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Alison Brooks

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For the United States Air Force aviator, seeAllison Brooks.For the archaeologist, seeAlison S. Brooks.
Alison Brooks
FRSARIBARDI
Alison Brooks a world renowned female architect studio at Highgate Studios, London.
Alison Brooks in studio at Highgate Studios, London.
Born1962 (age 61–62)
Welland, Ontario,Canada
Alma materUniversity of Waterloo
OccupationArchitect
PracticeAlison Brooks Architects
BuildingsExeter College Cohen Quadrangle (Oxford), Newhall Be (Harlow), Quarterhouse Performing Arts Centre (Folkestone), Accordia Brass Building and Sky Villas (Cambridge), Ely Court (London), Windward House (Gloucestershire), Salt House (Essex)
ProjectsThe Smile (Chelsea School of Art) and her two installations at theVenice Architecture Biennale
Websitewww.alisonbrooksarchitects.com

Alison Brooks,FRSA,RIBA,RDI(born 29 December 1962) is a Canadian-Britisharchitect.She is the founder and creative director of Alison Brooks Architects, based inLondon.Her awards include theRIBA Stirling Prize,Manser Medal, Stephen Lawrence Prize, andRIBA House of the Year.[1][2][3][4]

Her designs include theExeter CollegeCohen Quad atOxford University,[5]Smileat theChelsea College of Arts,[6]AccordiaBrass Building and Sky Villas, and Windward House.[7][8]In 2018 Brooks was invited to contribute to theVenice Architecture Biennale.[9]Alison Brooks Architects wonDezeenArchitect of the Year 2020.[10]

Biography and early career

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Brooks was born and lived her early years inWelland,Canada, but moved city inOntariotoGuelphwhere she attendedJohn F Ross high school.She finished her studies in architecture with a BES and BArch at theUniversity of Waterlooin 1988. Brooks moved to the UK and worked with designerRon Arad,becoming a partner at Ron Arad Associates in 1991. With Arad, Brooks co-designed the Foyer of theTel Aviv Opera.[11]Other projects included the restaurantsBelgoNoord and Belgo Centraal.[12]Alison Brooks founded her practice Alison Brooks Architects in 1996, receiving a breakout commission a year later to design a hotel interior on the German island of Helgoland.[13]

Private residences and housing

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Notable private residences completed in the 2000s include VXO House, Wrap House and Salt House.[14][15]Brooks' architecture of this period was described byJonathan Glanceyas "a late flowering of the most elegant and sensuous modernism".[16]

Alison Brooks Architects’ Sky Villas and Brass Building in the 2008 Stirling Prize-winningAccordia,Cambridge masterplan[17]paved the way for work in housing. Notable projects include theStirling Prize-shortlisted Newhall Be[18]Albert Crescent in Bath,[19]and the 2018Mies Van Der Rohe Awardfinalist Ely Court in London.[20]Residential projects currently under construction include Cadence Kings Cross and One Ashley Road in London, as well as Rubicon and Knight's Park in Cambridge.[21]

Windward House in Gloucester, also called House on the Hill, won both theRIBA House of the yearand theAJManser Medal in 2021.[22][23]Simon Allford,president of theRoyal Institute of British Architects,stated, "This is an extraordinary labour of love in architectural form. Every detail has been meticulously considered and exquisitely finished, resulting in a truly remarkable home that enhances its unique setting."[1]

Cultural and higher education buildings

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The Elliptical Cloisters ofExeter College, OxfordCohen Quadrangle (2017)

Quarterhouse inFolkestone,Brooks’ first building for the performing arts, was completed in 2009. The building's notable fluted meshcladdingwas inspired by the maritime iconography of Fokestone, the translucency of local scallop shells, and the stage curtains that the building would house.[24]Exeter College, Oxford’s 6000 square metre Cohen Quadrangle also featured an innovative cladding and opened its doors to students in 2017, winning multiple awards for education building design.[25][26]Rowan Moore,The Guardian’s architecture critic, described the new Quad as, ‘A tour de force that puts people first.’[27]

