South Norfolk celebrates its Grand Designs

As the nation gets ready to switch on to the new series of TV's Grand Designs, South Norfolk Council has unveiled the stunning winners of its 2005 design awards.

The awards, which have been going for five years, are now riding the crest of a wave of interest in all aspects of interior and exterior design as millions tune in to shows ranging from Homefront to Changing Rooms.

Councillor Tim East, Design Champion for South Norfolk, and innovator of the design award concept, said:

"These awards play an important role in our Council's strategy to promote and raise awareness of the value of good design. You don't have to live or work in South Norfolk to have your say, you just need to have been inspired or impressed by a recent building or landscape here.

"The standards just seem to be getting better and better, and so our aspirations for the awards are higher. That means it is much tougher to win these awards.

"Where we were disappointed was the landscape category, where we received no entries. There must be some excellent examples of design and we would love to see them in next year's competition."

David Edleston, South Norfolk Council's Conservation and Design Architect said:

"This year's winners grab your attention and imagination and show what can be achieved when you bring design and sustainability together. These are the homes and buildings of the future. Walking through them and around them is an unforgettable experience and shows just how good design can contribute to our lives and environment."

New building category

Won by Mulberry Barn, Dickleburgh, designed by Feilden & Mawson Architects, Norwich for Helen and Mark Jennings.

It was designed to meet wheelchair access requirements, is very open plan, and is a positive, forward-looking interpretation of the traditional agricultural barn. It is a creative and distinctive solution which uses modern techniques and window design.

The views are extraordinary. The extensive use of glass round the ground floor means the inside is warm in winter, using the winter sun's energy, and cool in summer, using the overhangs which create shade.

Natural materials and finishes are present everywhere including clay brick and tile and cedar boarding, while inside are big, open spaces using masses of natural light

A first floor balcony with wheelchair access gives more breathtaking views, but it can be screened by timber shutters and roof windows which also allow sunlight deep into the building.

Conservation category

Won by The Old Barns, Upper Stoke Holy Cross, converted to residential use for Gill and Ian Findlater, designed by Peter Skinner of Skinner Architects, Bollington, Cheshire.

In converting these redundant farm buildings, the goal was to create a modern, energy efficient space to live in, which respects the character of the historic barns and greatly improves their setting in the landscape.

It is packed with energy saving ideas, blazing a trail for future living. It uses:

- local building materials and skills; - a heat pump for all hot water and underfloor heating; - sheepswool insulation; - rainwater harvesting for toilets and washing machine; - organic paints throughout; - an ultra-efficient multi-fuel stove.

Highly original and sustainable, this home brings together the traditional - like the timber frame - with the futuristic, like the steel frame and stainless steel staircase linking the newly-inserted first floor. Natural light comes in everywhere giving the interior air and space.

Commendation

In the new building category, a certificate of commendation to the Garden House, Wymondham designed by Paul Lucas of Lucas Hickman-Smith Architects for Mr and Mrs Lucas.

The Garden House is on the edge of the conservation area on a site where there is a big change in level between street and garden. It uses traditional materials in a modern way through high level glazing. Again sustainability has been the key concern with organic paints, and insulation material made from recycled newspapers.

The building form is simple but bold. Set on three floors, it uses the minimum ground space - which has made it more energy efficient. The level changes are utilised creatively to minimise the visual impact for people at street level.

The South Norfolk Design Awards presentations will be presented at South Norfolk House by Council chairman Bob McClenning, at 12 noon on Wednesday 19th October.

All the schemes nominated were visited by an assessment panel. Headed by South Norfolk Design Champion Cllr Tim East, its members are: Cllr John Peterson, who leads for the council on the environment, Cllr Martin Wynne, nominated by the Planning Committee, Matthew Wood, external assessor on behalf of the Royal Institute of British Architects, David Edleston, South Norfolk Council Conservation and Design Architect and Steve Beckett, Council Senior Conservation Officer

The awards underline the council's fundamental belief in the value of good design and the contribution this makes to the quality of the built environment and the landscape. It is just one of the initiatives the council uses as it seeks to improve the quality of design wherever new development is proposed.

This year, and for the first time since the award was established, the categories for nomination were expanded to include awards for conservation and landscape. Ten schemes were nominated: 5 new developments, 3 conservation projects and 2 for extensions to existing buildings. No nominations were received in the landscape category, and next year the council will focus on promoting this area.

Schemes this year ranged from residential developments, a school extension and retail development through to a barn conversion, extension to a listed building and reconstruction of a fire damaged listed building.

Nominations came from individuals including owners, agents and a Parish Council.

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