'Andy and Isi' Honored with RIBA Annie Spink Award 2008

Professor Andrew MacMillan and Professor Isi Metzstein have been named as joint winners of the RIBA Annie Spink Award for Excellence in Architectural Education.

Established in 2000, the biennial award is open to individuals who have made a significant contribution to architectural education. It is open to teachers (individuals or groups) working on any RIBA recognized course, who have been involved in teaching and the development of architectural education.

Nominated together, Andrew MacMillan and Isi Metzstein (known through the architectural profession as “Andy and Isi”) began their teaching careers in the 1960s. During the 1980s, Andrew headed the Mackintosh School of Architecture in Glasgow and Isi became Forbes Professor and Head of School at Edinburgh University School of Architecture. Both continued to work together, visiting the others’ school as visiting lecturers and tutors. They have made major contributions to curriculum development at University College Dublin, the Mackintosh and Edinburgh University, and have been external examiners at over 20 RIBA validated schools. In addition, Andrew was also a long time member of the RIBA Education Committee and a member of RIBA Council from 1971-1987 and Vice President of Education from 1981-1985. 

The chair of the judging panel, Simon Allford, RIBA Vice-President for Education said: “The judges were unanimous in their verdict. Andy and Isi’s contribution to education and they established architectural excellence for a decade at the Mackintosh School of Architecture, a huge achievement and influence for the future.”

Andrew MacMillan and Isi Metzstein have been presented with the Annie Spink trophy and a cheque for £5,000 each at the President’s Medals Awards ceremony at the RIBA in London today.

Professor Andrew MacMillan was Professor of Architecture at Glasgow University and Head of the Mackintosh School of Architecture, 1973 to 1994. MacMillan studied at Glasgow School of Art while working for Glasgow Corporation’s Housing Department and the East Kilbride New Town Development Corporation during the 1950s. He joined the architects Gillespie, Kidd & Coia in 1954 and became a partner in 1966. He continued to work as a consultant architect after leaving the firm in 1988. Among many awards, MacMillan has won the RIBA Award for Architecture on four occasions and the Royal Scottish Academy Gold Medal in 1975. He has been a member of several public bodies, including the Scottish Arts Council, 1978 to 1982, and he was awarded the OBE in 1992.

Professor Isi Metzstein began teaching part-time at the GSA in 1969, for nearly 40 years. He taught at University College Dublin between 1976 – 84 and the Architectural Association in London between 1978 – 80, becoming Forbes Professor and head of the school of architecture at the University of Edinburgh until 1991. He has lectured, taught and examined internationally. He received the Royal Scottish Academy Gold Medal for Architecture in 1975 and is an honorary fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects. Isi was a member of the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland from 1978-9 and a member of the Scottish Arts Council & Visual Arts Committee from 1985-91.