This puts Garsington Opera Pavilion among the RIBA Award winners from which the shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for Building of the Year will be drawn, but it is not the only RIBA prize the project has received. Other Awards include RIBA Regional Building of the Year Award, sponsored by Ibstock Brick, and - happily for Garsington Opera themselves - RIBA Regional Client of the Year.
RIBA President Angela Brady said: "For nearly fifty years the RIBA Awards have reflected the changing state of British architecture and revealed emerging design trends. What really stands out is that even in times of austerity, we can still deliver amazingly clever, high quality buildings that reflect the needs of today and enhance our daily lives. The judges were delighted to see so many well considered, crafted and innovative projects, and the use of beautiful materials; these projects are truly exciting and inspiring. The huge range of great buildings will guarantee an exciting RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist later in the year and illustrates the value of quality in architecture."
As the main contractor working directly to Garsington Opera, Unusual Rigging conceived an innovative design which realised the architect's vision as well as the client's wishes to have a building which they could dismantle and re-build on a seasonal basis, or leave in place if they so wished.
Unusual Rigging won a PLASA Rock Our World Award for Garsington Opera Pavilion in 2011.
(Jim Evans)
