Our Annual Awards 2004

Thanks to the sponsorship received from Suffolk College the Awards Evening was held for the third successive year in the Lecture Theatre at the College on 10 November. Eleven nominations were received including one for an ongoing restoration. The nominations included large public and private and small private projects.

The Chairman of the Society, Jack Chapman, welcomed the full capacity audience of members and guests, and apologised that the Mayor was unable to be present because the event coincided with a meeting of Ipswich Borough Council.

The Chairman then introduced John Norman who on behalf of Suffolk College gave a short illustrated presentation on the proposed development of the area bounded by Rope Walk, Alexandra Park, the Waterfront and Grimwade Street for new buildings to accommodate the work of Suffolk College and establish a university campus.

This was followed by the main business of the evening which was a computerised slide presentation by Chris Wiltshire, a former chairman of the Society, in which each nomination was considered together with comments of members of the panel of judges. At the end of the presentation Chris announced the details of the awards which had been made.

 

NOMINATIONS:

Crown Courts, Chancery Road

A new building within Ipswich Village occupying a very prominent position on a previously undeveloped site. It replaces existing facilities close to the Civic Centre complex.

Endeavour House, Russell Road

A new building within the area designated as Ipswich Village. (Photo below) The building was commissioned by TXU Energi to be erected on the site of the building put up by Eastern Electricity in the 1960s. TXU Energi went into liquidation before the completion of the new building and as a result Suffolk County Council was able to purchase the building considerably below market value for use as its headquarters, replacing a collection of buildings in the area of Rope Walk and St Helen's Street.

Turret Court, Turret Lane

A large new development of apartments on a former industrial site adjoining the Old Cattle Market bus station.

St Nicholas Court, Friars Street

A large new development of apartments on an important site adjoining the Unitarian Meeting House and the nearby Willis offices, two Grade I Listed buildings.

6 St Helen's Street

A small two-storey rear extension to shop premises opposite the Regent Theatre. The extension can be viewed from the landscaped area in Upper Orwell Street.

Methodist Church and Community Hall, Bramford Road

A new building attached to the side of the 19th century Methodist Church.

Former School, Cavendish Street

Refurbishment and conversion of a 19th century school building into live/work units together with new buildings also accommodating live/work units.

St Mary's, Woodbridge Road

A development involving the refurbishment of some existing buildings and the erection of new buildings in the large area previously occupied by the Convent and School of Jesus and Mary. There were two nominations from within this development:

The Lodge.

A new building erected at the entrance to the St Mary's development in Woodbridge Road. (photo below)

The Square.

A large square faced on one side by Holmwood, a 19th century Listed building which has been converted into seven apartments, and on the other three sides by new three- and four-storey houses. (photo below)

1 Hatfield Road

A private residential scheme involving a two-Storey extension to an early 20th century house.

The former Sun Inn, 17 St Stephen's Lane

A nomination for a Special Award for the ongoing restoration by the Atfield Family, which has been in progress for approximately ten years.

The awards made were as follows:

 

AWARD OF DISTINCTION for Endeavour House, Russell Road. Client: Suffolk County Council Design: TTSP Contractor: Bovis Lend Lease

 

HIGH COMMENDATION for The Square, St Mary's, Woodbridge Road Client, Design and Contractor: Hopkins Homes Limited

 

COMMENDATION for The Lodge, St Mary's, Woodbridge Road Client, Design and Contractor: Hopkins Homes Limited

 

SPECIAL AWARD for the Atfield Family for their dedicated and painstaking ongoing restoration of the former Sun Inn, 17 St Stephen's Lane. Client, Design and Contractor: The Atfield Family

The award certificates were presented to the winning clients, designers and contractors by Peter Underwood, the Vice-President of The Ipswich Society.

This is the first occasion since 1991 that an Award of Distinction has been made for a new building, when it was for Churchgates House, Cutler Street. In his presentation Chris Wiltshire had said of Endeavour House: "Overall, the feeling of the panel was that it was the best designed and built building in Ipswich for a long time. It was felt that it was a building which works superbly well and looks good."

After completion of the formal business, members and guests adjourned to the adjacent dining hall where excellent refreshments, prepared and served by catering students at the College, were enjoyed. This also provided an opportunity to discuss the projects with members of the winning teams.

RUSSELL NUNN