New Forest National Park Authority 2023 Building Design Awards revealed
ARCHITECTS have been recognised for making their grand designs a reality in the New Forest.
The national park authority's 2023 Building Design Awards honoured craftspeople in several categories, with prizes presented by NPA chair Gavin Parker.
Awards judge Gordon Bailey, chair of the NPA's planning committee, said: "Our role is to ensure that new developments make a positive contribution to the New Forest’s special character.
"We’re pleased to reward these winning designs, which show how high-quality developments can conserve and enhance the national park.
"Not only do they incorporate sustainable construction, lighting and materials, but their proportions and materials are sympathetic to their setting within the landscape and our villages.
"Congratulations to the very worthy winners of these outstanding schemes."
Best Green Building went to Little Hill in Hyde, which was praised by NPA policy and conservation manager David Illsley.
He said: "Little Hill is a really positive example of a replacement dwelling in a rural conservation area that enhances the site through a design inspired by New Forest agricultural buildings.
"The new home achieves the highest energy performance rating."
Highly commended in the Best Green Building category was residential building Pannage Green in Lyndhurst.
David Lovegrove Architecture took a "holistic design approach" to the new-build property including a rainwater harvester, heat vent recovery system, triple-glazed windows, wildlife boxes and a pond.
The Best Conservation Scheme award went to the Grade 2 listed Wood End House near Lymington, which had fallen into disrepair and been "unsympathetically altered" in the past.
By using a historic photo of the home as a guide, Ringwood-based Sheerin Bettle Architecture reintroduced features like sash windows, original chimney designs, and heritage cast iron works to the building.
The home’s historically significant ceiling moulds and friezes were also painstakingly preserved, and outbuildings newly built from handmade bricks.
The Best Non-Residential Building award went to veterinary hospital Unit One at Forest Corner Farm near Ringwood.
Sheerin Bettle designed its new reception, consulting area and surgery to replace a large corrugated tin-clad grain store and mill building.
The scheme was based on the style of a Hampshire threshing barn with central opposing gables and large barn door openings.
The judging panel said it was "impressed" with the simple form and detailing, materials and joinery which tied the design into the adjacent stable buildings.
Mr Illsley added: "The panel commended the building’s high energy efficiency standards, as well as its traditional detailing in keeping with its location in the Western Escarpment Conservation Area."
Highly commended in the Best Non-Residential Building category was the Grade 2 listed Minstead Lodge.
Winchester-based TKLS Architects designed a new toilet block and wet room there to replace an existing lean-to toilet and pottery kiln.
The awards were made from sustainable local oak by New Forest company BearWood.
