A homeless women’s shelter, a bed-and-breakfast, and a Jewish cemetery are among the 11 winning projects

The David Attenborough Building, Cambridge, by Nicholas Hare Architects (phs: Alan Williams, David Lowe)
“The repair and restoration of modern classic buildings require so much skill, care and research as more common conservation projects. At the David Attenborough building the architects here used all the traditional conservation skills but also connected with the spirit and muscularity of the original building.”

Storey’s Field Community Centre & Nursery, Cambridge, by MUMA (phs: Alan Williams)
“This is the very highest quality architecture. It shows how an architect can add joy, an enhanced experience of materials and human dimension to every part of a building. The spaces in the nursery are worthy of a much more sophisticated audience, but are always based around the scale and activities in each space. Where small windows are needed they are arranged in the pattern of constellations of stars (even with the correct orientation), where a decorative circular window from the enclosed garden is made out of a ventilation inlet grille, it is evidence of the skill, imagination and continuous attention to detail of the architect. This is a truly well crafted building, where material or technology is only used where it is needed.”

Aura housing, Great Kneighton, Cambridge, by Tate Hindle (phs: Timothy Soar, Philip Vile)
“Aura and the wider Great Kneighton masterplan is a really good example of what a local authority, and its leadership can achieve if they refuse to compromise and are determined to build really sustainable new communities; with new schools and playgrounds, shopping and a medical practice with easy transport connections to work.”

Stephen Perse Foundation sports and learning building, Cambridge, by Chadwick Dryer Clarke Studio and LSI Architects (phs: Richard Chivers)
“The new school buildings transform the learning opportunities for the Stephen Perse School but also sort out a host of problems with the existing buildings; bringing a disparate connection of buildings into more coherent use. What was typical of this project is how the students were able to watch the completion of the sports hall, from the internal corridors, so that the building site became a learning opportunity in itself.”

West Court Jesus College, Cambridge, by Niall McLaughlin Architects (phs: Nick Kane, Peter Cook)
“This extension to Jesus College manages the difficult trick of feeling entirely old fashioned in its use of hand crafted materials like oak, elm, red clay floor tiles and a soft red brick while remaining entirely modern in its loose geometry, use of daylight and simplicity of forms.”

St Chad’s housing, Thurrock, by Bell Phillips Architects (phs: Kilian O’Sullivan)
“The architects have worked with very reduced means (two types of brick, 2-3 storey houses, two basic house types, lots of car parking) to create a really strong piece of urban design. This part of Tilbury has little sense of place, being mostly low-rise housing winding around the heavily industrialised docks. Bell Phillips worked hard to change the street grid to frame long views of the huge dock cranes and sheds and find a sense of place and attachment to the wider landscape. How the two and three storey terrace houses and infill courtyard houses all brought together to offer ever changing views as your move around the site is evidence of careful three
-dimensional design, making the most of simple forms and finishes.”

White Heather House, Southend-on-Sea, by SK Architects (phs: Alan Gloyne)
“This is a wonderful example of where the architect, Steve Kierney, would just not let a project fail. He formed his own construction company, overcoming early setbacks, to deliver the project to a tight budget and timescale. This is a project that is really changing lives, providing inspiring emergency homes for vulnerable women in the ‘red light’ district of Southend.”

The Deerings, Harpenden, by Gresford Architects & Nicholas Tye Architects (phs: Quintin Lake)
“The client for this passivhaus was just as influential in the design and specification as the architects. In the case of the very high sustainable credentials of this house, he initiated the strategies, researched them exhaustively and monitors them on a day to day basis. There has been considerable investment in the fabric and technology of the house and the owner is keen to see how long it will take for his considerable fuel bill savings to pay back his investment. But at the same time this is a unique warm, fresh feeling (a heat exchanger provides background ventilation), open plan family house.”

Bushey Cemetery, Herts, by Waugh Thistleton Architects (phs: Lewis Kahn, Blake Ezra)
“The architect, Waugh Thistleton, has a very strong, long term relationship with the Jewish community. They have completed a number of synagogues prior to this project and the simplicity, austerity even, of the means and materials used in this project are a reflection of this mutual respect, trust and empathy. Every aspect of the building layout and progress through the landscape are in keeping with the spirit of the event.”

Five Acre Barn, Suffolk, by Blee Halligan (phs: Sarah Blee)
“What is most surprising and pleasing, given the quality of finishes and workmanship is that this is largely a self-build project where the owners instal led the cedar shingles, completed most of the joinery and decorations; working alongside the builder, Paul Ralph, every day on site. The scale and the budget is modest but this imaginative building punches well above its weight.”