The Baltic, Gateshed

Winners

Dominic Williams with Ellis Williams Partnership

Process

Two stage open design competition to convert the Baltic Flour Mill into an international contemporary arts venue.

Our involvement

• Designing the right competitive process
• Researching and identifying potential competitors to alert to the competition
• Advertising the competition
• Writing the competition rules
• Appointing an Architect Assessor to write the competition brief
• Planning the competition timetable and budget to meet client requirements
• Acting as point of contact for the competition
• Ensuring a clear and ethical process
• Briefing the jury panel
• Briefing competitors
• Managing the competitive process
• Maintaining confidentiality
• Assisting with press and media enquiries and coverage
• Competition administration
• Debriefing and follow up

Facts

• This was probably the last truly open design competition held in the UK. The competition was held anonymously with the identity of the winning team not revealed to the selection of the winner had been made.
• This was a key infrastructure project in Gateshead and was part of the decision by the Council to redevelop the run down area of the South bank of the River Tyne.
• The vision was to create a cultural quarter on the bank of the River Tyne and the initial project involved the conversion of the Baltic flour mill which had been redundant since 1982.
• The competition was widely advertised to attract international as well as national and local firms.
• As part of the competition brief the north and south facades of the original building were kept whilst the interior of the building was completely reformed and configured to provide six main exhibition floors.
• This project has received a number of awards including RIBA Award 2003 and Civic Trust Award 2004