We are pleased to announce that the winners in the 2015/16 ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute Sustainable Design Awards are:
New build residential (single or small scale)
House No. 7, Tiree
On the site of a former ruined black roof house this is a development of high quality finish and detailing, an example being, pitch pine stairs leading to the kitchen which take their inspiration from a woodpile in a crofter's loft and were recycled from a Victorian warehouse. Window positions have been carefully designed to allow the best views from the kitchen and living areas yet display a refined and sensitive response to the setting. This development balances the traditional Tiree vernacular of the former ruin with sensitive contemporary design informed by the architecture of crofters' sheds. Each element of the design was given a significant level of architectural thought with strong, "playful" connections between each of the spaces.
New build large scale residential development
Park Square Redevelopment, Campbeltown
The Park Square development by ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ Community Housing Association in association with ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ & Bute Council is part of the town's Kinloch Road Regeneration project providing 32 new build flats and houses. This is a particularly well considered site layout with its striking three storey frontage blocks enhanced by innovative stone effect cladding. The positioning of the buildings has provided views through the site framing the houses set within and the church tower beyond and also created a pedestrian route providing welcome physical connection through the site. The existing flatted building is sensitively incorporated, bookended by two modern elements including a feature roundhouse building which draw the eye away from the existing block. A high quality palette of materials and finishes are evident throughout the development from the pre-painted zinc rainwater goods to the stone effect cladding. Solar hot water panels on the roofs of the flats provide hot water to the residents whilst the innovative sun spaces create remarkably flexible indoor/outdoor areas that benefit from solar gain.
New build non-residential
Portavadie Leisure and Spa, Portavadie Marina
This is a high quality redevelopment of a brownfield site with a building appropriate to what is a very special setting. The flat roof design helps reduce impact from the sea and the overall building shows empathy with the wider Portavadie Marina design concept. The use of glazing and lighting for the internal and external perspective is exemplar and innovative. The building features elements such as biomass heating, LED lighting and green roofs helping create a low carbon footprint and the leisure and spa use has provided positive economic and community benefit to the area.
Redevelopment or refurbishment of an existing building
Greystones Hotel, Oban
This is a high quality refurbishment of a historic Listed Building providing guest accommodation in the town of Oban. It displays significant attention to detail and outstanding workmanship and has included the restoration of original features such as original room shapes, repair of the cornicing and the re-opening of fireplaces whilst the windows have also been comprehensively refurbished. Alongside the restoration of the traditional elements this refurbishment also displays subtle use of contemporary additions in its fittings and furniture. This high quality refurbishment of Greystones has helped provide a long term future for the building with economic and tourism benefit to the town.
Commendation award - New build non-residential
Tayvallich Primary School Early Years Unit
This new build, adjacent to the existing Victorian school building has a high standard of design which is set within a National Scenic Area. The high quality detailing, materials and finishes including Scottish larch and re-cycled stone from original buildings on site along with the use of modern elements successfully respect the existing, traditional school building. The development has created a nice, well equipped internal environment for the children with good use of both natural and artificial lighting and the building is complimented by the use of solar panels and an air source heat pump.