Projects by Nicholas Hare Architects and AHMM head the list of winners and commendations selected by this year’s distinguished jury
A key theme that emerged in the jury discussions for the 2019 Schueco Excellence Awards for Design and Innovation – organised in association with Architecture Today – was that creativity, innovation, technical skill and collaboration tend to go hand-in-hand. A well-designed building will self-evidently suggest a rigorous and exacting approach to detailing and specification, and with a responsive manufacturer and creative specialist contractor, that in turn will often engender pride and quality in workmanship. As good daylighting and energy performance assume ever more significance in our buildings, recognition of this integrated approach becomes ever more important, and this underlies the ethos of the Schueco Awards.
The 2019 jury included architects Paul Williams (Stanton Williams) and Neil Dusheiko (Neil Dusheiko Architects) – both winners from last year’s awards, Julia Barfield (Marks Barfield) and Clare Wright (Wright & Wright), and Steve Mudie (Alinea) and Paul Savidge (Wintech), both with specialist knowledge of facade design. Schueco’s National Architectural Manager, Danny Fitzgerald, supported the jury with technical insight. Having assessed and ranked potential contenders for awards in each given category, and drawing on the technical expertise at hand, decisions were reached with relative unanimity.
The criteria for assessment of the awards focused on creativity, innovation, technical skill and creative collaboration. Does the project demonstrate design quality, whether at a macro and/or micro scale? Is there evidence of significant innovation in terms of design, detailing or constructional skills? 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?
Winning and commended projects were recognised at an Awards lunch at London’s Saatchi Gallery on 27 June.
Winning and Commended Projects
Overall Winner and Education Building Winner
Student Centre, University College London (above and top); architect: Nicholas Hare Architects; specialist contractor: FGS (Facade Glazing Solutions); client: University College London (UCL); photos: Alan Williams
Overall Runner-up and Commercial Building Winner
The Ray, London; architect: AHMM; facade consultant: Buro Happold Engineering; specialist contractor: Alumet; client: Viridis Real Estate; photo: Rob Parrish
Cultural Building Winner
Windermere Jetty Museum, Cumbria; architect: Carmody Groarke; specialist contractor: UKTOP; client: Lakeland Arts; photo: Christian Richters
Cultural Building Commendation
MK Gallery, Milton Keynes; architect: 6a Architects; specialist contractor: MB Glass; client: MK Gallery; photo: 6a Architects
Individual House Winner
Kenwood Lee House, London; architect: Cousins & Cousins; specialist contractor: Alco Glass Systems; photo: Alan Williams
Individual House Improvement Winner
Felsham Road, London; architect: Giles & Pike Architects; specialist contractor: L2i; photo: Logan Irvine-MacDougall
Individual House Improvement Commendation
Tachbrook Street, London; architect: Owen Architects; specialist contractor: Express Bi-Folding Doors; client: Cornelia and Dirk Ormoneit; photo: Tim Soar
Refurbishment Project Winner
Television Centre, White City, London; architect: AHMM; specialist contractor: CSi; client: Stanhope; photo: Timothy Soar
Refurbishment Project Commendation
160 Old Street, London; architect: Orms; specialist contractor: Dane Architectural Systems; client: Great Ropemaker Partnership; photos: Dane/Vervate
Residential Development Winner
Rosemoor Studios, Chelsea, London; architect: Haptic Architects; specialist contractor: IQ Glass Solutions; client: Haig Construction Management; photo: Simon Kennedy
Residential Development Commendation and Steel Project Commendation
35 Marylebone High Street, London; architect: Dixon Jones; specialist contractor: Propak Architectural Glazing; client: W-One International; photo: Paul Riddle
Steel Project Winner
Science & Technology Centre and Global Study Centre, Sevenoaks School, Kent; architect: Tim Ronalds Architects; specialist contractor: Arkoni; client: Sevenoaks School Foundation; photos: Hélène Binet
Specialist Contractor Award
Prater, for London Waterloo Station Infill; architect: Wessex Capacity Alliance/Mott MacDonald; client: Network Rail; photo: Prater
Commercial Building Commendation
Two St Peter’s Square, Manchester; architect: Simpson Haugh Architects; specialist contractor: FK Group/Premo Fabrications; client: Betfred; photo: Premo Fabrications
Education Building Commendation
The Dorothy Garrod Building, Cambridge; architect: Walters & Cohen Architects; specialist contractor: Prism Architectural; client: Newnham College, Cambridge; photo: Dennis Gilbert
