The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) is pleased to declare the winners for its annual Architectural Technology Awards. Announced and presented by CIAT President Gary Mees on 15 September 2017, the Awards celebrate the latest achievements and highest quality in Architectural Technology. 

The event, hosted by Matt Allwright, was attended by a cross section of the built environment sector and showcased Architectural Technology both in practise and as a key academic discipline, demonstrating the growth and impact within the UK and internationally. This was the first time the AT Awards have been a standalone event and is an exciting milestone for the discipline. 

The 2017 winners are:

The Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology

Winner: The Word, National Centre for the Written Word, FaulknerBrowns Architects 

The Word was a challenging project that inspired a building for the present, with inbuilt adaptability to future proof its functions. The design concept and architecture have been informed by Architectural Technology and its building anatomy and physiology are clearly articulated in the primary and secondary elements, services and external envelope.

Highly Commended: Family Stand, Dover Athletic Football Club, Lee Evans Partnership LLP

The Family Stand is a complex project that provided the designers with a functional, aesthetic and technological challenge, creating an inclusive structure that caters for all.

Commended: Fieldsend, Mitchell Evans Architects

Fieldsend is a building that departs from traditional architecture and Architectural Technology towards a contemporary bespoke house and the creation of a dwelling. 

The Alan King Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology

(for projects valued £750k [i]or under)

Commended: New Dwelling at Craigwell, Aboyne, Stuart Davidson Architecture

The design of this new dwelling meets the clients brief to create a contemporary focal point property that had a triple role of firstly a dwelling but also a base for their professions. 

Commended: Harefield House, Plaice Design Company Limited

Harefield House is a design exemplar of the use of integrated architectural technologies, energy performance and building management system with its prefabricated timber kit construction. 

Vice-President Technical, Kevin Crawford MCIAT and Chair of the Judging Panel said ‘The shortlisted entries for both Awards were once again all of an exceptional standard and the winners all shared one thing — a clear demonstration of Architectural Technology as a key design function and how necessary it is to achieve buildability, usability and create inclusive environments. My congratulations go to all those who were shortlisted and I look forward to visiting the projects and presenting the plaques for permanent attachment to the buildings.’   

Student Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology (Project) 

(recognising outstanding design achievement in Architectural Technology based upon a university/college assignment)

Winner: The Gateway Hotel Design Project, Edward Kercher, Southampton Solent University 

The proposed design addresses its location and functionality by considering and integrating Architectural Technology. This is achieved through designing for production and optimising construction, alongside the use of materials and components for performance and use.

Highly Commended: Chandler’s Ford Infant School, April Rapley, Southampton Solent University

Chandler’s Ford Infant School is a creative design that focuses on inclusivity linked to function and use. 

Commended: Imagination Works — Embracing an Urban Future, Gerard Langley, Sheffield Hallam University

A design project that is linked to design futures through Imagineering and creativity. 

Student Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology (Report) 

(recognising outstanding research achievement in Architectural Technology from a dissertation assignment)

Winner: Sharrow Nursery and Community Centre – An Integration of Renewables, Efficiency and High-performance Materials, Daniel Black, Sheffield Hallam University

This research investigated how advanced technology and innovative construction methods adapted to increase the quality and performance of buildings. The research output provides a sound technical understanding of material and engagement to comply and exceed regulation standards, which may in turn inform a change in the industry.

Highly Commended: The Importance of Soil Analysis Prior to Frame Construction, Sunil Singh Seera, Coventry University

This research project demonstrated a clear understanding of the issues and how important it is in determining appropriate design solutions.

Commended: Building a Safe and Therapeutic Hospice: An Evaluation of Structural and Thermal Properties in Structural Insulated Panels, Isabelle Foster, Coventry University

The research embraces the structural and scientific behaviour of the composite material and compares and contrasts the different specifications and summarises the results. 

Vice-President Education, Paul Laycock MCIAT said ‘Our Architectural Technology students continue to deliver innovative and thought provoking designs and reports that take the discipline to the next level and I am excited by how they will be practising and utilising these attributes in the real world. With talented graduates such as these I look forward to the future of the discipline.’

All the Awards are featured on our website https://ciat.org.uk/awards.html and in the autumn issue of AT Journal. Films can also be found on our YouTube channel, youtube.com/ciatechnologist. The Awards reopen in the New Year, including the Chartered Architectural Technologist of the Year Award, which was launched at the event.