Awards Presented to Guildford’s Most Inspiring Building Designers

Published on: 22 Nov, 2017
Updated on: 22 Nov, 2017

By Louisa Magnussen

Guildford’s most inspiring building designers have been honoured at an awards ceremony at Guildford’s Guildhall.

Guildford Design Awards winners.

Celebrating and promoting exciting and innovative building design, The Guildford Design Awards included work that has been recognised as improving the architecture, heritage, conservation and sustainability of the borough.

On November 7 award winners and commended entries received framed certificates, presented to them by the Mayor of Guildford, Nigel Manning, and the leader of Guildford Borough Council, Cllr Paul Spooner.

Each project was judged on its individual merits by an independent panel of five judges whose professions include architecture, landscape architecture and mechanical engineering.

Beach Cottage, Guildford.

The winners were:

Beech Cottage, Guildford – Winner of Renovation. Entered by the owners.

Judges comments: “An outstanding renovation and extension which shows a mastery of its historical setting, its handling of the design language and its physical geography. It nestles comfortably in its hill top setting with its exquisitely considered landscaping.”

The Jenner Building, Pirbright Institute, Pirbright – Winner of New Build Commercial. Entered by NBBJ.

Judges comments: “Another outstanding building at Pirbright, which shows a consideration on many levels. From the massive scale of the entrance portico, and the dominant rhythm of the façade to the intimacy of the interior spaces.

“There is an express relationship to nature throughout building from the direct connection in the offices spaces with their outwards views to the indirect ethereal quality in the laboratories with their illuminating light wells.”

The Jenna Building, Pirbright.

Highly commended were:

Loseley Chapel, St Nicolas Church, Guildford – Restoration. Entered by Daedalus Conservation – Highly Commended for sensitive repairs in a Historic Context.
1 Kernel Court, Walnut Tree Close, Guildford – New Build. Entered by AB Rogers Design – Highly Commended for its design ethos.

Commended were:

Poltimore Road – Extension and Alterations. Entered by MVL Architects and surveyors
Twiga Lodge, Gomshall – Environmental Sustainability. Entered by the owners
School of Veterinary Medicine – New Build. Entered by The University of Surrey
Catherine’s Walk, Guildford – New Build. Entered by SCD Architects
Skyridge, Peaslake – Environmental Sustainability. Entered by LEATHWAITE

Special mention to finalist who received a certificate: