CONSERVATION AWARD WINNERS 2022

The presentation of the 47th Isle of Wight Society Conservation Awards and the 12th RIBA (IW) New Build Awards took place on Thursday 30th June at Northwood House.

 
The Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Susie Sheldon, made the presentations, aided by the Chair persons of IWS, David Burdett, and of RIBA (IW), Leah Mew.

The Main Isle of Wight Society Conservation Award went to the Church of St Michael the Archangel Shalfleet.

Here, Wight Stonemasonry and Southern Lights had combined their craftsmanship to restore the east window for Shalfleet PCC.

What the judges said:
This is an example of authentic and positive conservation. The time and effort involved by all concerned made the project feel like a labour of love.

The work of glaziers and stonemasons combined – easy to take for granted – but most impressive, secures the future of this centre piece window.  Knowing the Island has the expertise in workmanship of this calibre is reassuring for the future.

Certificates of Merit went to two properties:

Hill Farm, Freshwater,had a redundant barn that was skilfully converted into a ground hugging home by Colman Cotter of modh design for the owner Jamie Sheldon, by builders J R Buckett and Sons.

Hill Farm

What the judges said:
This is a unique and articulate design - showing control of space and attention to detail.
Retaining elements of the original steel frame, while subtracting some of the mass, is a clever and visually satisfying approach.

The second Certificate of Merit was awarded to Waterfall Lodge, Lower Calbourne, another design by Colman Cotter, where a ramshackle collection of old barns in a sensitive location had been recreated into a home by owners Jane & Peter French, reusing many of the old materials in the beautiful new walls.

What the judges said:
This is a successful use of old barn buildings to create a distinctive home.
Artistically inventive, the work reveals the owner’s skill in reusing the reclaimed stone, brick, and timber doors to excellent effect.

The Sybil Bodycomb Award for a small project went to G J Banks (IW) Ltd, for their skill in taking on the restoration of The weather vane at Osborne House, a hair raising venture.

Lifting the weathervane into position

What the judges said:
This was a striking piece of true conservation.
It was a deceptively modest project – of almost heroic quality.
The work was underpinned by G J Banks experience and skill, responsiveness, adaptability and commitment.

Several other properties were entered and all were sincerely congratulated on the efforts that had been made to maintain or improve the character of the Island as we would like to see it maintained in the future.

These included The Former Lloyds Bank building set within the Conservation Area at Bembridge, now cleverly converted into three units

The former Lloyds Bank

Half the old station at Godshill, which now celebrates its previous existence,

and Bank Farm Cottage at Newbridge, where a poor 70s addition has been neatly disguised as a barn.

Also presented was the CPRE Dark Skies Merlin Award, which this year was presented to Colman Cotter RIBA and Victoria Richardson for their sensitive lighting for their clients Mr & Mrs Andrew Watt at Howgate Orchard, Bembridge.

Howgate Orchard

The CPRE applauds those architects and designers who build sensitive lighting schemes into their designs. Concepts such as shining lights down and not up into the sky, and selecting the right wattage fittings are necessary, as well as using timers or sensors to turn lights off when not required.