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Hat-trick of awards for building excellence in East Suffolk
Hat-trick of awards for building excellence in East Suffolk
A stylish new café in East Suffolk has again been nominated for a top award – along with a locally based building contractor and architect.
Felixstowe’s Martello Café was named ‘best non-residential new build’ at the regional LABC Building Excellence Awards – just a few months after being highly commended by local design judges.
Felixstowe based architect, Robert Allerton was also recognised as the region’s ‘best residential and small commercial designer’, while Woodbridge firm Chapel Properties won ‘best residential and small commercial builder’.
The regional winners will all go forward to the Grand Finals of the LABC Building Excellence Awards 2022 – the UK’s largest business-to-business awards in the building control sector – taking place at Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, in London, on Friday 27 January.
The awards cover all local authorities in England and Wales, across 12 regions, and recognise the work of building control surveyors, builders, site managers, architects, designers, and anyone involved in a construction project where building control was provided by a local authority team, such as East Suffolk Council’s Building Control team, which ensures that building work carried out in the district meets minimum regulations.
Opened in May 2022 as part of the continued wider redevelopment of Felixstowe’s South Seafront area, The Martello Café was funded by East Suffolk Council (ESC), with grant funding of £950,000 from the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund and a further £30,000 from the Coastal Revival Fund.
The £1.5 million project and its architects, Plaice Design Company, were also ‘Highly Commended by judges at the RIBA Suffolk Design Awards 2022.
Cllr David Ritchie, East Suffolk's cabinet member for Planning and Coastal Management said:
“I’m absolutely delighted by news of this triple recognition for building excellence in East Suffolk.
“Our Building Control team works hard to ensure buildings are properly constructed and meet legal safety standards. But that doesn’t mean our buildings should be exclusively functional or utilitarian – and this award for the stunning Martello Café shows that style and substance are of equal value to the amenity of residents and visitors.
“Congratulations are also due to Robert Allerton and Chapel Properties for recognition of their excellence in architecture and construction.”
Ruth Crisp, Director of Chapel Properties, said:
"Chapel Properties are delighted to have won this award and we would like to thank our amazing team and our clients who have supported us. We are very excited to be attending the National awards in January.’’
"East Suffolk Council are always our first choice in building control."
Architect and company director, Robert Allerton added:
“We are thrilled to receive this recognition from East Suffolk and LABC.
“Being a small practice, we are committed to delivering sustainable construction solutions to our clients and a large part of this is ongoing dialogue with colleagues and partners in the local authority. We see the interaction of all parties as key to quality solutions and the delivery of cost-effective designs for the future.”