Design for the new entrance building and porters lodge ofHomerton College, Cambridgeis in its final stages.[28]Alison Brooks Architects was shortlisted, from close to 200 international expressions of interest, to redevelop theLondon School of Economics’ 43 Lincolns Inn Fields into the new Firoz Lalji Global Hub.[29]

Exhibitions, installations and furniture

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The Smileat theChelsea College of Arts,London Design Festival(2016)

‘The Smile’ was a Project for the 2016London Design Festival;a public pavilion in the Chelsea College of Art (UAL) Parade ground that showcased the structural and spatial potential of cross–laminated hardwood using American tulipwood.ARUPEngineer Andrew Lawrence described The Smile as, ‘The most complex CLT structure that has ever been built.’[30]For Brooks, it was the opportunity the stretch the new ‘wonder material’ to the limit whilst demonstrating that the 21st century is an era not of concrete, but of timber.[31]

Alison Brooks Architects has contributed to the International Architecture Exhibition ofLa Biennale di Veneziafour times. 'ReCasting', the practice's notable installation at the 2018 Biennale simulated the critical freespaces of work in housing as four inhabitable 'totems': Threshold, Inhabited Edge, Passage and Roofspace.[32]'Home Ground' was Alison Brooks Architects' contribution to the Biennale Architettura 2021 in Venice.[33]Situated in the Arsenale, the installation explored how housing defines the way we live together in cities; as households, and by sharing collective ground. The practice's work also featured in the central Biennale Pavilion's 'Future Assembly'.

In 2014 Brooks joined forces with furniture designer Felix de Pass to create a stool for the kitchen as part of a collaborative series for the London Design Festival.[34]

Housing as a social project

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Ely Court, London

Alison Brooks Architects have worked to advocate towards housing through community buildings by designingmixed-income housingprojects.[35]In the London borough of Brent, the Ely Court (completed in 2015) stands as a notable example. The rundown building was replaced with three mid-rise buildings filled with 43 residential rooms. Her design allows for increased social engagement, particularly by providing spaces open to the public. Other high density, low rise projects with affordable housing units include Newhall Be (Harlow) and Unity Place (London). Brooks advocates for "delivering along with new buildings a sense of civic pride and social rejuvenation,"[36]helping to aid and promote inclusiveness and social diversity.[37]"Housing is the social project of architecture, it frames everyday life; it forms people's world view," says Brooks.[11]

Awards and recognition

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Brooks is the only architect of the UK to have won all three of the RIBA awards:[38]the RIBA Stephen Lawrence Prize (for The Wrap House, in 2006),[39]the RIBA Manser Medal (in 2014 for the Lens House),and theRIBA Stirling Prizefor their part in the design ofAccordia,a high-density development of 378 residential rooms.[40]

In 2012, Alison Brooks was named Architect of the Year by Building Design Magazine.[3]In March 2013, Brooks received theArchitects' Journal's Woman Architect of the Year Award. One of the judges,Paul Monaghan,said: "Her mixture of sculpture, architecture and detail is what has made her such a powerful force in British architecture."[41]In 2020, Alison Brooks Architects was named Dezeen Architect of the Year, with the judges commenting, "A groundbreaking practice with great ethos – particularly the way that they question both norms and the profession itself."[1]

