THE EXPERIENCE
RIBA SUFFOLK - DESIGN AWARDS
RIBA Suffolk Design and Craftsmanship Awards 2024
RIBA Suffolk are pleased to invite entries for the annual RIBA Suffolk Design and Craftsmanship Awards 2024 which aim to celebrate the best architecture in the East of England designed by RIBA Chartered Practices or individual RIBA Chartered architects in Suffolk. Please see attached nomination forms for both Design and Craftsmanship awards as well as detailed entry criteria for the Design Awards. The entry criteria have been developed in recent years to attract a wide range of projects that reflect the skills and talents of Suffolk Architects.
Deadline: The deadline for nominations will be 5pm Friday 2 February 2024.
Design awards 2023
COMMERCIAL - WINNER
Special Educational Needs at St Edmunds RC Primary School, Bury St Edmunds
Architect: Hoopers Architects
Structures: Superstructures
MEP - JS&H
Contractor - TJ Evers
Castons were the QS
Design awards 2022
COMMERCIAL - WINNER
Claas UK Headquarters
Architect: BCR Infinity Architects
Contractor: R G Carter
Client: Claas UK
Judges’ comments: “This striking company headquarters building brings together all the facets of the business and connects them visually, both internally and externally, forming a shop window to the A14. It is a clear and deceptively simple design solution to a complex problem delivered in phases over four years and is testament to the excellent working relationship between architect (BCRInfinity), client and contractor (RG Carter). Energy efficiency was at the forefront of its design and includes passive solar design, rainwater harvesting system, renewably generated electric power and roof solar panels.”
COMMERCIAL - HIGHLY COMMENDED
Martello Café
Architect: Plaice Design Company
Contractor: Barnes Construction
Client: East Suffolk Council
Judges’ comments: “This new cafe creates a focal point in an area of Felixstowe seafront requiring regeneration. Its distinctive and dramatic undulating roof, combined with the meticulously detailed wall and roof zinc cladding, draws the attention when viewed from all angles. It will no doubt be well used by the community and will act as a catalyst for further regeneration in this area. The architect was Plaice Design and contractor Barnes Construction. The fit out was by GS Contracts.”
NEW RESIDENTIAL - WINNER
The Glasshouse
Architect: Beech Architects
Contractor: Henry Paul Construction
Client: Private Client
Judges’ comments: “The Glasshouse is an appropriate name for this unique dwelling. This simple pavilion style structure uses large areas of glass, in both the walls and the roof, to ensure sunlight and daylight reaches the core of the building. This, together with the ceilings being set high, creates a beautifully light and airy internal environment.”
NEW RESIDENTIAL - HIGHLY COMMENDED
Crown Bridge House
Architect: Paul Weston Architect
Contractor: Mixbrow Construction
Client: Private Client
Judges’ comments: “An understated, yet highly articulated design, crown bridge house comfortably nestles into its countryside setting. Designed as a series of volumes to mimic the style of the historic homes with outhouses on neighbouring plots, the building takes users on a journey by framing views to the surrounding countryside. Glazed panels inside help to link the internal spaces, all of which are meticulously planned to create a seamless yet efficient living area that is adaptable in the future. This is further enhanced by the ambitious and stunningly realised landscaping design that links inside and out.”
NEW RESIDENTIAL - HIGHLY COMMENDED
Gainsborough House
Architect: Beech Architects
Contractor: Heronbuild
Client: Private Client
Judges’ comments: “This relatively large volume dwelling has been designed to minimize its visual impact on the surrounding village, by using a series of smaller linked structures embeded in the sloping site. The result is a building that is modern in form which enhances the surrounding rural environment.”
NEW RESIDENTIAL - COMMENDED
Cross Maltings Folly
Architect: Modece Architects
Contractor: M Chisnall & Sons
Client: Private Client
Judges’ comments: “Built in phases, and designed to be future proofed, the outcome of this ambitious scheme is an advanced symbiosis of historic building with high performance low energy design. Set in a stunning location overlooking a former mill site, the building maximises views out over the river Brett. The coherent and passionate way in which the projects clients spoke about the scheme stood out to the judges and appeared testament to the Architects role in interpreting the clients needs and facilitating their involvement in the development of the scheme.”
ALTERATIONS, EXTENSIONS & REFURBISHMENTS - WINNER
Otley House
Architect: Gasson Architects
Contractor: Seamans Building
Client: Private Client
Judges’ comments: “This very modest extension adds pure delight to a very large listed Georgian country house. It has been very sensitively designed and detailed. Its scale and form successfully blends new with old structures. The result is a property where you flow seamlessly from old to new and from internal to external space.”
ALTERATIONS, EXTENSIONS & REFURBISHMENTS - HIGHLY COMMENDED
Glulam Extension to a Listed Building, Hadleigh
Architect: TAS Architects
Contractor: RC Mumford
Client: Private Client
Judges’ comments: “A fun, yet well-articulated, contemporary addition to this a timber framed home, bringing much needed height and light into the property and a connection to its well-established garden. Taking its lead from the irregular pattern of the original timber, the new asymmetrical light timbered roof is both contrasting and well harmonised with the original fabric. The careful attention to detail was clear to see, as were the close relationship between contractor and architect that allowed the project to be successfully delivered.”
ALTERATIONS, EXTENSIONS & REFURBISHMENTS - COMMENDED
Kiln Cottage
Architect: Embrace Architecture
Contractor: Propertize Ltd.
