Result Announced - Atlantic College

Date:

24 January 2005

Press release contact:

RIBA Competitions Office
T: +44 (0)113 234 1335
E: riba.competitions@riba.org

Latitude Architects have won an international competition to design new residential accommodation for students studying at Atlantic College, Wales. Latitude's design was chosen from over 90 entries in a competition which attracted interest from all over the world.

Competitors were set the challenge of designing 4 new housing blocks, each one to house 40 students. Designs had to reflect the College's vision of a more dynamic and open environment for student life - Atlantic College is one of ten United World Colleges, a global education movement which brings together students from all over the world at pre-university level. The College is set in beautiful welsh countryside and at the heart of daily college life is the stunning 12th century St Donat's Castle.

Following an anonymous first stage assessment a judging panel which included the college principal, houseparent and student representative, 6 designs were selected to stage 2: by Oslo based practice div.A Architects; Maccreanor Lavington; Buschow Henley; Livesey O'Malley Architects; Graeme Massie Architects; and Latitude.

Commenting on the winning design Roger Hawkins, RIBA adviser and chair of the judges said: "Latitude gave a responsive solution which offered views from all bedrooms and balanced privacy with a requirement for openness to promote interaction between blocks. The scheme was clearly planned, astute to sustainable issues and used local materials in a modern and thoughtful way". Malcolm McKenzie, Principal of the College added: "A competition of such diversity and high standards has stimulated our whole community community and the result will inspire us. The combination of Welsh and international flavours in the winning design is exactly right for Atlantic College."

The scheme by Norwegian practice (and ex-Atlantic College students) div.A Architects was chosen as runner-up.

Latitude will now work closely with the College to work up their winning concept.
For further information on the competition and the winning design contact the RIBA Competitions Office - 0113 2341335 or visit www.ribacompetitions.com.

Notes to editors

The RIBA Competitions Office organises bespoke architectural competitions that encourage excellence in design, offer value for money, and are run smoothly from inception through to the appointment of a winning design or architect / team. The Office has vast experience of managing competitions for a diverse range of clients, project types and budgets. Please ensure the RIBA is credited when mentioning the above competition.

Latitude Architects & Designers were established in 2000 by Michael Griffiths and Andrew Gilbert and based in Central London. They are currently working on a wide range of projects throughout the UK in the residential, commercial and cultural sectors. The practice's design philosophy is to design contemporary buildings with a strong sense of materiality whilst being rooted in their context.

Atlantic College is one of ten United World Colleges. It is set in beautiful countryside in the Vale of Glamorgan, and at the heart of daily college life is the stunning 12th century St Donat's Castle. Around 330 students come from more than 70 countries each year to Atlantic College.
For more information visit: http://www.atlanticcollege.org|

United World Colleges is the only global education movement which brings together students from all over the world at pre-university level regardless of their ability to pay. Students are selected on merit and live together in an environment designed to foster international understanding, tolerance and peace.

For more information visit: http://www.uwc.org|