Top building projects receive prestigious awards

A record number of Awards were presented at the awards by the President of the Trust, The Rt Hon Lord Egremont DL.

There were 26 Awards and 16 Highly Commended projects announced this year, recognising many fine examples of conservation, preservation and rejuvenation projects across the two counties of East and West Sussex and the city of Brighton & Hove.

Over the past 19 years Sussex Heritage Trust has presented over 350 Awards and the Awards scheme is now established as the most prestigious architectural and conservation awards programme in Sussex.

2017 winners included Mid-Scale residential winner, for developments of up to 10 houses, The Forge in East Row, Chichester by MH Architects, which saw the conversion of a modern 1960s office block, which lies between two listed properties, into a small development of apartments.

The judges said about The Forge: “A superbly well detailed and executed scheme. High quality materials and workmanship employed throughout. The finished scheme is a dramatic transformation of a tired/run down building in the centre of Chichester. An exemplary development.”

West Sussex saw a number of Highly Commended projects which included the South Downs Bunkhouse in Arundel, as part of Angmering Park Estate.

The old farm buildings are listed within the curtilage of the Grade II listed farmhouse, parts of which date back to 1350.

The conversion saw these traditional buildings turned into accommodation for 20 people.

Chairman, Dr John Godfrey DL, who announced the Awards at the 19th annual lunch, said: “While some projects have been highly visible and well-known, others might have attracted less attention without the establishment of the Awards scheme, which the Trust now runs every year.”

“We are delighted with the response to this year’s Awards scheme, reflected in the large number of excellent entries received, and the judges’ comments confirm the high quality of much of the construction and conservation work now going on across Sussex.”