The “careful and sensitive” design of a school building project featuring a circular rotunda in St Albans’ conservation area has helped it win a prestigious local award.
The performing arts centre and art and technology block at St Albans High School for Girls, along with the recently built Wood House at Leaf Way have both received a St Albans Civic Society plaque at an awards ceremony.
At the event, the society described Wood House as a “truly delightful house and near perfect in scale”.
The split-level three-bedroom home provides spacious and flexible accommodation despite being built on a severely restricted site.
The society said the building’s green credentials were, “superb with higher than average insulation to walls and roof,” part of which has been planted with sedum.
Joint winner St Albans High School for Girls, Townsend Avenue, was awarded a Civic Society plaque as its project had minimal impact on its surroundings.
The society added that four interlinked pavilions of the art and technology department “mediate well” between adjacent Edwardian school buildings and the larger performing arts wing.
At its annual awards evening at the Maltings, the society said that more than 20 building projects completed in 2012 had been nominated for awards.
Aside from the plaque winners, three projects were commended and received certificates.
The discovery centre at Oaklands College, Hatfield Road in Smallford, offices at Churchill House, Upper Marlborough Road in St Albans, and the swimming pool and gym block at St Albans School, Abbey Gateway, were all commended.
The Churchill House project involved a complete refurbishment of a “tired city centre office block”.
The society said the spaciousness and high quality finish of the office accommodation had, “set a high standard for offices in St Albans at a time when many office spaces have been converted into private homes.
“These grade A offices should attract major tenants who will contribute to the jobs and economic prosperity of St Albans.”
St Albans Mayor, Cllr Annie Brewster, praised the quality of projects nominated as finalists, adding, “it is very important that we continue to encourage projects that will preserve and enhance our wonderful heritage and special character.”
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