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Alison Brooks

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For the United States Air Force aviator, see Allison Brooks. For the archaeologist, see Alison S. Brooks.

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

Alison Brooks
FRSA RIBA RDI
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 the Venice Architecture Biennale
Websitewww.alisonbrooksarchitects.com

Her designs include the Exeter College Cohen Quad at Oxford University,[5] Smile at the Chelsea College of Arts,[6] Accordia Brass Building and Sky Villas, and Windward House.[7][8] In 2018 Brooks was invited to contribute to the Venice Architecture Biennale.[9] Alison Brooks Architects won Dezeen Architect of the Year 2020.[10]

Biography and early career

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Brooks was born and lived her early years in Welland, Canada, but moved city in Ontario to Guelph where she attended John F Ross high school. She finished her studies in architecture with a BES and BArch at the University of Waterloo in 1988. Brooks moved to the UK and worked with designer Ron Arad, becoming a partner at Ron Arad Associates in 1991. With Arad, Brooks co-designed the Foyer of the Tel Aviv Opera.[11] Other projects included the restaurants Belgo Noord 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 by Jonathan Glancey as "a late flowering of the most elegant and sensuous modernism".[16]

Alison Brooks Architects’ Sky Villas and Brass Building in the 2008 Stirling Prize-winning Accordia, Cambridge masterplan[17] paved the way for work in housing. Notable projects include the Stirling Prize-shortlisted Newhall Be[18] Albert Crescent in Bath,[19] and the 2018 Mies Van Der Rohe Award finalist 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 the RIBA House of the year and the AJ Manser Medal in 2021.[22][23] Simon Allford, president of the Royal 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 of Exeter College, Oxford Cohen Quadrangle (2017)

Quarterhouse in Folkestone, Brooks’ first building for the performing arts, was completed in 2009. The building's notable fluted mesh cladding was 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 of Homerton College, Cambridge is in its final stages.[28] Alison Brooks Architects was shortlisted, from close to 200 international expressions of interest, to redevelop the London School of Economics’ 43 Lincolns Inn Fields into the new Firoz Lalji Global Hub.[29]

Exhibitions, installations and furniture

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The Smile at the Chelsea College of Arts, London Design Festival (2016)

‘The Smile’ was a Project for the 2016 London 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. ARUP Engineer 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 of La Biennale di Venezia four 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 designing mixed-income housing projects.[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 the RIBA Stirling Prize for their part in the design of Accordia, 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 the Architects' 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
Dezeen Awards — Architect of the Year 2020[47]
Civic Trust Awards Winner
Building Design Architect of the Year Awards — Housing Architect of the Year
Building Design Architect 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 – Accordia Masterplan Cambridge
RIBA National Award – Accordia Masterplan Cambridge
RIBA East Regional Award – Accordia Masterplan 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 – Accordia Masterplan Cambridge
National Homebuilders Awards: Best Large Scale Housing Project – Accordia Masterplan Cambridge
National Homebuilders Awards: Best Housing Project of the Year – Accordia Masterplan 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 – Accordia Masterplan Cambridge
Shortlisted: Housing at New Islington Urban Village Manchester
2003
Housing Design Award – Accordia Masterplan 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 work Synthesis: Culture and Context in 2014.[48]

