AT Awards: 2018 Winners

The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) is pleased to announce the winners for its annual Architectural Technology Awards. Presented by CIAT President Alex Naraian on 14 September 2018, the Awards celebrate the latest achievements and highest quality in Architectural Technology.

The event, hosted by Matt Allwright, was attended by a cross section of the built environment sector and showcased Architectural Technology both in practise and as a key academic discipline, demonstrating the growth and impact within the UK and internationally. The inaugural presentation was made for the Chartered Architectural Technologist of the Year Award.

The 2018 winners are:

The Chartered Architectural Technologist of the Year Award 
Winner: Dan Rossiter MCIAT, Chartered Architectural Technologist
Dan is young, has achieved much and will achieve much more. He is demonstrably a credit to CIAT with much of what he does open to wide and critical scrutiny. He is a recognised industry professional commanding respect from CEOs and industry leaders. Through his role at BRE as Senior BIM Communicator, his personal energy and his award-winning Blog, they all combine as a multiplier effect to the benefit of UK construction.

The Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology 
Winner: The Engine Shed, Historic Environment Scotland/Reiach & Hall Architects
The Engine Shed is Scotland’s dedicated building conservation centre based in Stirling. Excellent conservation practice is demonstrated through the use of traditional materials, technology and sustainability to demonstrate the adaption and reuse of a historic building for a new life. With sustainability at the heart of the design, the judges were unanimous in their decision that the project is the worthy winner of the 2018 Award.

Highly Commended: Gresham’s School Britten Building, LSI Architects
Gresham’s School is a co-educational school accommodating day pupils and boarders from across the UK and overseas. A highly competent and well considered solution to create an excellent learning environment for music.

Commended: AgriSTEM, Maber Architects
The AgriSTEM Academy was the third and final part of the development at South Staffordshire College and is a building that the college can be proud of.

The Alan King Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology (for projects valued £750k  or under)
Winner: Old Gale Farm, Ambleside, John Coward Architects Ltd
A c.17th Century farmhouse renovated and modernised as a peaceful retreat for a retired couple. Careful consideration of the breathability of existing structures shows an excellent understanding of how to combine traditional methods of construction to meet the demands of modern living.

Highly Commended: Alterations and Extension to The Grange, Stuart Davidson Architecture
The aim of the project was to reinvigorate a dated traditional dwelling house and create a contemporary ‘family hub’ section. The entrant clearly understood the judging criteria and addressed each of the categories in a well-considered manner.

Commended: Stead Street, Eckington, France and Associates
A bespoke two storey home accessible for the client and to the form the basis of continued rehabilitation after an accident that left her severely visually impaired. A lifetime home was created and delivered.

Vice-President Technical, Kevin Crawford MCIAT and Chair of the Judging Panel said

“The finalists for both Awards were all of an exceptional standard and the winners all shared one thing — a clear demonstration of Architectural Technology as a key design function and how necessary it is to achieve buildability, usability and create inclusive environments. My congratulations go to all our finalists and I look forward to visiting the projects and presenting the plaques for permanent attachment to the buildings.”

Student Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology (Project) 
(recognising outstanding design achievement in Architectural Technology based upon a university/college assignment)

Winner: School of Architectural Technology, Elizabete Jakobsone, Institute of Technology Carlow
A design of a new school of Architectural Technology with a creative, innovative design solution underpinned by the application of science and engineering. An exemplary winner.

Commended: The David Lloyd Lymington Sports Village, Tristan Salkeld, Solent University
A sports village complex designed on the principles of sustainability and environmental performance.

Student Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology (Report) 
(recognising outstanding research achievement in Architectural Technology from a dissertation assignment)

Winner: In Situ Reinforcement of Timber Beams in a Conservation Setting, Darren Nelson, University of Central Lancashire
An experimental study was undertaken to determine the strength of reinforced timber joists using the near surface mount method. A research area that is topical and important for Architectural Technology, retrofit design, conservation and sustainability.

Highly Commended: Special Educational Needs Facilities — An Analysis of the Necessities for Inclusion, Simone Gray, City College Plymouth
This research focused upon inclusivity and wellbeing linked to special needs facilities and the design of spaces for people who would benefit from such an environment.

Commended: Mind the (Performance) Gap — Embraing Technology to Enhance On-site Performance, Erin O’Kane, Ulster University
Identifying the problems between designed performance and as built performance alongside the lifespan characteristics.

Vice-President Education, Paul Laycock MCIAT said

“Our Architectural Technology students once again deliver innovative and thought provoking designs and reports that take the discipline to the next level. I am excited by how they will be practising and utilising these attributes in the real world. With talented graduates such as these I greatly look forward to the future of our discipline.”

All the Awards are featured on our website https://ciat.org.uk/awards.html and in the autumn issue of AT Journal. Films can also be found on our YouTube channel, youtube.com/ciatechnologist from Monday 17 September. The Awards reopen in the New Year for 2019.