AT THE Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBS) event in Belfast on March 23, Bude architect and co-founder of the Eden Project, Jonathan Ball, was presented with the Honorary Fellowship of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS).

The honour is given to those who, in the view of the council of the RIAS, have made an outstanding contribution to the arts, culture, literature, music, science or public life of Scotland or to international architects.

Mr Ball was awarded the Incorporate’s Honorary Fellowship for his contribution to Celtic culture and to Cornwall.

He was the co-founder of the Eden Project and successfully ran his own practice in his hometown of Bude. He is also an accomplished author, bard, choirmaster, former RNLI lifeboatman, and an after-dinner speaker. He received international recognition for having the vision and drive to co-create the Eden Project and gain significant millennium funding against all odds.

He has served the RIBA council on numerous occasions since 1981 and was last elected to serve in 2015. He was awarded an MBE for services to architecture in 1992 and as well as promoting the profession through the RIBA, Mr Ball has been a longstanding members and office bearer of the Worshipful Company of Chartered Architects — a modern livery company that promotes quality architecture in the City of London and the architectural profession globally through an extensive education and awards programme.

A proud Cornishman, Mr Ball is a member of the Celtic Fringe and in 2002 he was appointed bard of Gorsedh Kernow. He was also an RNLI lifeboatman from 1966 to 2007, on the RNLI council from 2007 to 2013 and was awarded the Queens Golden Jubilee medal for services to the RNLI in 2002.

Mr Ball was one of six to receive the honour at a special event held in Belfast. The award was jointly presented by RIAS president Stewart Henderson and RIBA council member Fraser Middleton.