Best craftsmanship award

Architects Norman & Dawbarn; Erith & Terry Engineer WhitbyBird
Brick Baggeridge Rudgwick Red Multi Stock
Brickwork Bishops

The traditionally constructed brickwork exterior of this state-of-the-art office conceals an internal floorplate running the length of the development. The office floor structure is carried on 440 mm thick loadbearing brick and stone facades. Windows and door openings are constructed using traditional flat or curved rubber brick arches – some up to 3 m long – in place of steel or concrete lintels. The varied facade encompasses a multitude of traditional techniques, including staining, tuck-pointing, penny jointing and engineering brick dampproof courses.

The judges thought this was a restrained and very accurate regeneration of a Georgian elevation, displaying excellent workmanship in all respects. As well as the precise penny joint finish and the camber and semi-circular arches over four storeys, the excellent tuck-pointing is some of the best new work that one could wish to see. Overall, the project is characterised throughout by a high level of quality, consistency and skill.