Leaders of Schüco UK and Ireland have announced the winners of the firm’s Excellence Awards 2023. The special anniversary event was held on the Cutty Sark in south-east London, and was preceded by a river cruise along the Thames, where guests were greeted by the raising of Tower Bridge. For the fourth successive year, the awards were presented by the architectural designer and television presenter, Charlie Luxton.
Held in association with Architecture Today, the event is an established part of the industry awards calendar. This year, the awards attracted the highest number of entries to date, according to Schüco’s representatives.
The awards celebrate the innovation and close collaboration between design teams and contractors that successful, high-calibre building projects demand, they added. Judging was guided by four key criteria – creativity, innovation, technical skill and creative collaboration – for each of the categories, with one overall winner announced.
For 2023, the overall winner is Bath Schools of Art and Design at Bath Spa University, by architects Grimshaw in collaboration with specialist contractor Structura.
The project, which was also recognised in the ‘Best education building’ and sustainability categories, was part of the repurposing of the Farrell/Grimshaw factory for Herman Miller, which was originally completed in 1976. The site was purchased in 2016 by Bath Spa University to house the Bath Schools of Art and Design. The building sits within the World Heritage Site of Bath and was listed Grade II in 2013.
Circularity was at the core of the building’s restoration. Its modular façade system was refurbished with Schüco curtain walling and doors to upgrade the building envelope, vastly improving its performance and longevity.
“This building was revisited in a way that maximised the existing building structure and main elements of the façade, upgrading it with purpose,” said Anna Wendt, a judge of the awards and a partner at Buro Happold. “It’s a fantastic example for engineers, architects and designers to review as a case study of circularity.”
Each year, the awards feature the sought-after People’s Choice award, voted for by attendees on the day. This year, that accolade went to the International Rugby Experience. The ‘Cathedral to Rugby’ in Limerick, Ireland, was designed by a team from Níall McLaughlin Architects who worked with representatives of specialist contractors Alutec Facades and KCC Architectural.
Pete Temprell, managing director of Schüco UK and Ireland, added: “We were delighted to attract such a diverse, imaginative and accomplished collection of projects to the awards in its 10th year.
“This is a testament to the success of the important partnerships between architects, contractors and our partners. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to the judges for their careful deliberation, as well as to all those who entered.”
For full details of all the Schüco Excellence Awards 2023 winners, visit the company’s website.