Alison Brooks Architects' Notable Awards[42]
Year Awards
2022
RIBA South Building of the Year – Exeter College Cohen Quad, OxfordM[43]
RIBA Regional Award – Exeter College Cohen Quad, Oxford
2021
RIBA House of the Year– Windward House, Gloucestershire[44]
RIBA National Award – Windward House, Gloucestershire[45]
Manser Medal – AJ House of the Year – Windward House, Gloucestershire[3]
Architecture MasterPrize – Exeter College Cohen Quad, Oxford[46]
Education Estates – Inspiring Learning Spaces – Exeter College Cohen Quad Oxford
Education Estates – University Project of the Year – Exeter College Cohen Quad Oxford
Building With Nature – Housing Design Awards – Knight’s Park Cambridge
2020
DezeenAwards — Architect of the Year 2020[47]
Civic Trust AwardsWinner
Building DesignArchitect of the Year Awards — Housing Architect of the Year
Building DesignArchitect of the Year Awards — Individual House Architect of the Year, Highly Commended
2018
Evening Standard New Homes Award – Best Regeneration Project – Kilburn Quarter London
RESI Awards – Development of the Year – Kilburn Quarter London
National Housing Awards – Best Design – Kilburn Quarter London
2017
Wood Awards – Structural Award – The Smile London
Shortlisted: Wood Awards – Small Architecture – The Smile London
World Architecture Festival – Display – The Smile London
The American Architecture Prize – Small Architecture – The Smile London
2016
Honor: Wood Design & Building Awards – The Smile London
Shortlisted: Sunday Times British Homes Awards – Albert Crescent Bath
RIBA National Award – Ely Court London
RIBA Regional Award – Ely Court London
2015
Commended: British Home Awards – Development of the Year – Albert Crescent Bath
Architizer A+ Award: Large Private House – Lens House London
2014
Shortlisted: RIBA Manser Medal – Lens House London
RIBA National Award – Lens House London
RIBA London Award – Lens House London
Grand Designs Award: Best Extension – Lens House London
London Evening Standard: Best Regeneration Project – South Acton Estate Regeneration: Phase 2aLondon
2013
Shortlisted: RIBA Stirling Prize – Newhall Be Harlow
Housing Design Awards 2013: Supreme Winner – Newhall Be Harlow
AJ Woman Architect of the Year 2013
RIBA National Award – Newhall Be Harlow
2012
BD Architect of the Year Gold Award
BD Housing Architect of the Year
2010
Kent Design Awards Best Public Building – Quarterhouse Folkestone
Audi Urban Future Award – Finalist – Audi Urban Future Initiative Venice / Mumbai
XII Venice Architecture Biennale – German Pavilion, Contributing Architect
Building For Life Gold Standard – Newhall Be Harlow
2009
British Home Awards: Small House of the Year – Newhall Be Harlow
Housing Design Awards: Project Award – Newhall Be Harlow
RIBA National Award – Quarterhouse Folkestone
RIBA South East Regional Award – Quarterhouse Folkestone
RIBA Stirling Prize Midlist – Quarterhouse Folkestone
2008
RIBA Stirling Prize –AccordiaMasterplan Cambridge
RIBA National Award –AccordiaMasterplan Cambridge
RIBA East Regional Award –AccordiaMasterplan Cambridge
2007
RIBA Manser Medal – Salt House Essex
RIBA National Award – Salt House Essex
RIBA East Regional Award – Salt House Essex
2006
RIBA Stephen Lawrence Prize – Wrap House London
RIBA National Award – Wrap House London
RIBA London Regional Award – Wrap House London
Housing Design Awards: Overall Winner –AccordiaMasterplan Cambridge
National Homebuilders Awards: Best Large Scale Housing Project –AccordiaMasterplan Cambridge
National Homebuilders Awards: Best Housing Project of the Year –AccordiaMasterplan Cambridge
2005
Shortlisted: Liverpool Affordable Housing Competition, Urban Splash
Shortlisted: Lister Mills, Bradford, Urban Design and Housing Competition for Urban Splash
2004
Competition second place – Old Street Oasis Islington, London
National Homebuilder Design Awards: Best Housing Project of the Year –AccordiaMasterplan Cambridge
Shortlisted: Housing at New Islington Urban Village Manchester
2003
Housing Design Award –AccordiaMasterplan Cambridge
Shortlisted: ICA New Galleries Competition
2002
RIBA London Regional Award – VXO House London
Finalist: Blueprint Architecture Awards – VXO House London
2000
HotelSpec European Awards: Best Interior Design – Atoll Spa Hotel Helgoland
HotelSpec European Awards: Best Guestroom Design – Atoll Spa Hotel Helgoland
Competition second prize: Hurlingham Park Sports Pavilion
1999
Competition first prize: Liverpool Rope Walks Street Furniture
Third prize: Corus/Building Design 'Young Architect of the Year'
Runner-up: Europan 5 'New Housing Landscapes'
1998
Competition second prize: 'Concept House '99' Daily Mail Ideal Home
Architecture Foundation Roadshow: 'Soundscape for Hammersmith'

