DIA 2022 Awards Ceremony
Winning Projects:
Supreme Award
Kris Grant Architect
Rescobie Pavilion
A steel framed garden pavilion perched above a stone plinth, gazing out over an easterly loch and the westerly garden of a nineteenth-century school house in rural Angus.
Jury comments: It may be small, but Rescobie Pavillion packs a big architectural punch. This exceptional reflective space takes full advantage of its elevated site. Rescobie Pavillion is an exquisite celebration in detailing, executed to perfection.
Ambassador Award
Nicoll Russell Studios
Ault Wharrie
The extensive conservation and repair of the Category A Listed Ault Wharrie, its fine applied artworks and cabinetry to save and once more form an elegant country house, removing years of ill-conceived alterations when it was used as a nursing home.
Jury comments: The judges considered the rescue, conservation, & repair of this culturally significant building an exceptional achievement. Ault Wharrie was featured in Hermann Muthesius’ seminal Das Englishe Haus featuring its rich applied stencilling, stained glass and fine cabinetry. The in-depth analysis of historical records & archive material has impressively informed the rescue of this once again comfortable & notable home.
Best on the Drawing Board
Atelier-M
Queen Margaret Drive
A redevelopment of an existing mews in Glasgow into four contemporary dwellings.
Jury comments: The judges were impressed by the design response to the constricted site. The modeling of the design reflects the need for sunlight & privacy & is based upon a considered evolution of the industrial mews. The restrained palette of materials delivers a delicate layered complexity of form in contrast to the urban context.
Best Commercial/Non Domestic
Nicoll Russell Studios
New Pilmour House, Headquarters for St Andrews Links Trust
A new Headquarters building for St Andrews Links Trust that sits within the landscape of the public golf courses, that constitute the “Home of Golf”.
Jury comments: The judges were impressed how the building naturally sits with calm elegant authority. Each façade masterfully addresses differing site contexts whilst combining as a cohesive whole to evoke traditional pavilion forms. The commitment of the design team to sustainability & a fabric first approach to building performance is equally commendable. The outstanding quality of this building enhances the reputation of The Links Trust & its designers.
Highly Commended
Voigt Architects Limited
Arbikie Distillery, Montrose
A new Visitor Centre Extension to a world class distillery, with a huge glass frontage making sure all the internal spaces enjoy the wonderful views of Lunan Bay.
Jury comments: A Visitor Centre extension to an existing distillery, the judges were impressed by this robust addition to existing agricultural buildings. A rustic vibe was carries through the internal finishes, utilising & replicating materials used in the whisky process. These infuse the interior with a warming character which will only mature for the better with age. The vast south facing windows provide uplifting views over the Angus Countryside & to Lunan Bay beyond. A view that can only be improved with a whisky in hand. Well worth a visit.
Best Housing Group
Angus Council Housing Service
Cliffburn, Arbroath Housing Development
The development of a difficult site to provide fourteen affordable housing units for social rent, with external works and landscaping.
Jury comments: Arranged around an attractive communal garden, this development of 14 houses impressed for its for placemaking credentials & environmentally conscious design. Cliffburn provides desirable, comfortable, economic, healthy & social housing on a difficult site.
Best Extension/Alteration
Colin Andrew Smith - CASA
Chamberbane
The existing building fabric upgraded and two extensions added to ensure the buildings perform with a low need for energy, the new contemporary aesthetic grabbing the magnificent loch views.
Jury comments: Jauntily juxtaposed to the existing house, the judges were impressed by the expressive extension & fabric upgrade & reconfiguration of the existing house.
The principal extension exploits the dramatic location overlooking Loch Tummel & allows for dramatic views from the heart of the existing house. The elements of the house are linked & unified by a new dry stane wall, which together with the adjacent settlement buildings, provide a picturesque & charming group.
Highly Commended
Nicoll Russell Studios
The Old Smithy, Kingsbarns
Redevelopment of Category B-Listed Smithy and House
Jury comments: The refurbishment of the existing listed structures & the new glazed link & extension impressed the judges for its clarity of execution. The rustic stone buildings are enhanced by the sharpness of the technical detailing of the link. The new plan arrangement cleverly conceals & then reveals, the contemporary link to the visitor. An exquisitely forged building.
Best Interior Design
Aim Design
Discovery Point, Central Core Refurbishment and Dome Gallery
The project includes the creation of a refurbished entrance area, reception and new Dome Gallery Experience. The Dome Gallery invites visitors to experience how Dundee appeared in 1901, via a 360° panoramic movie and then reveals the city we know today.
Jury comments: The judges were impressed by the dramatic reworking of this underutilised space. The quality of the themed detailing in the reception area inspired by ice flows, forms, & Antarctic colours was considered, super cool. A new steel stair, spirals through geological time, delivering visitors to an immersive experience within the dome. Theatrical & moving, the 1901 heritage film is a must see & is an exemplar for the application of Architects’ skills in new media.
