Mareel, Gareth Hoskins Architects designed Cinema and Music venue in Shetland was awarded both RIAS Regional and RIBA National awards at the annual RIAS awards ceremony on Wednesday night (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. Set in a prominent quayside area in Lerwick it incorporates: a live performance auditorium, two cinema screens, rehearsal rooms, recording studio, education and training spaces, a digital media production suite, broadcast facilities and a cafe bar.

Judges included RIAS President Iain Connelly, Dr Joyce Deans CBE PPRIAS, Lori McElroy MBE, Kathy Li of the Mackintosh School of Architecture and Roger Stephenson OBE, representing RIBA.

In their citation the judges said of Mareel: “Set on an historic waterfront site, this is an important cultural facility. This building embraces theatre, cinema and performance, reflecting and encouraging creativity.”

As recipient of a RIBA National Award Mareel is longlisted for the RIBA Stirling Prize, the UK’s most coveted architectural award.