The award is made each year by Scotland's national Architecture and Design Centre to an individual or organisation for their contribution to the nation’s built environment.
"Ian Wall was an inspired client," says Morag Bain, Director of ACCESS to Architecture and Chair of the Judging panel. "Throughout his years with City of Edinburgh Council and EDI he showed a great determination to ensure quality developments and commitment to raising the profile of good architecture. We felt that as he moved on from EDI it was an appropriate time to recognise the valuable contribution he has made to Scotland's architectural landscape through his bold commissioning policy."
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Acting Chief Executive of EDI, John Mark Di Ciacca, said: "Ian's contribution to the built environment is well known among those who have worked with him. The award is well deserved and reflects the huge personal commitment and energy he demonstrated during his years with EDI, the organisation that he helped to establish 20 years ago. Most recently Ian's commitment to exploring shared surfaces has permitted EDI to develop an entirely new approach to modelling successful streets and public realm."
While working for The EDI Group, Ian Wall helped to deliver a number of major developments in Edinburgh including Edinburgh Park, described by the British Council of Offices as "one of the best business parks in Europe". He created and established the 15-year programme to reinvent Craigmillar, one of Scotland's most deprived areas.
"Making good buildings is not difficult if the client has the commitment and determination to do so and has a design team similarly committed," says Ian Wall. "I receive this award, for which I am truly grateful, only because I have had the privilege of working with a great team at EDI alongside great architects, landscape architects and professional teams."
The presentation ceremony took place on Friday 22 August, followed by a keynote lecture by Ian Wall entitled Working spaces: Living spaces. An exhibition of winning and shortlisted projects is on show at The Lighthouse until 3 September 2008.
(GK/JM)
