The winners of an annual awards programme celebrating building design and conservation projects in East Suffolk have been announced.
East Suffolk Council’s ‘Quality of Place Awards’ recognise efforts to conserve historic buildings and enhance the built and natural environment through high-quality design.
Nominations were judged on quality of design and detailing, quality of workmanship, use of materials and sustainability.
The winners of the 13th Quality of Place Awards were announced at an awards ceremony on Wednesday 29 November at the Castle Community Rooms in Framlingham.
Cllr Kay Yule, East Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for Planning and Coastal Management and Chair of the Quality of Place judging panel said: "We received a number of high-quality entries for this year’s awards, all of which have been designed to benefit nearby communities, or to conserve buildings which have special local or historic interest. The judging panel were impressed by all the entries and my congratulations go to the winners once again.”
The winners were:
Community Award
For any built or natural environment project designed to benefit the community in which it was built. Judges look at community engagement with the project and the public benefits of the scheme.
Winner - Little Bealings Church Community Hub, All Saints Church, Little Bealings (Mullins Dowse Architects)
This project is the culmination of years of work to turn the underused space of the church into a warm and welcoming multi-functional space. Starting by making repairs and improvements to the interior of the church, and ending with the creation of a kitchen, the church is now able to be used year-round for a variety of activities, bringing members of the local community of all ages together. A dedicated group of volunteers runs a café and organises activities. The care and passion of those involved in the project was clearly visible to the judges, and it is therefore a deserved winner in the community category.
Building Conservation Award
For projects that aim to conserve and enhance the historic environment. The judges considered the conservation approaches and techniques as well as the resulting impact on heritage significance.
Winner – The Old Post Office, Lowestoft (Chaplin Farrant, Kings & Dunne, RG Carter, Aldis & May)
The Old Post Office is a key local landmark in the town centre, and will be an important part of boosting its regeneration. The building was acquired by East Suffolk Council in 2018 as part of the London Road Heritage Action Zone. This first phase of the project focused on the high-quality conservation and repair of the exterior of the building, which included stone repairs, roof repairs, masonry cleaning, window refurbishments and more. At the same time, historical research and engagement with the local community revealed more about the significance of the building, in preparation for the next phase of the project, which will see it open as an art studio and community space. The judges were impressed with the scope of the work and the level of detail behind every decision. The restoration of the Old Post Office will ensure that new life is given to an important historic landmark, enhancing its heritage significance and its connection with the local community.
Highly Commended - The Carriage House, Friston (Lanham Architects)
This residential conversion of a 19th century coach house has taken care to preserve the historic agricultural character of the building, as well as the formal setting of Friston Hall, a Grade II listed building. The carriage bays at ground floor have been kept open and unchanged, which helps to retain the impression of the historic coach house. Judges were impressed with the careful detailing and the quality of the craftsmanship shown internally and externally. Overall this project succeeds as a sensitive, low-key conversion, which will keep an otherwise unused historic building in use in the long term.
Design Award
For new buildings or extensions. Judges consider originality of design, overall architectural effect, and the building’s relationship to its context.
Winner - Castle Community Rooms, Framlingham (James Gorst Architects)
The new community hall occupies a prominent and sensitive site between the Parish Church and Framlingham Castle on land that was once part of the Rectory grounds. Judges were impressed by how the building sits in its setting, as its architectural design succeeds in being calm and unassertive whilst at the same time being distinctively contemporary and of its time. Internally the multi-function brief has been well thought through and catered for, with a sprung floor and cinema facilities included. The value of the new building is immediately clear from its fully booked calendar, showing that the project has more than succeeded in its aims. It stood out to the judges immediately and we were delighted to be able to hold the awards ceremony in this beautiful building.
Photo shows (l-r) Gavin Leeks, Rebecca Styles, Katie May Langridge and Sam Aldis for the Old Post Office, Rev. Gary Jones for the Little Bealings Church Community Hub, Laura O’Brien for the Castle Community Rooms, Andy Lanham for The Carriage House.