Published works

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Brooks revealed some of her processes, techniques, and themes in her published workSynthesis: Culture and Contextin 2014.[48]

21 years after the founding of Alison Brooks Architects, Brooks publishedIdeals then Ideas.[49]

In 2018, theHarvard Business Reviewpublished an article co-authored by Brooks, "The Surprising Power of Questions: It Goes Far Beyond Exchanging Information."[50]

See also

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References

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  1. ^abc"RIBA House of the Year 2021 | Architecture Awards".www.architecture.com.RetrievedMay 17,2022.
  2. ^Manser Medal Jury (2007)."2007: The Salt House | The Manser Medal".RetrievedMay 13,2022.
  3. ^abc"2021: Windward House | The Manser Medal".RetrievedMay 13,2022.
  4. ^"Stephen Lawrence Prize: Alison Brooks Architects".The Stephen Lawrence Prize.RetrievedJune 21,2022.
  5. ^Moore, Rowan (November 28, 2021)."Buildings this good should be available everywhere: Oxford unveils two new quads".the Guardian.RetrievedMay 13,2022.
  6. ^Himmelfarb, Helen (July 29, 2016)."The Smile by Alison Brooks Architects Gives CLT a Boost".architectmagazine.com.RetrievedDecember 14,2021.
  7. ^"alison brooks accordia – Search".www.bing.com.RetrievedAugust 1,2022.
  8. ^"Alison Brooks Architects' House on the Hill is the 2021 RIBA House of the Year".ArchDaily.December 9, 2021.RetrievedAugust 1,2022.
  9. ^designboom, tim spears I. (May 27, 2018)."alison brooks architects recasts urban housing at venice architecture biennale".designboom | architecture & design magazine.RetrievedAugust 1,2022.
  10. ^"Alison Brooks Architects| Winner | Dezeen Awards 2020".Dezeen.RetrievedMay 17,2022.
  11. ^abRoux, Caroline (May 11, 2018)."Architect Alison Brooks: 'It's not about the next tall building'".Financial Times.RetrievedNovember 13,2018.
  12. ^Lerner, Kevin (July 25, 2001)."Alison Brooks: big ideas for Britain".Archived fromthe originalon March 17, 2006.
  13. ^"In conversation with... Alison Brooks".Parlour.November 21, 2019.RetrievedJune 24,2022.
  14. ^"Stephen Lawrence Prize: Wrap House".The Stephen Lawrence Prize.RetrievedJune 21,2022.
  15. ^Fairs, Marcus (December 16, 2007)."The Salt House by Alison Brooks Architects".Dezeen.RetrievedMay 16,2022.
  16. ^Glancey, JonathanPearl in the shell,The Guardian(London), December 5, 2005. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  17. ^"Accordia Masterplan | AJ Buildings Library".www.ajbuildingslibrary.co.uk.RetrievedJune 22,2022.
  18. ^"Newhall Be, Harlow / Exemplar Design | Essex Design Guide".www.essexdesignguide.co.uk.RetrievedMay 17,2022.
  19. ^"Albert Crescent".Alison Brooks Architects.RetrievedMay 17,2022.
  20. ^"EUMiesAward".miesarch.com.RetrievedMay 17,2022.
  21. ^"Residential Archives".Alison Brooks Architects.RetrievedMay 17,2022.
  22. ^"House on the Hill".www.architecture.com.RetrievedMay 17,2022.
  23. ^Wilson, Rob (November 17, 2021)."Alison Brooks wins 2021 Manser Medal – AJ House of the Year".The Architects’ Journal.RetrievedMay 17,2022.
