Call for Entries: An Architectural Exhibition of Innovative Conceptual and Built Work in Wales

Cany Ash is partner in Ash Sakula Architects, a practice operating in architecture, urban design and regeneration, and which has a particular interest in using building projects as catalysts for change in embryonic communities.

While the architecture of the practice is bold and contemporary the practice has a reputation for tackling difficult sites, and finding imaginative ways to adapt existing buildings for new agendas. Briefs evolved with the clients through scenario discussions allow for the intelligent use of resources through the multiple programming of space for different uses. Work in the practice is focused on the whole lifecycle of buildings through from flexible planning, to good specification and smart maintenance.

One long-standing project recently completed is The Hothouse, Hackney, a centre for public art. It was described by Ken Livingstone as “an outstanding artistic space”. The Media Centre 3 in Huddersfield, a new building for creative industries, was opened by the Queen in May this year. Other recent projects include extensions to Sparkenhoe School in Leicester which won an RIBA Award in 2004, and the LCB Depot, Leicester, a bus depot recast as the centre of Leicester’s new cultural quarter with 57 studios for creative businesses. It won a RIBA Award in 2005. Currently the practice is working on projects in Luton, Derby, Newcastle and Colchester which aim to redraw the boundaries between artist’s spaces, creative industries, and public open space.

Cany has an interest in school campuses and has worked with Pimlico and Southfields Schools in London and as a CABE enabler on the New George Ward School, a pathfinder school in Wiltshire. She has led sessions for the National College for School Leadership working with schools in Kent, Waltham Forest and Wandsworth on integrating educational visions to nascent architectural visions within the BSF process.

Cany has initiated live research projects on how young people can take part in the design of their environments and particularly in school design. In 2006 working with the Children’s Express (now Headliners) eight pupils from Stoke Newington School and the new Mossbourne Academy compared their schools. Through making site models, interviews with the original project architects and a detailed mapping on the ground the group were supremely confident when presenting their film at the Unicorn Theatre to a conference audience and leading a platform discussion. She has supported Architects for Change, Diversecity, and Listen Up RIBA workshops for 15- 16 year old girls which result in some pupils applying to do architecture as a degree.

Cany Ash an External Examiner at Cambridge University, is a RIBA Awards Group member, on the English Partnerships Architect’s Panel, a CABE Enabler and a Client Design Advisor specializing in education.

Patrick Hannay is the founder and Editor of Touchstone the magazine for Architecture in Wales. A twelve year period as first, Buildings Editor, and then deputy Editor of the weekly Architects Journal in London, was a solid training ground for architectural criticism. He has been a jury member of various international and national jury panels in architecture. He is also currently Programme Director of the Interior Architecture BA Hons course at the Cardiff School of Art and Design, UWIC.

Principal Architect Chris Loyn established his own practice in 1987. During its history Loyn & Co Architects have enjoyed recognition for its achievements in architecture through published projects and a number of significant awards and nominations. These include an RIBA Architecture Award in 2001, Welsh Housing awards in 2002 and 2006, a Civic Trust Commendation in 2003, RIBA shortlisted projects in 2006 and 2007 and the Grand Designs award 2007 for best UK restoration project. The work of the practice is featured in the National Assembly Planning Policy Wales technical advice note 12 as examples of good design and is included in the Architecture Foundation’s New Architects 2 book, titled A Guide to Britain’s Best Young Architectural Practices. Loyn & Co Architects is dedicated to achieving high quality design solutions relevant to our time and place that realise client aspirations and objectives.

Gordon Murray is a principal in gordon murray+alan dunlop-architects. Their work has been exhibited widely in the UK including the Lighthouse in Glasgow. Also Rotterdam, Barcelona and Marseilles-as well as Landforms at the 2004 Venice Biennale. Appointed Head of School and Professor in Architecture and Urban Design at University of Strathclyde in April 2007, he has taught in Schools of Architecture in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast where he is also External Examiner at the University of Ulster. He is Past-President of The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (2003-05) and a Trustee of the Lighthouse-Scotland’s National Centre for Architecture, Design and the City.. Two volumes on the work of the practice are currently available: gm+ad: challenging contextualism (2003); and gm+ad: curious rationalism(2006).

Richard Weston is Professor of Architecture at Cardiff University, Editor of the refereed journal Architectural Research Quarterly (arq) and director of Richard Weston Studio Ltd. His current work involves translating natural materials into two- and three-dimensional images and materials using digital technologies, as discussed in his most recent book, Formations. Images from Rocks. Previous books include Utzon, the only monograph written with full access to Jørn Utzon and his archive; Materials, Form and Architecture; Alvar Aalto, winner of the Sir Banister Fletcher Prize; and Modernism which received the International Book Award of the American Institute of Architects.