Mareel was one of only five Scottish projects to receive a RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) National Award for architectural excellence and is now shortlisted for RIBA’s top award, the Stirling Prize. The building also won an award from the Royal ­Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS), announced at the RIAS Awards’ Ceremony in Edinburgh last night (Weds 12 June).

Managed by Shetland Arts Development Agency, the leading arts agency in Shetland, Mareel is the UK’s most northerly music, cinema and creative industries centre.

The building, designed by Gareth Hoskins Architects, is situated in a prominent quayside area in Lerwick, adjacent to the Shetland Museum and Archives and incorporates: a live performance auditorium, two cinema screens, rehearsal rooms, a recording studio, education and training spaces, a digital media production suite, broadcast facilities and a cafe bar with free, high speed wi-fi internet access.

Providing a year round programme of film, live music, education and other performance events, Mareel is a hub and a focus for the creative communities not just in Shetland but beyond, and a catalyst for the creative industry sector in Shetland.

RIBA president Angela Brady said: “Risk-taking is not for the faint-hearted in recessionary times, but amongst this year’s crop of truly exceptional buildings I am delighted to see such a variety of projects doing just that.”

Shetland Arts’ Marketing Officer, Lisa Ward, said: “Mareel is an exceptional building and we are proud to see it acknowledged by these national institutes for architectural excellence.”

The winner of the Stirling Prize will be announced on 26 September in London.

Source: Shetland Arts