Housebuilders scoop four major 2008 brick awards

Housebuilders were amongst the winners in the 2008 Brick Awards run by the Brick Development Association. Apparently competition in four categories was especially fierce. Yet four clear winners emerged: Best Private Housing – the Barge Arm Development, Gloucester; Best Public Housing – Broad Road, Sale; Volume Housebuilding – David Wilson Homes; and Best Craftsmanship – new house at Hayes, BerkshireThe entries were judged by a panel of experts chaired by Edward (Ted) Cullinan, this year’s Royal Gold Medallist for Architecture.

Barge Arm is a new build mixed-use regeneration scheme for Crest Nicholson in Gloucester Docks, on a site formerly occupied by car parks and sheds. It’s made up of two buildings, together providing 84 apartments, around an internal courtyard.

Edward Cullinan Architects designed the development. The brickwork contractors were Cowlin Construction, and Ibstock Brick supplied its Birtley Olde English bricks.

The judges were impressed with development’s ‘empathy with surrounding buildings.’ They added: ‘This new building acknowledges its context by taking clues from the existing warehouses without slavishly copying them.

‘Whilst there are a number of materials used externally, the brickwork provides a unifying theme that is fundamental to the success of the composition. The buildings create a number of external spaces that enhance the experience of living in well designed apartments.’

Broad Road used white brick to reflect light into common areas of this housing development – and that really caught the judges’ eye. It’s a difficult brick to lay but contractor Richardson Projects pulled it off, using Platinum Smooth White brick from Wienerberger to great effect.

Architect MBLA designed the development in an L-shape, forming an open courtyard facing south. It puts some distance between the living rooms and the street and ensures noise from a nearby tramline is minimised.

According to the judges, ‘this building makes the best of what initially appears to be an uncompromising site. The brickwork is exceptionally well laid. Difficult features are skilfully executed, contributing to the striking appearance of this elegant building.’

David Wilson Homes scored a hat-trick with three developments in Hampshire. It designed and built all three, and made exceptional use of brick’s incredible variety.

Heron’s landing in Fareham is made up of 16 contemporary-style two, three and four bedroom waterside homes. It used Ibstock’s Cheddar Red, Cheddar Golden and Audley Red Mixture Stock.

Eton Court, also in Fareham, represented a different challenge. It’s very much in keeping with the former building, and David Wilson Homes went out of its way to provide a new build that closely emulates the surrounds. Again, it chose Ibstock – Parham Red Stock and Berkshire Orange Stock.

And the developer opted for Ibstock again for The Hermitage, in Emsworth. The size of the buildings, the materials, detailing and windows are all in keeping with the look and character of Emsworth. Ibstock provided its Surrey Orange and Surrey Cream Multi bricks.

‘These three schemes demonstrated the developer’s sensitivity to the potential of different sites and a determination to produce high quality homes whatever the location,’ the judges said. They were also impressed by the ‘consistently high level of finish and variety.’

The Hayes House is in a class of its own. ‘If you’re going to use past styles, this is how to do it,’ the judges said. The house – designed by Robert Adam Architects – is in the tradition of those designed by Andrea Palladio around Venice during the 16th century.

The project involved knocking down an existing house and barn, to make way for the new home and garages. The plainness of the elevations meant the choice of brick and the detailing was critically important. Contractor RJ Smith built 12 sample brick panels. In the end, they opted for HG Matthew’s multi-red facing brick, laid in lime mortar.

‘The craftsmanship displayed on this Palladian house is awe-inspiring,’ the judges said.

Everyone concerned with the project – from client to architect to contractor – has demonstrated a determination to produce only the best.

‘The immaculate brickwork with penny-jointed mortar and elegant arches will long stand as a testament to the skill of the bricklayers.’

The Brick Awards are open to anyone, whether they’re architects/designers, owners, developers, housebuilders, specialist brickwork contractors or brick manufacturers. The only stipulation is that for all the awards – aside from the worldwide category – the project must feature clay bricks and pavers made by BDA members.

More information: www.brick.org.uk/awards/2008