Projects by Glenn Howells Architects, Feilden Fowles and OMA are on the list of winners selected by this year’s distinguished awards jury
In spite of disruption caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Schüco Excellence Awards attracted a wide range of high-calibre projects from practices both large and small. One of the key themes that emerged from the jury discussion was how the considered handling and integration of façade units can go beyond aesthetic and technical proficiency to underpin and even augment a building’s architectural concept or parti. This is all the more impressive when – as many of the award submissions showed – architects skillfully employ ‘off-the-shelf’ systems and products to produce expressive façades that are so much more than the sum of their individual parts.
Once again, the awards highlighted the importance of combining high-quality façade systems with the expertise of specialist contractors and a sound understanding of environmental design principles, including daylighting and energy performance.
Jury (left to right): Hazel Joseph, Harry Montrésor, Jelena Cousins, Steve Mudie, Kirsten Lees and Stuart Piercy
The 2020 jury included architects Jelena Cousins, Hazel Joseph, Stuart Piercy (all previous Schüco award winners), and Kirsten Lees, as well as Harry Montrésor and Steve Mudie, both with specialist knowledge of façade design. Danny Fitzgerald, National Architectural Manager at Schüco, provided additional technical insight.
In their assessment of the entries, the judges looked for evidence of four key qualities: creativity, innovation, technical skill and creative collaboration. Does the project demonstrate design quality, whether on a macro and/or micro scale? Is there evidence of significant innovation in terms of design, detail or construction expertise? Does the project show high levels of technical skill in its detailed design and/or assembly? Does the project demonstrate a productive and creative collaboration between the designer, specialist contractor and/or manufacturer?
The winning and shortlisted projects, together with the inaugural Viewers’ Choice Award, were announced at a live online Awards event hosted by Charlie Luxton on 11 November.
Winning and Shortlisted Projects
Overall Winner
Project: English National Ballet, London (above and top)
Architect: Glenn Howells Architects
Specialist contractor: NA Curtain Walling Ltd
Client: English National Ballet
Photo: Hufton + Crow
The project impressed the judges with its engineering excellence, particularly the ability of the steel curtain walling to support very large and heavy glass panels while retaining a lightweight and elegant aesthetic.
Viewers’ Choice Award
Project: The Fratry, Carlisle
Architect: Feilden Fowles
Specialist contractor: Martec Engineering Group Ltd
Client: Carlisle Cathedral
Photo: David Grandorge
Commercial Building Winner
Project: 50-60 Station Road, Cambridge
Architect: Grimshaw Architects
Specialist contractor: Dane Architectural Systems Holdings Ltd
Client: Brookgate
Photo: Fotohaus
The judges praised the project for its composition, innovative approach to façade design, and on-site execution.
Commercial Building Shortlisted
Project: Dept W, London
Architect: Buckley Gray Yeoman
Specialist contractor: Openwood Facades
Client: Schroder Real Estate
Photo: Matt Chisnall
Commercial Building Shortlisted
Project: Fora, Princelet Street, London
Architect: Piercy & Company
Specialist contractor: Openwood Facades
Client: Brockton Capital for Fora
Photo: Jack Hobhouse
Cultural Building Winner
Project: The Fratry, Carlisle
Architect: Feilden Fowles
Specialist contractor: Martec Engineering Group Ltd
Client: Carlisle Cathedral
Photo: David Grandorge
The jury praised the project for its contextual sensitivity, compositional strength, and crisp detailing around the windows.
Cultural Building Shortlisted
Project: English National Ballet, London
Architect: Glenn Howells Architects
Specialist contractor: NA Curtain Walling Ltd
Client: English National Ballet
Photo: Hufton & Crow
Cultural Building Shortlisted
Project: The Pavilion, London
Architect: Ryder Architecture
Specialist contractor: QGS
Client: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Photo: Ryder Architecture
Education and Health Buildings Winner
Project: Brighton College, East Sussex
Architect: OMA
Specialist contractor: Alumet Systems (UK) Ltd
Client: Brighton College
Photo: Laurian Ghinitoiu/OMA
The jury noted how the building’s apparent simplicity belies its technical complexity and rigour. It was also impressed by the concealed vent detail and overall transparency of the structure.
Education and Health Shortlisted and Highly Commended
Project: St John’s College, Oxford
Architect: Wright & Wright Architects
Specialist contractor: L2i Limited
Client: St John’s College
Photo: Hufton & Crow
Education and Health Shortlisted
Project: UCLH, London
Architect: Pillbrow & Partners, BMJ Architects
Specialist contractor: Fleetwood Architectural Aluminium
Client: UCLH
Photo: Fleetwood Architectural Aluminium
Refurbishment Project Winner
Project: Coal Drops Yard, London
Architect: Heatherwick Studio
Specialist contractor: Propak Architectural Glazing Ltd
Client: Argent
Photo: Luke Hayes
The jury applauded the quality and consistency of the interfaces between the scheme’s old and new elements. Equally importantly, it felt that project team had selected the right products for the job.
