Location is the inspiration for award-winners
A HOUSE built on the hillside of the Welsh coast and a vibrant community centre have just been awarded Royal Society of Architects in Wales (RSAW) Awards.
The Grange Pavilion, designed by Benham Architects and IBI Group in Cardiff, and a private residence near Swansea, designed by Loyn & Co Architects, have received the accolades following consideration by expert judges.
RSAW Jury Chair Sarah Featherstone says: “This year’s two winners are examples of design excellence in Wales. The jury were bowled over by the spectacular location of the house in Swansea, a steeply sloping site, high up on the coastline offering views of the coastline, within the AONB. In a magnificent stand of pine trees, the property’s glazed atrium contains an internal garden planted with small trees and palms, creating the centrepiece of the house.
“In Cardiff, community project Grange Pavilion demonstrates exemplar collaboration, which has transformed the lives of its residents. The building replaces an under-used and deteriorating bowls club with a new multi-use building which can adapt to the needs of its community.”
The award-winning duo will now be considered for a highly coveted RIBA national award in recognition of their architectural excellence, the results of which will be announced in June.
The private residence near Swansea was originally a home nestled into the trees and undulating landscape that didn’t take advantage of the views of its position on a hillside within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Keen gardeners with two dogs, the owners wanted a house that would create a retreat that would be suitable for the warm months and harsh winters experienced in this area, as well as being able to hear and smell the sea whatever the season.
Penarth based Loyn & Co architects focused on the potential of the location and the importance of the context of the site; the topography and existing trees.
Now it’s an energy-efficient sustainable home with multiple views to mesmerise in each space, and from numerous angles.
The core of the design is the connection to the outside environment and the spectacular views, with maximum sight lines created that flow effortlessly and uninterrupted out to the views beyond through walls of glass, sliding doors and massive windows.
The other RSAW winner was The Grange Pavilion in Grangetown which also won the special award of Client of the Year 2022.
The building is located in Grange Gardens in the Cardiff suburb and was built by BECT construction as a multi-purpose indoor and outdoor community hub replacing the shack-like building that was on the site with something remarkable, completed in 2020.
Grange Pavilion was designed by Benham Architects and IBI Group, who say the property was based on inclusion, ideas ownership by residents, social cohesion and community wellbeing, and building materials used were chosen to reflect its surroundings.
The UK RIBA national awards that a Welsh entrant could clinch include the RIBA Sustainability Award sponsored by Michelmersh and the RIBA Building of the Year sponsored by Taylor Maxwell.
Arguably the ultimate prize at the highest UK national level of awards is the annual Royal Institute of British Architects RIBA Stirling prize, considered to be the most prestigious architecture award in the UK.
The winner of the 2022 Stirling Prize will be announced in October.