Projects by Grimshaw, Níall McLaughlin Architects, and Hall McKnight are among the winners selected by this year’s distinguished awards jury.
In association with
Now celebrating its tenth anniversary, the Schüco Excellence Awards attracted a broad range of high-calibre projects from practices both large and small. Once again, the awards showed that excellent façade design requires a multitude of carefully considered and well-co-ordinated factors – not least creativity, innovation, technical expertise, and skilful execution.
Invariably this necessitates an adaptable specialist contractor with a ‘can-do attitude’ and a responsive manufacturer with high-performance products and systems. Good daylighting and energy performance are also critically important, given our climate emergency. The need therefore to adopt an integrated and collaborative approach focused on design and innovation cannot be overstated and sums up the spirit of the Schüco Excellence Awards.
Schüco Awards 2022 judges include (left to right) Ingrid Petit (Feilden Fowles), Steve Mudie (Alinea Consulting), Pankaj Patel (Patel Taylor), Innes Johnston (Max Fordham), Carol Patterson (OMA), Harry Montrésor (Montrésor Partnership), Fiona Scott (Gort Scott), and Isabel Allen (Architecture Today)
Chaired by Architecture Today editor Isabel Allen, the jury comprised architects Ingrid Petit, Carol Patterson, Holly Galbraith, and Barbara Weiss – all previous Schüco award winners, as well as façade specialist Steve Mudie, façade engineer Anna Wendt, and environmental designer Innes Johnston. Stuart Hosier, National Specification Manager at Schüco, provided additional technical insight.
In their assessment of the entries, the judges focused on four key criteria: 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 commended projects were announced at a live awards event hosted by Charlie Luxton on 29 June, and feature in a special supplement to Architecture Today issue 326.
Read on to discover this year’s winners and view the supplement for a full analysis and jury statements on each project.
Winning projects
Overall Winner
Project: Bath Schools of Art and Design, Bath Spa University
Architect: Grimshaw
Specialist contractor: Structura
Client: Bath Spa University
Photo: Paul Raftery
Judges comments:
“Full credit to Grimshaw for its vision, and Structura for its expertise, in transforming a single-glazed Schüco stick system to meet the more stringent performance requirements of today and tomorrow.” Steve Mudie.
“This exceptional and inspiring adaptive reuse project illustrates how the industry has evolved to meet contemporary performance requirements, while maintaining the original aesthetic intent.” Carol Patterson
“The refurbishment of the façade on this outstanding adaptive reuse project is particularly successful, combining sensitive repairs and reuse of the primary framing and curtain walling channels.” Ingrid Petit
Commercial and Mixed-Use Development Winner
Project: 25 Cannon Street in London
Architect: Buckley Gray Yeoman
Specialist contractor: Dane Architectural Systems Holdings
Client: Pembroke Real Estate
Photo: Dirk Lindner
The judges were impressed by the transformation of the building from a tired, uninspiring feature of the cityscape into an articulate, light-filled workplace that improves the local context and civic amenity. Special praise was reserved for the clever use of non-bespoke glazing systems, including the skilful integration of stone spandrels within the curtain walling.
Health, Culture and Leisure Buildings Winner
Project: International Rugby Experience, Limerick
Architect: by Níall McLaughlin Architects
Specialist contractors: Alutec Facades and KCC Group
Client: Rugby World Experience
Photo: Nick Kane
The jury praised the project’s highly accomplished urban response, confident massing and beautiful detailing. It also applauded the seamless integration of the fine, slim-sectioned glazing systems with the expressive masonry skin – both internally and externally.
Education Building Winner
Project: Bath Schools of Art and Design, Bath Spa University, by
Architect: Grimshaw
Specialist contractor: Structura
Client: Bath Spa University
Photo: Willmott Dixon
The project’s ‘next level’ approach to demountability and reuse was applauded by the jury, as was the sophisticated yet sensitive upgrade of the existing façade and glazing systems.
Refurbishment and Adaptive Reuse Winner
Project: The Community of St Mary the Virgin, Wantage
Architect: Hall McKnight
Specialist contractor: Aluminium and Glass Facades
Client: The Community of St Mary the Virgin
Photo: Lorenzo Zandri
The judges admired the project’s sensitivity and attention to detail. They were particularly impressed by the skilful handling of the glazed entrance arches, which subtly modulate changes in space, materiality, texture and light.
Residential Development Winner
Project: 35 Marylebone High Street, London
Architect: Dixon Jones
Specialist contractor: Propak Architectural Glazing
Client: W-One International
Photo: Paul Riddle
The jury complimented the scheme on its carefully considered and sensitive approach to façade design and contextuality. Special praise was reserved for the high-performance replacement windows, which resolve important aesthetic, performance and environmental issues.
Individual House Winner
Project: Maple Lodge, Leicester
Architect: Levitate Architects
Specialist contractor: Klarheit Aluminium Windows & Doors / Windowcraft
Photo: Jim Stephenson
The judges complimented the scheme on its ambition, deft planning, and the skilful integration of both large and small-scale glazing elements within the building envelope.
Individual House Improvement Winner
Project: Castle Court, London
Architect: Snell David Architects
Specialist contractor: L2i
Photo: Michael Maynard
The judges complimented the transformative qualities of the project – not least the technically impressive, curved sliding panoramic doors, which have given the apartment a new lease of life and improved its environmental credentials.
Major Project Winner
Project: 11 & 12 Wellington Place, Leeds
Architect: tp bennett
Specialist contractor: Dane Architectural Systems Holdings
Client: MEPC
Photo: Hufton+Crow
The jury applauded the scheme’s technical and environmental prowess, with special praise reserved for the façade’s high levels of surface articulation and considered approach to solar control.
Specialist Contractor Winner
Project: Spencer Place, Dublin
Architect: Henry J Lyons
Specialist contractor: Alucraft Ltd
Client: Ronan Group Real Estate
Photo: Alucraft Ltd
The judges praised the leading role that Alucraft Ltd took in successfully delivering this prestigious and complex project. They were especially impressed by the specialist contractor’s resourcefulness and ingenuity in adapting ‘off-the shelf’ façade components to achieve the desired aesthetic and performance requirements.
Steel Project Winner
Project: Borough Yards, London
Architect: SPPARC Architects
Specialist contractor: Propak Architectural Glazing
Client: Marks Developments
Photo: Ed Reeves
The project’s ability to unite new and existing elements into a visually-pleasing and coherent whole impressed the judges, as did the crisp detailing and skilful execution of the entire façade package.
Sustainability Winner
Project: Bath Schools of Art and Design, Bath Spa University, by
Architect: Grimshaw
Specialist contractor: Structura
Client: Bath Spa University
Photo: Willmott Dixon
The jury applauded the project team for its exemplar ‘adapt and reuse’ approach to sustainability. It felt that the improvements to the façade were particularly successful, reducing heat loss by around 80 per cent. Praise also went to the quality and longevity of the Schüco components used, both original and new.
Sustainability Commendation
Project: Thornhill Primary School, Dunstable
Architect: ECD Architects
Specialist contractor: Norman & Underwood
Client: Central Bedfordshire Council
Photo: Christian Trampenau
The judges congratulated the scheme on its outstanding environmental credentials – not least the role played by the high-performance ‘of-the-shelf’ Schüco curtain walling and door systems in achieving Passivhaus certification.
