Friends House wins architectural award

Large Meeting House refurbishment given Royal Institute of British Architecture London Award

The refurbished Large Meeting House at Friends House was among the winners of the Royal Institute of British Architecture (RIBA)’s London Award 2015.

RIBA described the refurbishment as ‘incisive in its approach’ and highlighted a number of key features. Among them are the roof light, which evokes the work of Quaker artist James Turrell, and the thoughtful retention of original features, such as the doorkeepers’ seats.

‘We are delighted at this public recognition for the transformed Large Meeting House, following its warm reception by Friends at Yearly Meeting. We hope that its increased flexibility will enable it to become an all-year-round space for Friends’ witness and worship,’ Rowena Loverance, co-clerk of the Large Meeting House Project Board, told the Friend.

Rowena’s sentiments were echoed by Paul Parker, recording clerk of Britain Yearly Meeting. He said: ‘It‘s great news that Friends House, which won a RIBA award in 1927, has won another for the sensitive refurbishment of our Large Meeting House. It’s now a remarkable and inspiring space, which works for worship and Quaker business, as well as for other users of Friends House.’

---

Comments

Please login to add a comment