HCS announces winners of the 2019 Design Awards

President Bernard Ainsworth presents the overall winner award to Manor House hotel manager Mark Ayre.

We announce with pleasure the winners of the 2019 Huddersfield Civic Society design awards.

​Chairman David Wyles and former Chairman Chris Marsden judged an impressive range of projects nominated by HCS members and the public in early February 2020.

Unfortunately, the coronavirus lockdown scuppered plans to present the winning owners, agents and architects with awards at Huddersfield Town Hall in March, and the ceremony was postponed.

Several months later the awards are being presented on site, with attractive laser cut trophies produced by Green Slate Trophies of Burnley. Happily, the quality of projects prompted the judges to award three further commendations.

They also decided that Manor House, Lindley, should win the overall award, the choice from a close run pack. The hotel is imbued with the care and attention of the owners whose skill and dedication have produced an exemplar project.

We hope these projects demonstrate the value of good design to the individual owners and to the heritage and built environment of the town. In these difficult times it is of particular importance that those projects which are local business enterprises are afforded our support and best wishes.

BEST RESIDENTIAL
Extension to dwelling, Holly Bank, Haughs Road, Quarmby
Architect: Fibre Architects

This late Georgian house with its fine ashlar frontage and set in landscaped grounds, has benefitted from an extremely high quality contemporary extension to its rather undistinguished rear elevation. Melding old and new has been accomplished with great panache and a seemingly effortless flow between the two has been executed by careful detailing and high quality fixtures.  Extensive glazing provides light into a living area which itself flows into the restored garden area, resulting in a dynamic link between internal and external spaces.  Both Fibre Architects and the client, with support from Historic England,  have clearly worked closely to achieve this successful outcome, ensuring a historic and elegant residence provides for 21st century aspirations. ​

BEST REFURBISHMENT
Manor House, 1 Lidget Street, Lindley

There are occasions when the opportunity for restoring and giving new life to a building are embedded in the vision of the person who was first inspired to create something special within it. Formerly owned by Kirklees Council, this Grade II listed building had been left semi-derelict when interior designer, Sara Presley purchased it and converted it into an 11 bedroom hotel with restaurant, fitness and reception facilities. Sara’s vision is apparent both externally and internally. The fabric of the main building has been carefully restored and cleaned, retaining the elegant Georgian detailing with sympathetic restoration work to the former stables and outbuildings. This is further enhanced by charming and appropriate landscaping. The interior provides glitz and luxurious fittings, wholly appropriate for this standard of hotel and, without doubt, a valuable addition to Huddersfield’s visitor facilities.

Martin Paterson, Phillip Carter and Ian Brook of Donaldson’s with builder Eddie Dyson.

BEST COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Donaldson’s Veterinary Hospital, Somerset Road
Architect: Tony Mallalieu
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Sadly, Huddersfield architect, Tony Mallalieu, died soon after the completion of this high quality project. It is a fitting tribute to him and, as with a number of other Design Award projects, demonstrates that a close relationship between architect and client often results in outstanding developments.
In this case the long experience of the architect combined with the knowledge and understanding of the veterinary team, led by Director, Martin Paterson has resulted in a perfect blend of form and function. The building sits solid and comfortable on the site of derelict garages adjacent to a local recreation area. Inside there has clearly been great effort in combining a huge range of technical and specialised equipment while retaining bright and practical managed spaces

Mohammed Sardar of Chaiiwala.

BEST SHOP FRONT
Chaiiwala, 2 Greenhead Road
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Huddersfield Civic Society has for many years berated the poor quality of shop fronts, especially within the town centre, but this conversion, just outside the centre, demonstates how the quality of a shop’s frontage is a key in attracting attention and business.
As the name implies, Chaiiwala is a teahouse, serving non-alcoholic drinks and light meals, part of a franchise operation with a number of outlets across the country.
It is set within a late Victorian building on the corner of Greenhead Road and Trinity Street in a Conservation Area that combines fine quality buildings, sometimes marred by poor maintenance. In this case the designers have incorporated relatively plain but sympathetic signage, glazing and related features. The result is stylish and effective and the venue is highly popular, especially among young people

Owners Matt and Joanne Salisbury flanked by joiner Nigel Watson and landscaper Chris Rees

BEST NEW BUILD
2 Kew Hill, Lindley Moor

Developer and owner Matt Salisbury created this comfortable, attractive and sustainable home on what was previously the site of a derelict farm outbuilding.
​On the very edge of Huddersfield with extensive views over the surrounding countryside, the house nestles into the hillside using the slope to define the interior spaces.
​Internal finishes, especially the joinery have been executed to a high standard and the basement area allows for the provision of energy efficient heat pump technology that help ensure this home provides a functional, comfortable and well-proportioned family home

Andrew France, AHR Architects; Robert Sutcliffe, Daily Examiner; Tim Hosker, Acting Director, Estates & Facilities, Huddersfield University.

HUDDERSFIELD DAILY EXAMINER READERS’ AWARD
Barbara Hepworth Building, University of Huddersfield
Architect: AHR Architects

Two years ago the University’s Oastler Building received the Examiner Readers’ Award and it comes as no surprise that the equally distinctive Barbara Hepworth Building has followed in receiving the public’s thumbs up.
Architecture, rather like the work of the sculptor after whom the building is named, often divides opinion. In this case the materials, dramatic cantilever, bold typography and expansive spatial layout, invite a mix of responses.
​Nevertheless, it is indubitably a stunning structure that, again, adds a distinctive quality to the attractions of the university campus. It also achieves a high level of environmental sustainability, an important consideration in determining the quality of Design Award nominations.

COMMUNITY AWARD
Queensgate Market Mural
​Designed by Kasia Breska
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Commissioned by Kirklees Council, this lively and sometimes enigmatic work was painted by Kasia Breska a muralist whose inspiration was the architecture of this remarkable building. As part of the project the artist ran three sets of creative workshops aimed at the ways of perceiving and experiencing the space. As a community space it can be enjoyed purely for the artwork displayed or for relaxation, with even a piano for anyone to play. It is appropriate that this award is being given during the year in which the market celebrates its 50th anniversary. Its future, as many know, is currently subject to some of the proposals embedded in the Council’s Blueprint for the town centre.

COMMENDATIONS
The high standard of projects nominated resulted in a decision, for the first time, to award commendation certificates to three projects. They are:

A Little of Everything, Morley Lane, Milnsbridge
A takeaway and salad bar carefully and lovingly converted from what were Milnsbridge’s public toilets.

Gate Pier Restoration, Bankfield, 12 Edgerton Road
Edgerton’s Conservation Area is not only important for its grand Victorian houses but also for those details that add to its exceptional heritage value. This repair, though small, demonstrates the importance of such features in the built environment.

Cote Royd Dental Practice – Former Stables Building, Halifax Road
Functional, deceptively simple yet elegant conversion and extension by Fibre Architects to former stables, within the grounds of Cote Royd in Edgerton Conservation Area.