Sunderland based architecture and engineering firm, Building Design Northern (BDN), are celebrating double success at the 2023 RIBA North East Awards.
BDN scooped up two prestigious accolades for designing a bespoke extension to a listed Georgian property in County Durham, with David Hunt, BDN’s Director of Conservation and Design, awarded the Project Architect of the Year award, for his delivery of the project.
With offices in both Sunderland and Ulverston, BDN offers architecture, structural engineering and civil engineering services to clients across the UK.
The extension project, which won the RIBA North East Regional Award, consisted of remodelling the existing dwelling and the creation of an open plan, age-appropriate, dementia-friendly extension and detached workshop.
Situated within the Durham City Conservation Area, the designs to the grade II listed property reinstate lost views of the Georgian host elevation previously hidden by low-quality 20th century extensions.
Reflecting the client’s own experience caring for elderly parents, the project was designed to adapt to later life, with living spaces capable of adaptation into bedroom and carer accommodation.
The prestigious annual ceremony, led by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), celebrates projects for their regional importance as a piece of architecture.
The judges celebrated the clarity, originality and elegance of the project, with the highly sustainable design representing a great example of how to extend listed buildings sensitively yet confidently.
David Hunt, Director of Conservation and Design at BDN
David Hunt, Director of Conservation and Design at BDN and the award-winning project architect for Gilesgate, said: “It is an honour to receive a RIBA North East Regional Award for my services to our Gilesgate project.
“The ceremony celebrated the excellence of architecture across our region and it is an honour and a privilege to have been recognised against an array of high-quality projects and talented architects.
“I’d like to extend my thanks to all that were involved in this project, for their hard-work and collaboration, which resulted in an exceptional outcome for our clients.”
The design consists of two simple pitched roof forms, which are orientated to reflect the historic burgage plot arrangement at the rear of the site.
The two buildings are clad in weathered zinc and sit quietly beneath a mature beech and oak – these trees being key design influences: providing shade, dappled light, and ever changing views and reflections across the large areas of glazing.
Large, glazed sliding doors and a cantilevered corner opening maximise views and connection to the historic rear garden, and towards Durham Cathedral and beyond.
Commenting on BDN’s efforts to fulfil their specific client brief, the owners of the County Durham dwelling said: “You have created a truly wonderful home, taking an old, dilapidated, yet historic residence, and giving us a comfortable, practical house bathed in spectacular and ever changing vistas and reflections.”
BDN’s win follows a period of rapid growth for the Northern firm, growing from 14 to 26 employees in just 18 months, establishing themselves as one of the region’s most ambitious and dynamic professional services businesses.
The company is the driving force behind Sheepfolds’ Stables, a £2million project which will see the Grade II listed building – which stands in the shadow of Sunderland AFC’s Stadium of Light – converted into a mixed-use leisure venue comprising retail, food and drink and entertainment space.
It is the second heritage building the company has taken on, having purchased and transformed the Old Simpson Street School, making the prominent Sunderland building its head office.
The £1m renovation project reimagined the 1800s, Grade II listed, former Victorian school building into a sustainably stylish working environment and eight luxury loft apartments.
Earlier this month, the practice exchanged contracts on the purchase of the former Ulverston Police Station and Courthouse as they unveiled their ambitious North West growth plans.
A planning application has been submitted to transform the disused constabulary buildings into a mixed-use venue of office space for a new Ulverston HQ, as well as commercial space, offices, boutique serviced accommodation and new homes.
To find out more about BDN visit https://bdnltd.com
Read the full list of winning projects here https://www.ribaj.com/regional-awards-2023-north-east-winners