CIAT

Minstead Study Centre - Winner

The submission for the new Eco-Dormitory was the judge’s unanimous choice as the outright winner of the Award. The building was designed to provide residential accommodation within a woodland site for primary age school children and replaces a number of existing buildings.

The approach to the design of the building shows sustainability is a strong influence with the use of locally sourced timber and materials, combined with the use of tradesmen with local experience.

The quality of the work is in keeping with the design of the structure, with the use of low maintenance materials which have been carefully selected to provide a functional building.

Insulation has been provided to a high level, and the choice of building services is compatible with the designer’s aim of producing a new building compatible with the Study Centre’s environmental credentials. The innovative use of carvings by local craftsmen was also noted, together with the external material choices which allow the building to blend into its surroundings.

The judges felt that the building had achieved the designer’s aims and produced a very stimulating building for the use and education of children and their teachers. The judges felt that the winner succeeds in the true sense of the Institute’s Award for Technical Excellence.

Birmingham Burns Centre and Expanded Education Centre - Highly Commended

The project is an extension to the existing Victorian Children’s Hospital in Birmingham City Centre, and is within a conservation area. The project has been designed to provide an Outpatients Department, a neo-natal unit, a burns ward and a burns operating theatre, together with an educational centre, all within a tightly confined site.

The building was also designed to achieve the requirements and conditions required by the burns unit with its specialist environment.

The design of the building provides integration of the floor levels with the adjacent hospital allowing full access to be available to all areas. The external design is of note with cantilevered structure and innovative cladding designed for this specific purpose.

This building merits its award on the technology encompassed in its design and use of materials. The judges were of the opinion that the design achieved its aims and the pioneering use of materials both internally and externally provides an impressive and vibrant building.

Stanley Municipal Services Building - Highly Commended

This project provides leisure and cultural facilities for the local area of Stanley and its design and presentation caught the judge’s interest. The design had to allow for the steep change in levels across the site and to provide full access for the public. The layout uses a staggered height design with open terraces.

The design compliments the existing trees which have been retained, and the use of a green skin and the courtyard details are both especially noteworthy. The design team have encompassed energy conservation with passive shading devices, natural ventilation, energy saving devices, heat pumps and grey water re-use. The glass floor with its motorised louvre system is impressive.

The judges appreciated the exemplary design that had been created to suit the site conditions and produce a building that is both dynamic and functional.

The judges were Andrew Scott MCAIT, Vice-President Technical, Mark Kennett MCIAT, President-Elect,  Lawrence Coussell MCIAT and Dave Adams MCIAT.