a modern efficient and functional hotel environment without losing the character of the existing building.  Interior spaces have been developed with flair and originality to create a range of remarkable public spaces, as well as stylish contemporary bedrooms. The spiral staircase has been meticulously re-worked to make it compliant with current building regulations. The specialist conservation judges were particularly impressed by the adoption of a creative and intelligent approach to the conservation of a major Modern Movement building, reflected in the retention and reinstatement of the most significant qualities and features of the original building, and the introduction of explicitly new work, sympathetic to the particular character of Hill’s work, the use of sympathetic polymer render incorporating three type of glass to make it sparkle in the sun, and the wit of using Marion Dorn’s seahorse motif in the stainless steel grills in the showers as well in the floor mosaic in the entrance lounge and on the stair banister. The Midland Hotel, Morecambe represents a re-interpretation of the original architect’s intentions in the light of the commercial needs of the client and the regeneration needs of a depressed seaside town.  The two new additions – a replacement sun room with floor to ceiling glazing which forms the dining room (replacing a crude 1979 extension) and a glazed rooftop extension (in place of an unused sun terrace) are beautifully judged.  Much of the interiors are done with an unashamedly broad brush – both contemporary and populist.  The result – after a seven and a half year wait - is a hotel which is bucking the recessionary trend and packing in both returning and new visitors to the hotel and to the town.
   
   
   
4. The RIBA Stirling Prize is a ‘built or designed in Britain’ prize, for which only buildings in the UK by RIBA chartered members and International Fellows, or buildings in the rest of the EU by practices whose principal office is in the UK, are eligible.
   
   
   
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6. 2009 marks the 175th anniversary of the founding of the RIBA. To celebrate this milestone the Institute is holding a programme of special events throughout the year that aim to show the breadth of our activities throughout the world of architecture, and engage an even wider public and celebrate the benefits to society of good design. For further information visit
   
   
   
   www.architecture.com