  24. ^Sykes, Rachel (March 2, 2009)."Quarterhouse by Alison Brooks Architects".Dezeen.RetrievedMay 17,2022.
  25. ^"Cohen Quad wins Architecture MasterPrize award".Exeter College.December 3, 2021.RetrievedMay 17,2022.
  26. ^"Cohen Quadrangle wins Education Estates Awards".Exeter College.November 8, 2021.RetrievedMay 17,2022.
  27. ^"Buildings this good should be available everywhere: Oxford unveils two new quads".the Guardian.November 28, 2021.RetrievedMay 17,2022.
  28. ^"Alison Brooks Architects unveils mass timber entrance for Cambridge college".Dezeen.August 4, 2021.RetrievedAugust 1,2022.
  29. ^Jessel, Ella (February 16, 2022)."LSE unveils global talent in shortlist to design £120m academic building".The Architects’ Journal.RetrievedMay 17,2022.
  30. ^"Alison Brooks: The Smile | London Design Festival".www.londondesignfestival.com.RetrievedMay 17,2022.
  31. ^ceri.edmunds."The Smile".Alison Brooks Architects.RetrievedMay 17,2022.
  32. ^"alison brooks architects recasts urban housing at venice architecture biennale".designboom | architecture & design magazine.May 27, 2018.RetrievedMay 13,2022.
  33. ^Welch, Adrian (May 28, 2021)."Home Ground, Alison Brooks Architects in Venice".e-architect.RetrievedMay 13,2022.
  34. ^"Kitchen Stool".Alison Brooks Architects.RetrievedMay 13,2022.
  35. ^"Alison Brooks Architects – Architects with an international reputation for design excellence in projects ranging from masterplanning to buildings for education and the arts".Alison Brooks Architects.RetrievedNovember 13,2018.
  36. ^"What You Need to Know About Alison Brooks".Azure Magazine.RetrievedNovember 13,2018.
  37. ^"Alison Brooks Architects celebrates its 21st birthday".Caro Communications.May 3, 2016.
  38. ^"Alison Brooks".www.mchmaster.com.RetrievedJuly 16,2018.
  39. ^"Stephen Lawrence Prize".www.architecture.com.RetrievedJuly 16,2018.
  40. ^RIBA Stirling Prize 2008: AccordiaArchivedFebruary 4, 2012, at theWayback Machine,RIBA website. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  41. ^Christine Murray (ed.),AJ Woman Architect of the Year: Alison Brooks,Architects' Journal,March 28, 2013, p. 14.
  42. ^"Awards – Alison Brooks Architects".Alison Brooks Architects.RetrievedNovember 13,2018.
  43. ^"Cohen Quad Building of the Year".RetrievedJune 22,2022.
  44. ^"RIBA House of the Year 2021".RIBA Architecture.com.December 1, 2021.RetrievedDecember 14,2021.
  45. ^"5 outstanding RIBA 2021 National Award winners".Grand Designs Magazine.September 10, 2021.RetrievedJune 22,2022.
  46. ^"Cohen Quad, Exeter College, Oxford".architectureprize.com.RetrievedJune 22,2022.
  47. ^"Alison Brooks Architects| Winner | Dezeen Awards 2020".Dezeen.RetrievedJune 22,2022.
  48. ^Brooks, Alison (February 1, 2015).Synthesis: Culture and Context.Actarbirkhauser.ISBN978-1-908967-25-1.
  49. ^"Staff Archive – Alison Brooks Architects".Alison Brooks Architects.RetrievedNovember 13,2018.
  50. ^"The Surprising Power of Questions: It Goes Far Beyond Exchanging Information"(PDF).Harvard Business Review(May–June 2018 ed.).RetrievedDecember 7,2018.
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