Client: Private Client
Judges’ comments: “A well-executed rear extension that opens up the original house to the rear garden and dramatically improves the light, flow, and sense of space to this otherwise small rural Victorian cottage. The use of a contemporary material palette contrasts well with the original fabric. The materials also link the main building to the new garden room which forms a pottery studio, kiln and teaching space. These additions have allowed the clients to pursue their dreams of a work from home business.”
Design awards 2019
WINNER - TINKERS BARN BRESSINGHAM
Architect: Andrew Hughes Architects
Contractor: Stuart Whinney Construction
Owner: Nick Glendinning, West Development
Judges’ comments: “Tinkers Barn is a converted residential unit designed as a holiday home. It features the simplicity of form of the conventional barn situated on land using the surrounding landscape as its framed natural context. Incredibly conscious and modest architectural gestures ensure retention of a sense of height and openness in space, balanced by playful interventions in the overall minimal and purist approach. The emphasised vertical interiors are complemented by skilfully designed, laid out and constructed windows. The dramatic approach of the free-standing size of the mezzanine, interacts well with the defined living zones, and the balance between private and social space. The project receives a Design award for its finesse in offering a sustainable and aesthetically fashionable, yet minimal design solution, embracing the micro-scale of the detail and the macro-scale of the landscape and envelope. It is also highly commended as an exemplar of collaboration and synergy among project partners and stakeholders, particularly the design and development teams”
WINNER - CORK ROOM, BOXFORD
Architect: Kirkham Sheidow Architects
Contractor: Complete Construction and Development
Owner: Mr and Mrs E Bishop
Judges’ comments: “The Cork Room is an impeccably designed and executed house extension offering an in-between space for the garden and kitchen-living room area with a focus on natural light, texture and user lifestyle. It presents an architecturally sensitive design solution that maintains a humane aesthetic. At the same time, it excavates and emphasises hidden qualities of space, and projects a homely atmosphere of interior that becomes exterior and vice-versa. The newly and carefully placed apertures contribute to the creation of a peaceful atmosphere making the space pleasantly and fruitfully utilised and lived. The project receives a Design Award and is highly commended for its effortlessly highlighted spatial architectonics, and the construction materiality demonstrated in the crafted detailing and thoughtful building methods, rarely found in this type and scale of project.”
Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
COMMENDATION - THE CHURCH OF ST AUGUSTINE, IPSWICH
Architect: Haward Architects
Contractor: M S Oakes
Owner: The Parochial Church Council
Judges’ comments: “The Lantern Room (or Annexe) to the Church of St Augustine is a room that serves as an additional congregation facility. It provides contemporary design set against the imposing, traditional form of the church. The project has been handled with care to create an architectural object in public view and an architectural space in public use. The harmonious design acknowledges comfort, environment and spiritual context, and references stylistic modes which complement the operative components and functionality of the space. The project is commended for the striking difference between exterior and interior with the latter characterised by warmth, outstanding natural light dissemination, which creates a calming atmosphere in the form of a micro climate. The project is also commended for featuring architectural and structural components symbiotically in a discreet and considerate manner.”
2018
Project Lavenham Pre-School & Young
Peoples Centre
Architect Embrace Architecture
Client Lavenham Community Council
Contractor Scotts of Thrapston Ltd
This new building sits well in the established context of the new Lavenham Village Hall and has many similarities, being designed by the same architect. Internally and externally the materials and details are of high quality and the open and airy spaces were comfortably occupied by the full house of active children.
WINNER - LAVENHAM PRE-SCHOOL
WINNER - 8 WEST GREEN
Project 8 West Green
Architect Infinity Architects
Client Ms Corcoran & Mr Woolgar
Contractor MAC Construction
We found this to be a very successful enlargement and remodelling of an existing modern house
which addressed all the concerns that the owners had uncovered from several years occupancy. Although of nearly identical footprint to the original house, the new build has created interesting internal spaces with very pleasing more private views of both the existing garden and the adjoining open green. Zinc roofing and slimline modern metal windows provide a suitable contemporary feel and the extended brise soleil unifies the principal elevation very effectively
COMMENDATION - BRAMBLES BARN
Project Brambles Barn
Architect Modece Architects
Client Matthew and Samanta Bell
Contractor WillBuild Developments Ltd
An interesting ‘off-grid’ project provides a dwelling where planning and geographical circumstances would not normally allow one. Although technically complex the new house feels simple and comfortable and merges well with its site.
COMMENDATION - CHALLS BUILDING
Project Challs Building / Unit 46
Architect OWL Architects
Client Challs International
Contractor Mixbrow Construction
A new office building of a very client specific and bespoke nature. The internal spaces are ingeniously planned but very well connected to circulation and services and provide an excellent working environment. A very worthy replacement to the previous building on the site which was destroyed by fire.
WINNER 2017 - HUNTERS HOUSE
Architect: Modece Architects
Client: Andrew & Nicola Hunter
Contractor: CMC Contractors Ltd.
2017
WINNER 2017 - MONKEY LODGE
Architect: Wincer Kievnaar
Client: Philip & Evelyn Mayhew
Contractor: Rose Builders
COMMENDATION 2017 - THE WINDMILL
Architect: Beech Architects
Client: Natalie & Steven Roberts
Contractor: Steven Roberts