Winner – Whitchurch Silk Mill, Hampshire. Application Hampshire County Council Property Services
Joint runner up – Kew Gardens Great Pagoda, London. Application Austin Smith Lord
Joint runner up – Mackintosh at The Willow, Glasgow. Application Clark Contracts
Highly Commended – London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, Barking Town Hall Refurbishment. Application Barnes Construction
Highly Commended – Middlesbrough Town Hall. Application Atkins
Whitchurch Silk Mill
Client – Hampshire County Council
Full Design Team – Hampshire County Council Property Services
Contractor – Mountjoy
The approach to the conservation works of this 1815 Grade 2* listed silk mill was one of minimal intervention, repairing only damaged or decayed areas of the fabric of the building, and undertaking any new works in a sensitive and discreet way. Design interventions were judged relative to the sensitivity of each element and repairs were undertaken using traditional methods and materials. A modern extension to the existing shop enabled the creation of enhanced retail, ticketing and café facilities, and is clad in a palette of zinc and black timber. It is recessive in scale, preserving clear views of the of the mill. As a result of the project there is now a secure future for Whitchurch Silk Mill, not only as a visitor attraction, but also a source of employment for the local community, where traditional silk weaving skills are kept alive in an inspiring and beautiful location.
Kew Gardens Great Pagoda, London
Client – Historic Royal Palaces
Architect – Austin Smith Lord
M&E Engineer – Chapman BDSP
Surveyor – Moreham & Brotchie
Contractor – Blue Sky Building
This £5m renovation project of the Pagoda was part of a wider strategy to get visitors to visit more remote areas of the gardens. This has proved highly successful and has supported the development of other initiatives of Kew on nearby sites. After being inaccessible for the public with decades of neglect and decline, the pagoda now has ticketed public access and generates an income for Kew. The judges were impressed with the project’s vision, design and delivery team on every level, the careful management of risk, keeping within budget targets, quality of restoration and to top it all the legacy it offers in terms of specialist conservation knowledge gained being published as a result.
Mackintosh at The Willow, Glasgow
Client – The Willow Tea Rooms Trust
Architect – Simpson & Brown
PM & Surveyor – Doig & Smith
Contractor – Clark Contracts
Over a hundred years on from its original opening in 1903, the restoration of the tea rooms has brought back to life, not just a tearoom for somewhere to enjoy tea or coffee, but more an experience enriched by the magnificent details of the interior. Much thought, research and consultation between the design team and the client has resulted in high standards of materials being used throughout in order to restore the interiors to those originally designed by Mackintosh and his wife, Margaret MacDonald. The restoration and refurbishment was able to use the property next door to provide conference and educational facilities, a gift shop and make the building meet current legislation for access and safety, allowing visitors to enjoy the use of the upper floors such as the Salon-De-Luxe which itself has been restored with unrelenting attention to detail.