The finest architecture and building projects in the city have been revealed.
A team who are referred to as the ‘City’s Watchdogs’ whittled down the winners from nearly 30 nominations.
The prizewinners were announced at the St Albans Civic Society Awards Evening that took place at the Maltings Arts Theatre on October 11.
Winners:
Society Award winner - Parkside View Flexicare Housing, Marshalswick
Was presented with the award for the outward-looking building with numerous balconies, rooftop restaurant and terrace and has been called the 'new face of sheltered housing'.
- Instigator: North Hertfordshire Homes Limited.
- Architect: Kyle Smart Associates - Caddington Contractor: Bouygues UK- London SE1
Society Award winner - New House, 71/73 Hemel Hempstead Road, Redbourn:
- Instigator: Mr and Mrs Tim Hall - Redbourn Designer: Tim Hall, Studio Forty Six - Redbourn
- Contractor: Tim Hall - Redbourn. Timber Frame: Taylor Lane - Hereford
This self-build house has been built to use every corner of the restricted site that it sits on. The judges were impressed by the quality of the materials used.
Trevelyan Prize 2016: Tuck Pointing to St Stephen’s House, Watling Street
- Instigator: Mr and Mrs Matthew Wallis - St Albans Contractor: Point Builders Limited - St Albans
The Grade 2 Listed Georgian house, opposite St Stephen’s Church has recently been restored by its new owners. The judges were very impressed by the extensive work undertaken in the renovation of the tuck pointing to the front façade of the house, a key historic feature. A specialist and time-consuming exercise was used to create the appearance of distinctive, very thin, joints between the bricks.
Commendations:
Cotlandswick Leisure Centre, London Colney
- Instigator: St Albans City and District Council
- Architect: Pozzoni - London EC1
- Contractor: Willmott Dixon - Hitchin
The lighting throughout the centre was noted by judges, as the asymmetrical curved roof with its high glazing makes for interesting, well-lit internal spaces.
Renovated House, 16 Homewood Road, Marshalswick
- Instigator: Mr and Mrs J Poole - Marshalswick
- Architect: Chris King, Ponsford King - Redbourn
- Contractor: W.H.Allsop and Sons (Builders) Ltd – Caddington
The original red brick house on this site was too small, dark and inefficient. By retaining, adapting and extending the original structural core, adding external insulation, rendering, re-roofing, replacing all windows and external doors, and renovating all services, new life has been injected into the building.
New House, 56a Spencer Street
- Instigator: Mr Jack Pia - St Albans
- Architect: Roy Darby - St Albans
- Contractor: TSS Construction Limited, Hemel Hempstead
New gates, in the high garden wall to the street, are the only clue to the presence of this small, modern, single storey house, which replaces a large, decrepit, two storey barn in the verdant grounds of the larger original house.
Built as a wheelchair accessible, one bedroom dwelling, to enable the owner and his late wife to move out of the main house.
Trevelyan Prize Commendation 2016 Ceremonia shop, George Street
- Instigator: Andrew Masi and Helen Searle - St Albans
- Designer: Andrew Masi and Helen Searle - St Albans
- Contractor: Andrew Masi and Helen Searle - St Albans
This male outfitters and wedding dress shop replaces the former antique emporium here. In the process of adaption the owners have undertaken an exemplary restoration of the battered medieval heart of the building. The Panel considered it a fine example of creative restoration.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here