Pictured above: (l-r) Matt Faber (Conservation Technician),
Adrian Mathias (Project Architect Associate Director), Chris Parkin
(Technician)
Lichfield architects Brownhill Hayward Brown have won the Royal
Institution of Chartered Surveyors Building Conservation Award for
the repair and conservation of a 17th Century Malthouse located
within the grounds of Harvington Hall, a Grade I listed Manor House
in Worcestershire dating back to the 14th Century.
The Bird Street based practice, renowned for its expertise and
sensitive restoration of heritage buildings and churches, carried
out extensive repairs and converted the property to a teaching and
visitor centre. The works were sponsored by the Heritage Lottery
Fund and opened last spring (2009).
Adrian Mathias, and a director with Brownhill Hayward Brown
said, "This was a particularly important project for us and we are
delighted that our work has been recognised by the RICS for its
quality of design and workmanship.
"We have enjoyed bringing a new lease of life to this formerly
redundant building, through careful conservation and sensitive
conversion. The facility now significantly improves the experience
of visitors to Harvington Hall."
The scheme included upgrading facilities, improving access for
the disabled, and restoring the ground floor of the adjacent Grade
II Georgian chapel.
Pictured above: Harvington Hall
Harvington Hall is a moated medieval and Elizabethan manor house
which belongs to the Archdiocese of Birmingham, is renowned for its
large number of priest holes.
Brownhill Hayward Brown has won a number of Civic Trust
Commendations as well as recognition from the Royal Institute of
British Architects for its outstanding conservation work throughout
the UK.
Andrew Hayward managing director said: "We are extremely proud
that the quality of our conservation work has been recognised in
this way by the RICS. We were selected as winners from a very
strong field of entries, by a very experienced and well informed
panel of judges."
Now in their 10th year, the RICS awards are widely acknowledged
as an annual celebration of built environment projects that
demonstrate true excellence and commitment to sustainability and
value for money.
Ian Pitt, RICS West Midlands Regional Chair commented: "The
judges felt that the Harvington Hall conservation project has been
completed to an extremely high standard and that the Malthouse
building should now be considered a real asset to the Hall and its
grounds. The project not only successfully retained many of the
buildings original features, therefore helping preserve the
integrity of the Hall, but it has also helped substantially improve
the overall visitor experience."
Brownhill Hayward Brown's extensive refurbishment of Bilston
Town Hall was also shortlisted for a conservation award. The
ceremony was held at Stonebridge Golf Club, Meriden.
For more information about Brownhill Hayward Brown, please visit
their website here: www.bhbarchitects.co.uk