Sustainable architecture builds success for designers
THE region’s newest and most outstanding architecture was praised at Argyll and Bute Council’s Sustainable Design Awards at Kilmory Castle in Lochgilphead last Wednesday (May 18).
The awards ceremony, the third following events in 2010 and 2012, aims to ‘ recognise, promote and celebrate examples of exceptional design quality’ in new buildings completed between January 2012 and June 2015.
Four winners were picked from 13 nominees by five judges employed by the council, including councillors David Kinniburgh and Alex McNaughton, respectively chairman and vice- chairman of the planning committee.
Fellow judge Angus Gilmour, head of planning and regulatory services, introduced the awards, explaining: ‘Good design doesn’t necessarily mean traditional design but also contemporary and energy- efficient design.’
The elements of winning design were elaborated on by guest speaker Karen Anderson, chairwoman of Architecture and Design Scotland, who designed An Cridhe on the Isle of Coll. She said: ‘Traditional versus contemporary – it doesn’t matter. It matters if it’s good and sustainable, and generates a love in the building. It’s somewhere that works, and is better, fitter than what was there before.’
Tiree’s House No 7, a ruined blackhouse converted by Denizen Works in London, won the council’s New Build Residential Single or Small Scale category. A council spokesperson explained: ‘This development balances the traditional Tiree vernacular of the former ruin with sensitive contemporary design informed by the architecture of crofters’ sheds.’
The winner of the New Build Large Scale Residential category was Park Square in Campbeltown. The 32 flats and houses, designed by Coltart Earley Architecture, were also developed by Argyll Community Housing Association with Argyll and Bute Council for the town’s Kinloch Road regeneration.
Portavadie Leisure and Spa, designed by architects Stewart Associates, picked up top prize in the New Build Non Residential class. The council spokesperson said: ‘This is a high quality redevelopment of a brownfield site,’ and ‘biomass heating, LED lighting and green roofs help create a low carbon footprint, and the leisure and spa use has provided positive economic and community benefit to the area.’
The Tayvallich Early Years Unit, designed by the council’s property design team, was commended in the same category. The council said: ‘The high quality detailing, materials and finishes including Scottish larch and recycled stone from original buildings on site, along with the use of modern elements, successfully respect the existing, traditional school building.’
Greystones, a B&B in a baronial listed building in Oban, won the Redevelopment or Refurbishment of an Existing Building award. The council said the ‘outstanding workmanship has included the restoration of original features [and] subtle use of contemporary additions in its fittings and furniture. This high quality refurbishment has helped provide a long-term future for the building with economic and tourism benefit to the town.’