WongAvery Music Gallery wins prestigious national architectural award

Designed by Níall McLaughlin Architects, the WongAvery Music Gallery was officially opened in 2022 by HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO. The Gallery is an inspiring hub for music practice and performance, hosting intimate events and providing a purpose-built space for musical endeavour.

The national award comes after the Gallery’s win in RIBA’s East of England category earlier in the year. In a lengthy citation, the jury for the 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 Níall McLaughlin had “created a space of calm, contemplative enjoyment for performers and audiences alike, supporting the ongoing musical life of the college.”

Mary Hockaday, Master of Trinity Hall, said: “As we approach our 675th anniversary, Trinity Hall continues to add to its rich architectural heritage and to support cultural as well as academic life. Through generous philanthropy, we were able to commission a profound and beautiful building and this award is a great honour.”

RIBA National Award 2024 winners will now be considered for the highly coveted RIBA Stirling Prize for the best building project of the year in recognition of their architectural excellence, the shortlist of which will be announced on 31 July.

The WongAvery Music Gallery was made possible through a generous donation from the Avery-Tsui Foundation. Dennis Avery was an alumnus (1980), Honorary Fellow and donor to Trinity Hall. The WongAvery family are the subjects of a new portrait by renowned artist Alastair Adams, depicting the family in the room that overlooks the WongAvery Music Gallery.