Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
School buildings share spoils
Two stunning examples of city architecture were too good to split as they came out on top in the Canterbury Society’s Design Awards.
The Malthouse and the International College - both owned by the King’s School and developed as part of a £28 million project of the site - were joint overall winners at the annual event.
The Malthouse, off St Stephen’s Road, is a converted
Victorian building which was transformed into a 334-seat theatre for the school in 2019, and has already received an award from the Royal Institute of British Architects.
The neighbouring International School is a new-build, opened in 2019, which pays homage to the site’s industrial heritage.
The building comprises 34 en-suite bedrooms with boarding for 80 students, several flats for staff, classrooms, specialist teaching facilities and outdoor recreation areas.
More than 100 guests, including architects, planners and developers attended a recent ceremony at the Cathedral Lodge, where the Canterbury Society revealed the winners.
There were more than 20 entries judged in separate categories, including new housing projects, buildings in a conservation area, renovation and refit, shopfronts, and sustainability.
Chair of the Society’s judging panel Keith Bothwell said that, as in previous years, there was a very high standard.
“New buildings are often criticised in Canterbury for their lack of design quality and imagination. But the entries in this competition show there are some really exciting projects, reflecting innovation and path-breaking solutions.”
The awards were presented by Ptomely Dean, who is president of the society and currently the surveyor of fabric at Westminster Abbey.
CATEGORY WINNERS
New housing: The Tree House, Iffin Lane,
Public realm and open space:
The Franciscan Gardens,
Shopfronts and signage: Canterbury Business Improvement District vinyls, High Street
Most innovative solution to our climate change and ecological emergency: The Great Hall, Kent College
New building in a conservation area: The International College, The King's School
New building outside a conservation area: The Great Hall, Kent College
Renovation, retrofit or refurbishment: The Malthouse, The King's School