Royal Pavilion and Theatre Royal among Sussex Heritage Trust Award winners
Hundreds of guests turned out as the region’s finest heritage and building projects were celebrated at a prestigious ceremony this week.
This year’s Sussex Heritage Trust Awards were held on Wednesday, July 8, at the Amex Stadium in Brighton, with the very best in restoration, conservation, architecture and craftsmanship recognised
The 2026 awards, with Thakeham as the headline sponsor, recognised outstanding projects ranging from historic restorations of buildings such as Herstmonceux Castle and Brighton’s Royal Pavilion and community buildings including theatres, nurseries and stations to innovative new homes, landscapes and specialist craftsmanship.
The awards celebrate excellence across the construction, design and heritage conservation with an Eco Award to recognise particular commitment to environmental initiatives, recognising not only exceptional buildings but also the skilled people whose expertise ensures Sussex’s historic environment continues to thrive.
Presenting the awards, Sussex Heritage Trust Chairman David Cowan praised the quality of this year’s entries and highlighted the importance of safeguarding traditional building skills for future generations.
He said: “Every winning project demonstrates how thoughtful design and skilled workmanship can protect our heritage while creating places that future generations will value. We are doing a great deal of research to understand the heritage construction skills that are rapidly declining due to master craftspeople retiring and ensuring that we help to train up their successors to learn the skills of their elders.
“These awards help to showcase those talents and the people behind them to recognise their immense importance as part of a wider team.”
This year’s awards attracted 85 entries, all of which were independently visited and assessed by a huge team of expert, volunteer judges. This year saw the first presentation of the new category, Apprentice of the Year, introduced by headline sponsor Thakeham to recognise the great skills of those being trained and supported into the sector.
Winner Andrew Pizzey of George & James Architects Ltd was recognised for his exceptional commitment to heritage and conservation, both in his academic studies and professional practice.
Notable properties in Brighton & Hove that won awards this year included
Colonnade Restoration – Theatre Royal Brighton: The Theatre Royal Brighton restoration replaced deteriorated ground-floor terracotta colonnade and balustrade to preserve historic character. Detailed surveys guided bespoke hand-pressed units from Hathern Terra Cotta, accurately replicating originals. Clay maquettes and moulds ensured precision, while kiln-fired pieces allowed for shrinkage. Installation used latex grout, stainless dowels, and bespoke fixings. Early coordination mitigated long lead times and production risks. The project prioritised sustainability through durable materials, UK sourcing, reduced future interventions, and apprenticeship training supporting heritage skills and craft retention. The judges commented: “A brilliant restoration of the colonnade of this important and well-known building which makes an enormous contribution to the visual appearance of New Road and the Pavilion Estate. The work was carried out with enormous skill.”
The Royal Pavilion, Brighton: Phase IV of the Brighton Pavilion restoration focused on conserving vulnerable external elements, including windows, render, stone minarets, and the prominent Onion Dome. Detailed investigations uncovered significant structural decay caused by historic water ingress, requiring extensive conservation-led repairs. Traditional materials, breathable coatings, and like-for-like oak replacements preserved historic integrity while improving durability. Complex structural interventions were carefully managed through collaborative conservation expertise and sensitive craftsmanship. The project successfully safeguarded the Pavilion’s architectural character, demonstrating best practice in sustainable heritage restoration and long-term preservation. The judges said: “Sadly like the onion itself, peeling back each layer revealed a new level of decay. By using innovative technical ability, imagination and passion and skill, the onion dome is restored, ready for another 100 years. A superb job well done.”
BNJC, The SHUL, Hove: Brighton & Hove Jewish Community commissioned Morgan Carn Architects to create a mixed-use synagogue and community complex aimed at revitalising Brighton’s declining Jewish community. Centred around a tranquil courtyard beneath historic elm trees, the design combines worship, housing, education, business, and community facilities. A blue-glazed terracotta screen gives the synagogue privacy and symbolic identity, while integrated security and sustainable landscaping support modern needs. Reused materials and references to the former synagogue ensure continuity, creating an inclusive, carefully crafted community hub rooted in heritage and long-term resilience. The judges said: “The work was to a very high standard and has replaced a sad and neglected set of buildings with a totally different environment combining a multitude of functions with dexterity, sophistication and delight. This includes a magnificent worship space in its heart which offers the Jewish Community a space to commune together in their own way. Instrumental to this was the instigation of Tony Bloom who should be commended for his vision and pro-active philanthropy.”
Re-ordering of the Parish Church of Rottingdean – St Margeret of Antioch: Renovation of St Margaret of Antioch Church enhanced usability and sustainability while preserving its Grade II* heritage. Works included replacing decayed flooring with Jura stone over new underfloor heating, improving accessibility, reordering internal spaces, and installing audio-visual systems. Stained glass conservation and new glazed doors further upgraded the building. Archaeological discoveries, including human remains and Anglo-Saxon fabric, were carefully managed. The project delivers a flexible, energy-efficient space supporting both worship and wider community use. The judges said: “The work followed an imaginative design which has resulted in a light, open and flexible space allowing the church to be used for a variety of purposes throughout the week as well as for Sunday Worship… The combination of good quality materials, an excellent design and first-class workmanship have ensured that the brief was more than met and makes this project worthy of a Sussex Heritage Award ”
Claire Robinson, CEO of the Sussex Heritage Trust, said: “It is inspirational to see how each property is a project made up of so many elements – the initial design, landscaping, surveying and planning, and the network of skilled craftspeople brought together to create the final result.
“The awards recognise the enormous value of both the detailed restoration of a small section of a historic building, all the way up to the complete rebuild of historic buildings, or beautiful new builds that observe the local vernacular.
“Sussex has such a rich landscape of heritage that is being so expertly maintained, and we are proud to showcase those behind these outstanding projects.”
Julian Rooney, managing director land at headline sponsor Thakeham, said: “At Thakeham, we’re committed to creating places that stand the test of time by combining high-quality design, environmental responsibility and investment in people.
“Supporting the Sussex Heritage Trust Awards reflects our belief that the best developments are those that respect local character, enhance communities and nurture the skills needed to deliver lasting quality.
“We’re proud to champion the individuals and organisations setting that standard across Sussex, and to see the launch of the Apprentice of the Year Award this year.”