ARCHITECTURAL IRONMONGERY
AI Specification Awards launch global search for excellence
» A SEARCH FOR THE WORLD ’ S BEST architectural ironmongery projects and products has been launched by The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers ( GAI ) and Royal Institute of British Architects ( RIBA ).
Architects , specifiers , building contractors , clients and their architectural ironmongery advisers and suppliers are being urged to submit entries to the AI Specification Awards 2024 .
These biennial awards are designed to identify and reward excellence in the specification of architectural ironmongery in the construction industry , and the design and innovation of new products .
Announcing the launch , GAI President Mario Del-Signore said : “ The AI Specification Awards hold a unique and prestigious place in this industry because they consider and reward every aspect of excellence in architectural ironmongery .
“ That means that when considering the effectiveness of a project ’ s architectural ironmongery specification , the judges are looking not just at the contribution it makes to aesthetics , functionality and longevity , but also how it enhances and assures the security , accessibility and safety of the building .
“ The winners truly represent the best that architectural ironmongery has to offer , and make this a fitting celebration of the finest work in our industry .”
The AI Specification Awards comprise nine categories :
• Public and Commercial ( sponsored by ASSA Abloy );
• Hospitality ( sponsored by Dormakaba );
• Health and Education ( sponsored by FireDNA );
• Residential ( sponsored by Frank Allart );
• International ( sponsored by Norseal );
• Product Design and Innovation – Mechanical ( sponsored by CES );
• Product Design and Innovation – Electronic ( sponsored by ADSA );
• Ethos Award ( sponsored by Codelocks ); and
• Winner of Winners ( sponsored by GEZE , and chosen by the judges from the previous project categories ).
The Ethos Award is a new category for 2024 . Celebrating ironmongery specifications which reflect the professional skill of the ironmonger in challenging circumstances , the award is designed to honour all types of projects and specified products , not purely those which may be seen as prestige or premium . Entries for the Ethos Award will be asked to demonstrate how the specification had to go the extra mile in response to challenges such as budgetary restraints or finding a bespoke solution to a unique or unusually difficult problem .
Introducing the new Ethos Award , GAI Chief Executive Simon Forrester said : “ By demonstrating the skill of the architectural ironmonger or team in identifying solutions to challenging situations , the Ethos Award broadens our understanding of professional competence , excellence and best practice , making it a welcome addition to 2024 ’ s competition .”
To be eligible for these awards , projects and products must have been either completed or released on to the market between 1 October 2021 and 30 September 2023 . Nominations can be made by GAI members , RIBA members , or for any project in which a Registered Architectural Ironmonger ( RegAI ) was involved . Nominations open on 6 June and close on 1 December 2023 .
Projects will be visited and scrutinised by experienced assessors , with judges then looking at the scope of works , the suitability of the architectural ironmongery and its fitness for purpose , its compliance with relevant regulations and standards , and its aesthetic excellence . The winners will be announced at a prestigious awards ceremony in London in April 2024 .
The judging panel consists of architects , designers , specifiers and manufacturers as follows : Yohannes Bereket ( Adjaye Associates ); Dr Vanessa Brady OBE ( The Society of British & International Interior Design ); Donna Davison ( Hoppe UK ); Tim Dies ( Allgood plc ); Amanda Haley ( Ian Firth Hardware Ltd ); Jonathan Hall ( Allford Hall Monaghan Morris ); and Eryl Jones ( ASSA Abloy ).
Simon Forrester added : “ The diversity of the judging panel reflects the increasingly collaborative nature of construction best practice .
“ By recognising and celebrating the whole team , these awards highlight the importance of effective partnerships between designers , specifiers and architectural ironmongers , and the role that such collaborations play in achieving project excellence .”
For more information , and to enter the AI Specification Awards 2024 , visit www . gai . org . uk / specificationawards
28
JULY 2023
locksmithjournal . co . uk Issue Takeover
Magazine Sponsor