Refurbishment Project Shortlisted
Project: Dept W, London
Architect: Buckley Gray Yeoman
Specialist contractor: Openwood Facades
Client: Schroder Real Estate
Photo: Matt Chisnall
Refurbishment Project Shortlisted
Project: Clerkenwell Hotel, London
Architect: Fletcher Rae
Specialist contractor: Openwood Facades
Client: Yotel
Photo: Claire Byrne/Jerram Falkus
Residential Development Winner
Project: 67 Southwark Street, London
Architect: Allies & Morrison
Specialist contractor: Fleetwood Architectural Aluminium
Photo: Tailored Living Solutions
The jury praised the project team for its simple, effective and appropriate use of façade systems, as well as the crisp detailing employed throughout the building.
Residential Development Shortlisted
Project: Hobhouse Court, London
Delivery architect: TP Bennett
Concept architect: Arquitectonica in association with Brisac Gonzalez
Specialist contractor: NA Curtain Walling Ltd
Client: Hobhouse
Photo: Hufton & Crow
Individual House Winner
Project: The Field House, Berkshire
Architect: Spratley & Partners
Specialist contractor: IQ Glass
Client: Mr & Mrs Spratley
Photo: Andrew Beasley
The jury praised the scheme for its creative use of ‘off-the-shelf’ façade components.
Individual House Shortlisted
Project: Shepherds Hill, Surrey
Architect: Stephen Marshall Architects
Specialist contractor: Murus Facades
Photo: Liz Eve/Fotohaus
Individual House Shortlisted
Project: The Bluff House, Oxfordshire
Architect: Adrian James Architects
Specialist contractor: L2i Limited
Photo: David Fisher
Individual House Improvement Winner
Project: Patten Road, London
Architect: Matthew Giles Architects
Specialist contractor: L2i Limited
Photo: Logan Irvine-MacDougall
The judges complimented the scheme on its refined detailing and ability to maximise daylighting.
Individual House Improvement Shortlisted
Project: British Grove, London
Architect: IBLA
Specialist contractor: Ridlands
Photo: Brotherton-Lock
Individual House Improvement Shortlisted
Project: Mount Park, London
Architect: Matthew Giles Architects
Specialist contractor: L2i Limited
Photo: Logan Irvine-MacDougall
Steel Project Winner
Project: English National Ballet, London
Architect: Glenn Howells Architects
Specialist contractor: NA Curtain Walling Ltd
Client: English National Ballet
Photo: Hufton & Crow
The project impressed the judges with its engineering excellence – namely the ability of the steel curtain walling to support very large and heavy glass panels while retaining a lightweight and elegant aesthetic.
Steel Project Shortlisted
Project: The Fratry, Carlisle
Architect: Feilden Fowles
Specialist contractor: Martec Engineering Group Ltd
Client: Carlisle Cathedral
Photo: David Grandorge
Steel Project Shortlisted
Project: Coal Drops Yard, London
Architect: Heatherwick Studio
Specialist contractor: Propak Architectural Glazing Ltd
Client: Argent
Photo: Hufton & Crow
Specialist Contractor Winner
Project: 50-60 Station Road, Cambridge
Architect: Grimshaw Architects
Specialist contractor: Dane Architectural Systems Holdings Ltd
Client: Brookgate
Photo: Fotohaus, Dane
The jury applauded Dane Architectural Systems’ design and technical input on the project. It was also impressed by the innovative way in which the GRC cladding is integrated in the curtain walling.
Specialist Contractor Shortlisted
Project: English National Ballet, London
Architect: Glenn Howells Architects
Specialist contractor: NA Curtain Walling Ltd
Client: English National Ballet
Photo: Hufton & Crow
Specialist Contractor Shortlisted
Project: Brighton College, East Sussex
Architect: OMA
Specialist contractor: Alumet Systems (UK) Ltd
Client: Brighton College
Photo: Laurian Ghinitoiu/OMA
Sustainability Award
Project: St John’s College, Oxford
Architect: Wright & Wright Architects
Specialist contractor: L2i Limited
Client: St John’s College
Photo: Hufton & Crow
“This is a project that focuses on sustainability in the most elegant manner,” commented Sustainability Award judge Ruth Slavid. “It informs every decision, in particular the reduction of solar gain and the use of natural ventilation. The careful approach and rigorous modelling have enabled a generous glazing solution that ensures the building is light-filled without overheating.”
