The WongAvery Music Gallery in Trinity Hall has been recognised by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in a regional awards ceremony.
In a lengthy citation the jury for the RIBA East of England award noted the dedicated music practice and performance space “responds to its challenging context and technically demanding brief with exceptional rigour.”
It added that architect Niall McLaughlin had “created a space of calm, contemplative enjoyment for performers and audiences alike, supporting the ongoing musical life of the college.”
As part of the judging process RIBA visited the College earlier this year to view the music gallery. The citation notes: “The jury left the pavilion having absorbed a sense of calm unusual in any building. This is an admirable project in the way it has set out exceptional architectural ambitions and succeeded in seeing them through both design and construction with outstanding rigour and attention to detail.”
Speaking shortly after the gallery opened Andrew Arthur, Director of Music, explained how transformative the new building was for music-making: “This is a hugely significant moment in the musical life of Trinity Hall. The WongAvery Music Gallery provides a space of architectural beauty and acoustic distinction for musical training at the highest level, and will encourage generations of students to excel in their varied musical endeavours.”
The awards were announced last week. The WongAvery Music Gallery was among nine winners in the Eastern Region and will now go on to be considered in the national RIBA awards.
The transformation of the Avery Court was made possible through a donation from the Avery-Tsui Foundation. The Court was named after Dennis Avery in October 2006. Dennis was an alumnus (1980), Honorary Fellow and generous donor to Trinity Hall.