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

In 2018, the Harvard Business Review published 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. ^ a b c "RIBA House of the Year 2021 | Architecture Awards". www.architecture.com. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  2. ^ Manser Medal Jury (2007). "2007: The Salt House | The Manser Medal". Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "2021: Windward House | The Manser Medal". Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  4. ^ "Stephen Lawrence Prize: Alison Brooks Architects". The Stephen Lawrence Prize. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  5. ^ Moore, Rowan (November 28, 2021). "Buildings this good should be available everywhere: Oxford unveils two new quads". the Guardian. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  6. ^ Himmelfarb, Helen (July 29, 2016). "The Smile by Alison Brooks Architects Gives CLT a Boost". architectmagazine.com. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  7. ^ "alison brooks accordia – Search". www.bing.com. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  8. ^ "Alison Brooks Architects' House on the Hill is the 2021 RIBA House of the Year". ArchDaily. December 9, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  9. ^ designboom, tim spears I. (May 27, 2018). "alison brooks architects recasts urban housing at venice architecture biennale". designboom | architecture & design magazine. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  10. ^ "Alison Brooks Architects| Winner | Dezeen Awards 2020". Dezeen. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  11. ^ a b Roux, Caroline (May 11, 2018). "Architect Alison Brooks: 'It's not about the next tall building'". Financial Times. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  12. ^ Lerner, Kevin (July 25, 2001). "Alison Brooks: big ideas for Britain". Archived from the original on March 17, 2006.
  13. ^ "In conversation with ... Alison Brooks". Parlour. November 21, 2019. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  14. ^ "Stephen Lawrence Prize: Wrap House". The Stephen Lawrence Prize. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  15. ^ Fairs, Marcus (December 16, 2007). "The Salt House by Alison Brooks Architects". Dezeen. Retrieved May 16, 2022.
  16. ^ Glancey, Jonathan Pearl in the shell, The Guardian (London), December 5, 2005. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  17. ^ "Accordia Masterplan | AJ Buildings Library". www.ajbuildingslibrary.co.uk. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  18. ^ "Newhall Be, Harlow / Exemplar Design | Essex Design Guide". www.essexdesignguide.co.uk. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  19. ^ "Albert Crescent". Alison Brooks Architects. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  20. ^ "EUMiesAward". miesarch.com. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  21. ^ "Residential Archives". Alison Brooks Architects. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  22. ^ "House on the Hill". www.architecture.com. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  23. ^ Wilson, Rob (November 17, 2021). "Alison Brooks wins 2021 Manser Medal – AJ House of the Year". The Architects’ Journal. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  24. ^ Sykes, Rachel (March 2, 2009). "Quarterhouse by Alison Brooks Architects". Dezeen. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  25. ^ "Cohen Quad wins Architecture MasterPrize award". Exeter College. December 3, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  26. ^ "Cohen Quadrangle wins Education Estates Awards". Exeter College. November 8, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  27. ^ "Buildings this good should be available everywhere: Oxford unveils two new quads". the Guardian. November 28, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  28. ^ "Alison Brooks Architects unveils mass timber entrance for Cambridge college". Dezeen. August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  29. ^ Jessel, Ella (February 16, 2022). "LSE unveils global talent in shortlist to design £120m academic building". The Architects’ Journal. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  30. ^ "Alison Brooks: The Smile | London Design Festival". www.londondesignfestival.com. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  31. ^ ceri.edmunds. "The Smile". Alison Brooks Architects. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  32. ^ "alison brooks architects recasts urban housing at venice architecture biennale". designboom | architecture & design magazine. May 27, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  33. ^ Welch, Adrian (May 28, 2021). "Home Ground, Alison Brooks Architects in Venice". e-architect. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
  34. ^ "Kitchen Stool". Alison Brooks Architects. Retrieved May 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. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  36. ^ "What You Need to Know About Alison Brooks". Azure Magazine. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  37. ^ "Alison Brooks Architects celebrates its 21st birthday". Caro Communications. May 3, 2016.
  38. ^ "Alison Brooks". www.mchmaster.com. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  39. ^ "Stephen Lawrence Prize". www.architecture.com. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
  40. ^ RIBA Stirling Prize 2008: Accordia Archived February 4, 2012, at the Wayback 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. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  43. ^ "Cohen Quad Building of the Year". Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  44. ^ "RIBA House of the Year 2021". RIBA Architecture.com. December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  45. ^ "5 outstanding RIBA 2021 National Award winners". Grand Designs Magazine. September 10, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  46. ^ "Cohen Quad, Exeter College, Oxford". architectureprize.com. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  47. ^ "Alison Brooks Architects| Winner | Dezeen Awards 2020". Dezeen. Retrieved June 22, 2022.
  48. ^ Brooks, Alison (February 1, 2015). Synthesis: Culture and Context. Actarbirkhauser. ISBN 978-1-908967-25-1.
  49. ^ "Staff Archive – Alison Brooks Architects". Alison Brooks Architects. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
  50. ^ "The Surprising Power of Questions: It Goes Far Beyond Exchanging Information" (PDF). Harvard Business Review (May–June 2018 ed.). Retrieved December 7, 2018.
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