South Norfolk Design Awards 2005

Further information

New building category

Mulberry Barn, Dickleburgh

Designed by Feilden & Mawson Architects, Norwich
Client: Helen and Mark Jennings.

This building was designed to meet the client’s specific wheelchair access requirements resulting in a plan form which is compact and largely open plan. The intention was to design a building which would be a positive, forward looking interpretation of traditional agricultural forms in terms of its massing and use of materials, whilst at the same time creating a distinctive solution, with contemporary detailing and fenestration.

The building has been positioned on the site to maximise views and the potential for passive solar gain and space heating is provided through the screed to the ground floor. Natural materials and finishes have been used throughout including clay brick and tile and cedar boarding and the external envelope is designed to be maintenance free.

The interior of the building has a highly contemporary spatial quality through the use of natural lighting and attention to detail is evident throughout the whole building. Large areas of glazing to the living room allow useful solar gain in the winter but the large roof overhangs provide shade in the summer months. A first floor balcony allows expansive views and can be screened by timber shutters and roof windows allow sunlight deep into the building.

Conservation category

The Old Barns, Upper Stoke Holy Cross

Designers: Peter Skinner of Skinner Architects, Bollington, Cheshire
Clients: Gill and Ian Findlater

This scheme involves the conversion of a group of redundant farm buildings to residential use. The principal aim was to create a modern, energy efficient dwelling, which would respect the character of the existing buildings and greatly improve their setting in the surrounding landscape.

Sustainability issues were at the forefront of the design and many energy saving issues have been incorporated, including:

• the use of local building materials & local building skills;
• a heat pump to provide all hot water and underfloor heating;
• sheepswool as the insulation material;
• a rainwater harvesting system for wc’s and washing machine;
• use of organic paints throughout and an ultra efficient multi-fuel stove.

The resulting scheme is an innovative and highly sustainable conversion, which creates an interesting juxtaposition between the traditional building features such as the timber frame and contemporary additions including the steel frame and the stainless steel staircase linking the newly inserted first floor. The imaginative use of natural lighting is evident throughout the whole building giving the interior a distinctive light and airy spatial quality.

Commendation

The Garden House, Wymondham

Architect : Paul Lucas, Lucas Hickman-Smith, Wymondham

This scheme is located on the edge of the conservation area on a site where there is a considerable change in level between the street and the garden.

The design uses traditional materials in a contemporary manner through the treatment of the fenestration and the use of high level glazing. Sustainable building techniques have been incorporated including the use of organic paints and insulation material made from recycled newspapers. The form of the building has been kept simple and by utilising three floors, the footprint of the building has been kept to a minimum and as a consequence is more energy efficient.

The design is a simple, yet bold contemporary solution which utilises the change in level in an innovative way which minimises the visual impact at street level and apparent scale of the building.