The Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) conferred four awards on Rochdale Town Hall including the North West Award, the North West Project Architect of the Year, North West Client of the Year and the North West Conservation Award.
Robinson said: “This exceptional level of recognition is a powerful endorsement of Rochdale’s ambition and belief in the long-term value of regeneration led by heritage, culture and quality.
“Managing the restoration of Rochdale Town Hall on behalf of the council was a complex and demanding task, but one driven by a clear vision to return this extraordinary building to the people of Rochdale and use it as a catalyst for wider renewal.
“These awards show that Rochdale can deliver projects of national and international significance, and they reinforce the Town Hall’s role as a symbol of confidence, pride and opportunity for the borough.”
Chairman of RIBA North West jury, Pablo Iglesias, said: “Visiting this year’s award-winning projects revealed a body of work distinguished by skill, craft, and a clear responsiveness to context.
“The rural projects offer exemplary models for the conversion of agricultural buildings, combining restraint with spatial invention.”
The “comprehensive” restoration of the town hall is “matched by a step change in accessibility and engagement, reopening the building as an inclusive civic place and shared community asset”, he added.
RIBA North West Award winners will now be considered for a RIBA National Award which will be announced on 9 July.
The shortlist for the RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building of the year will be drawn from the RIBA National Award-winning projects later in the year.