Highly Commended
Nicoll Russell Studios
Interior Office Fit-Out, St Andrews
Interior fit-out of a new Headquarters building for St Andrews Links Trust that sits within the landscape of the public golf courses, that constitute the “Home of Golf”.
Jury comments: The judges admired the relationship of internal space to the external landscape & the way natural light & the use of timber & stone created welcoming spaces with a human scale. The refined detailing & quality of finishes is exceptional. The judges were impressed by the sense of wellbeing & calmness within the building. An uplifting environment in which to work & visit.
Best New House
Garry Adam Chartered Architect
Tree Nursery House
Tree Nursery House is a conversion of a former steading located in Panmure estate, by Carnoustie. Tree Nursery House is a low energy, sustainable design based on passive house principles.
Jury comments: A conversion of a former steading and fire station for a local sawmill, the judges admired the repurposing to a contemporary passive design house. The design utilizes an Ortner stove as the primary heating source & storage heater, combining with a MVHR unit to minimise energy use. Much of the construction materials and internal finishes make use of upcycled materials, creating a characterful, low energy and sustainable bespoke home.
Highly Commended
Jon Frullani Architect Ltd
Mount Stewart Road, Wormit
New Build House for Private Client at Mount Stewart Road, Wormit.
Jury comments: Orientated & planned to great effect, this contemporary residence provides voluminous spaces with amazing views. The stone base beds the house into its site & the zinc roof forms hover above, providing a dramatic profile which mimics the pitch slate roofs of its neighbours. Internally, a double storey entrance hall & glass wall provides instant glamour, highlighting the spectacular views over the Tay.
Best Rehab
Holmes Miller
Waterfront Place Dundee
Waterfront Place which features an urban beach, active travel hub and life-sized whale sculpture delivers a key point of outdoor activity and interaction on the edge of the River Tay.
Jury comments: The new public realm is space that excites, encourages active use and engages all who visit Dundee’s waterfront. The urban beach, active travel hub, green space & interactive play area create opportunities for interaction, socialising & increased biodiversity. The promotion of active lifestyles and low carbon transport, through great design, enhances the wellbeing of visitors & the ongoing renaissance of the city’s waterfront area.
Highly Commended
Jon Frullani Architect Ltd
Conversion at South Church, Monifieth
Restoration and conversion of nineteenth-century Church in Monifieth into four duplexes.
Jury comments: So many heritage buildings in Scotland’s have been demolished or left to decay. It’s delightful to see this former Church restored and provided with a new purpose as 4 contemporary dwellings, carefully planned to take dramatic advantage of the spatial possibilities of the existing volumes.
Architectural interventions to the exterior have been kept to a minimum to allow the original character of the building to remain to the fore.
Best Use of Timber
Nicoll Russell Studios
Balgove Golf Course Starter Box
A new Starter Box for the Balgove golf course, one of the 7 public golf courses, that constitute the “Home of Golf”.
Jury comments: The judges were impressed by the elegant simplicity of this immaculate little building. This temple like structure expressed in glulam columns & ring beam, with cedar panel infills, reflects its surrounding treed landscape. The clarity of the design & the attention to detail was spiritually uplifting. Perfectly elemental!
Best Use of Stone
Lorn Macneal Architects
St Andrews Garden Villa
Alterations, refurbishment, conversion, new dining extension, new linking extension, new den extension, and erection of garage with tree-top studio to a garden villa in St Andrews.
Jury comments: The judges were impressed by the new sweeping stone façade, dynamically leading the visitor into the site. It presents a new complimentary screen to the house front, whilst setting up a dialogue with the new garage building & garden walls. The quality of the locally recycled stonework & pointing is a credit to both stone mason & the Architect. The work enhances the existing house & the Conservation area within which it sits.
Best Small Project Under 250k
Kris Grant Architect
Rescobie Pavilion
A steel framed garden pavilion perched above a stone plinth, gazing out over an easterly loch and the westerly garden of a nineteenth century school house in rural Angus.
Jury comments: The judges arrived at dusk following a power outage. The owners were sitting contentedly in candlelight in front of the fire. It was the perfect introduction to a romantic belvedere embracing the Client brief; “Lunch Sheltered from the wind, drinks at sunset & nights around the fire”.
This finely detailed garden pavilion acts as a playful counterpoint to the schoolhouse with framed views over Rescobie loch, tree canopy and garden beyond. Whilst providing cocooning warmth on winter evenings, the building can ingeniously transform, dissolving walls to open the interior to the surrounding countryside on warmer days. A beautifully considered design for enjoying life.
Highly Commended
Arc Architects Ltd
The Roondie
Conversion of a dilapidated B listed horse mill to residential accommodation. This involved the replacement of the roof to create an interesting and cosy yet well-lit space.
Jury comments: The judges appreciated the light touch brought to the restoration & conversion of the dilapidated horse mill. Fabric alterations have been kept to a minimum & sensitively implemented resulting in a building packed with character. The elegant design of the new roof structure capped by the new cupula defines the open plan space below & is an architectural tour de force. Beautiful new timber work & detailing compliment & contrast with the retained rustic crossbeams. A delightful place to stay.