Knowledge

The 2018 edition of Touchstone, the annual review of architecture in Wales, will be published this autumn with a brand new design. It will be published along with this year's Touchstone Directory of architecture practices in Wales, and registration for the directory section is now open. Registration costs start from £35+VAT, and registration closes on the 28 July 2018.

The RSAW is pleased to promote a new awards scheme for 2018; the Heritage Angel Awards Wales. These awards are designed to recognise and reward those individuals who have made a significant contribution to saving our heritage, particularly through projects involving the built environment. The awards are administered by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, and are sponsored by the Andrew Lloyd-Webber Foundation.

The Royal Society of Architects in Wales have announced the winners of the 2018 Welsh Architecture Awards and special prizes. Yr Yswgrn by Purcell, University of Bangor Arts and Innovation Centre (Pontio) by Grimshaw, and St Davids Hospice New In-patient Unit by KKE Architects have all received awards, with Yr Ysgwrn winning the coveted 2018 RSAW Building of the Year Award for the best new building in Wales this year.

The Royal Society of Architects in Wales are delighted to announce the six buildings that have been shortlisted for the RSAW 2018 Welsh Architecture Awards. The shortlisted schemes include a dignified new In-Patient Unit for a hospice in Newport, and a school in Port Talbot that recently won the 2017 National Eisteddfod's Gold Medal for Architecture.

The Wales Festival of Architecture returns again in 2018, bringing together a diverse programme of interesting and architecturally-related events for the general public, delivered by local RSAW branches and partner organisations. This year's festival runs across April and May, at Aberystwyth Arts Centre and other venues across Wales.

On 5 December, RSAW Immediate Past President Robert Firth welcomed Menna Richards, former Controller of BBC Wales, as our 33rd Honorary Member, in a ceremony at Insole Court, Llandaff. Menna Richards has been a client of award-wining buildings, a lay assessor for the RSAW Welsh Architecture Awards and a panel member for the Dewi-Prys Thomas prize.

The Royal Society of Architects in Wales has published its Review of the Year for 2017 which documents key news, events, and initiatives that have occurred this year; for the benefit of members, the general public, and architects across Wales.

The Royal Society of Architects in Wales and the Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University are pleased to announce 2018's Practice Experience Programme, enabling current 2nd year students to connect with a local practice between January and April 2018. Practices based in South Wales can apply to be Host Practices by downloading and returning the Register of Interest form.

Four schemes have been selected for exhibition at this year's National Eisteddfod of Wales, Anglesey and will form the shortlist for The Gold Medal for Architecture and the Plaque of Merit

This statement, provided by the RSAW, gives additional information regarding the Welsh context around designing for fire safety and builds upon the RIBA statement issued following the devastating and tragic fire at Grenfell Tower. Topics covered include the matter of devolved Building Regulations and the Welsh Government's official response to the fire in West London.