ScottishArchitecture.com

Over 600 delegates attended the events at the 2008 RIAS Convention which was held in and around Edinburgh from 8th – 10th May.

The annual event kicked off on Thursday 8th May with a seminar on the balance between conservation and sustainability, exploring the potential conflicts between the necessity to contain the best of Scotland’s built heritage while ensuring the viability and efficiency of our townscapes into the future.
 
The main plenary day on Friday 9th May at Edinburgh International Climbing Arena featured contributions from architects, artists, landscape designers and lighting experts. Among the highlights were the 86 year old surrealist artist George Wyllie’s denunciation of the money system; Charles Jencks on cosmological gardens; Alain de Botton’s careful exposition on aesthetics; and Peter Eisenman’s presentation of his personal principles towards achieving appropriate urban forms and relationships.

Honorary Fellowships were awarded to Charles Jencks and George Wyllie and Professors Andy MacMillan and Isi Metzstein received the first RIAS Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Arnie Dunn, President RIAS, commented: “It would be difficult to think of two more deserving recipients of a lifetime achievement award for Scottish architects than Andy MacMillan and Isi Metzstein. It is also appropriate that they are receiving the first ever RIAS Lifetime Achievement Awards. There are many prizes for architecture which recognise the qualities of an individual building. There are very few which consider the lifelong commitment to excellence in design which is acknowledged in this new award. Recognition from your peers is perhaps the greatest accolade anyone can receive."
 
"Andy MacMillan and Isi Metzstein have contributed immensely to Scotland’s built heritage and to the education of generations of architects. Their legacy is of world importance; that all this talent is allied in both Andy and Isi with self-deprecating humour and humility makes this award all the more special.”