Civic success at the Wood Awards

Stoke Newington Town Hall has triumphed in this year’s Wood Awards, winning both the Conservation/Restoration category and the Gold Award.

In presenting the Award to Hawkins\Brown Architects at a ceremony at Carpenters’ Hall in London last Thursday, the chairman of the judges’ chairman, Michael Morrison of Purcell Miller Tritton, praised the historic building project as “truly outstanding”.

Restored to its former art deco glory, Stoke Newington Town Hall consists of two principal spaces: the Council Chamber and the Assembly Hall. Many of the original features of the building, which was constructed in the 1930s, have been retained and expertly restored, including the Australian walnut veneered panelling. The dance floor has also been brought back to life with a new Canadian maple sprung floor.

“Old and new have been seamlessly combined, every detail has been designed and executed to the very highest standard whilst retaining the building’s character,” said Mr Morrison.

Other winners on the night included Sevenoaks School Performing Arts Centre, by Tim Ronalds Architects, which scooped the Commercial & Public Access Award. The 450-seat concert hall, which was developed in close collaboration with structural engineers Price & Myers, features a large timber roof, which provides excellent acoustics. The judges were “instantly overwhelmed by the magnificence and grandeur of the building”, adding “the roof is simply amazing”.

Hull History Centre by Pringle Richards Sharratt Architects Ltd won the Structural Award. The timber arcade structure was designed to be highly visible and a positive focus for the local community, and several structural and geometrical challenges were overcome to create its curved timber members. “A very elegant and clever piece of architecture” was the judges’ verdict.

St Peter’s Centre by Communion Design won the Private/Best Small Project Award. This project comprised free-standing timber ‘boxes’, containing kitchen and toilet facilities, which were designed to blend into the original space with the minimum impact. “This has clearly been a labour of love and care,” said the judges. “The design and craftsmanship are excellent throughout, making the overall effect appear effortless.”

The Fred Perry Reception by Buckley Gray Yeoman won the Furniture Award and three additional “special” awards were made. Newbattle Abbey Bridge by Forestry Civil Engineering won the Best Use of British Timber Award; College Road by Knox Bhavan Architects won the Outstanding Craftsmanship Award; and Achair by David Colwell won the Innovation Award.

The annual Wood Awards is sponsored by The American Hardwood Export Council, the Carpenters’ Company, the Forestry Commission, British Woodworking Federation, ConFor, English Heritage, Malaysian Timber Council, Timber Trade Federation, TRADA, Rooff Ltd and Daniel Watney Chartered Surveyors.