-
Regions of Gloucestershire
-
What's On / Events
-
Things to Do
-
Food & Drink
-
Where to Stay
-
Offers & Competitions
Event Search
Places Search
Explore Home > Gloucestershire Tourism & Entertainment News > Explore Gloucestershire News & Reviews ArchivePlaces Search
Event Search
News
Get More from Explore!
The Wilson wins a national architecture award
The Wilson, Cheltenham’s art gallery and museum, follows its two RIBA South West 2014 architecture awards with a third award from RIBA, this time at the national level - and this is again in recognition of the striking new building, designed by architects Berman Guedes Stretton. The awards are to highlight the best examples of design across the UK. The Wilson, which was up against over 500 entries to the competition, is now in the company of other major UK buildings who won; such as the new Library of Birmingham, the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth and Tate Britain, Millbank Project.
The rebuilding of The Wilson was one of most significant development projects that Cheltenham has had for many years, costing in the region of £6.3 million. The new building is light and spacious with a focus on providing practical and versatile areas within which a variety of work can be displayed. Since reopening in October 2013, over 130,000 visitors have been through the doors at The Wilson, and many have commented on how successful they feel the rebuild has been, and importantly, how well they feel the collections are interpreted and displayed.
Four new floors house a gallery dedicated to The Wilson’s extensive fine art collection, space to discover more about local heroes, including the great Edward Wilson (one of Scott’s key men on his 1912 expedition to Antarctica), a re-interpreted Arts and Crafts gallery (showing the world-renowned designated collection), and two superb temporary exhibition galleries – for showing national and international touring shows, special highlights from the collections and fun shows for families.
The reopening was celebrated with the arrival in February of Rodin’s famous ‘The Kiss’ sculpture which took pride of place in the new Atrium area of the ground floor, and then by an official opening by Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester on 30th May 2014.
Councillor Rowena Hay responded by saying, “This is very exciting news. We’ve been really pleased with all the positive attention The Wilson has received since its reopening, and to get an award of this calibre for the building at so high a level is the icing on the cake, and something for the whole town of Cheltenham to be proud of.”
Jane Lillystone, Museum, Arts & Tourism Manager comments: “We are over the moon with the news that The Wilson has won a RIBA National Award – to have the building, and the work of Berman Guedes Stretton, recognised in this way alongside such fantastic buildings like Tate Britain and the London Aquatics Centre is a real accolade.”
Explore Gloucestershire
26 June 2014
For further information.
- Also see : The Wilson
OTHER NEWS
- The Webb Ellis Cup on display at Gloucester Cathedral
- Westonbirt partnership with Woodland Adventurers
- Offer of the Week: One FREE child entry at Dean Heritage Centre
- The day "The Tour of Britain" came to Gloucestershire
- Offer of the Week: £5 lunch deal at Sebz
- Spectacular autumn colour predicted for beautiful Batsford Arboretum
- Offer of the Week: 5% off Events at the Mercure Gloucester Bowden Hall Hotel
- Bumper baby joy for threatened voles at WWT Slimbridge
- Restaurant Review: The Hatherley Manor Hotel
- A month of art at Hidcote
- Slithery deliveries: Reptile baby boom at Cotswold Wildlife Park
- Chedworth ‘time team’ digs deep
- Offer of the Week: FREE child entry to Birdland Park and Gardens
- Planning ahead: Thought about an autumn break in Gloucestershire?
- New nesting site for Flamingos at Birdland
- Gloucester Cathedral Commemorates WWI
- WWT Slimbridge: Otters keeping cool with Fish Lollies!
- Offer of the Week: One FREE child entry to Cotswold Farm Park
- Latest from the 2014 Hobgoblin Cheltenham Comedy Festival
- Summer Fun at Birdland Park & Gardens
- Donald Duck opens new shop at WWT Slimbridge
- Keeper takes chick under her wing at Cotswold Wildlife Park
- Kids roam for free at Westonbirt!
- Tapas on the Terrace & Chef's Cook Club
- The dinosaurs are coming to The Wilson in Cheltenham
- The Beach is back at Taurus Crafts
- Sell-out Air Tattoo for Reds' 50th Season
- Announcing a completely unique tour in the North Cotswolds
- Offer of the Week: 2 for 1 admission at Nature in Art
- Everyman rediscovers lost World War One novel by local poet F.W. Harvey
- First arrivals touch down for Air Tattoo
- Disney brings PLANES 2 the Air Tattoo!
- New Cascades - Proposed leisure centre plans set to be unveiled to public
- Cotswold Wildlife Park celebrates first birthday of Rhino baby
- Cottage of the Week: Stepping Stone Barn, Nailsworth
- New webcam at Birdland installed by Explore Gloucestershire
- Offer of the Week: 18 holes for the price of 9 at Shipton
- Summer School Holiday Events in Gloucestershire
- The Wilson wins a national architecture award
- Great Summer Offer at Whitemead Forest Park
- Offer of the Week: 20% discount for The Cotswold Show 2014
- CONGRATULATIONS: Photo competition winner receives prizes
- Offer of the Week: £2 Entry to Gloucester Waterways Museum
- BBC Countryfile to attend The 2014 Cotswold Show
- Cottage of the Week: The Hen House, Staunton, Nr. Gloucester
- Cotswold Wildlife Park opens its doors for a night to remember
- Local legend of the Kiting World opens new shop at Beechwood
- Cottage of the Week: The Old Cart House, Naunton, Nr. Stow-on-the-Wold
- REVIEW: The Full Monty at the Everyman Theatre
