Notes to editors

1.  For images and further information please contact Lorna Gemmell in the RIBA Press Office on 020 7307 3761 or lorna.gemmell@inst.riba.org|

 

2.  Full citation follows:

Upper Twyford Barns, Hereford

Architect: Architype

Client: Duchy of Cornwall

Structural engineer: MBCE Projects Ltd

Contractor: Mike Whitfield Timber Framing

Contract value:    £450,000

Date of completion: June 2006

Gross internal area: 350 square metres

 

We are constantly reminded that buildings are responsible for around 50% of our overall CO₂ emissions but it is what we do in our buildings that really counts.   The Barns at Upper Twyford were winners of the 2007 RIBA English Partnerships Sustainability Award because they represent more than just an intelligent response to low energy design. Architype converted the barns for their own office use, demonstrating how new types of employment can be developed in sensitive rural areas in ways which contribute positively to both the economy and ecology.

 

A partially derelict building has been saved. Whatever remained of its original structure and character has been re-used and enhanced. A demonstrably new upper floor section has been built to exceptionally high insulation standards using timber from adjacent woodlands. The biomass fed heating system is part of an initiative to supply high quality fuel from local renewable sources: it all works effortlessly. The agricultural setting has been altered very little, enhanced only by the planting of a swathe of wild flower meadow for the occupiers to relax in. A further area of landscape has been allocated to vegetable production, though at present the practice's lunches are enhanced by deliveries from a local organic café.

 

Architecturally the practice resisted all requests to create a more domestic language for the conversion work and have adopted a very simple vocabulary characterised by the robust concrete screed finish throughout the ground floor and untreated chestnut boards above. Light levels are relatively low to suit computer screens in the working areas and high in the centre of the building where some light illuminates the meeting tables. Purpose-built furniture and light fittings complement the simple architectural language of the interior. Passive design measures, such as the use of the building's mass for heating and cooling are supplemented by use of a biomass woodchip boiler as a supplementary heat source. Architype are monitoring their water and energy consumption in detail and preliminary results are very encouraging, better than Best Practice by 20% in the case of electrical consumption. But they are keen to understand the building in more detail using it to validate computer modelling and learning how to adjust the control systems to achieve further reductions.

 

3.  English Partnerships, sponsor of the RIBA Sustainability Award, is the national regeneration agency committed to delivering places that are sustainable on all counts; places that create social, environmental and economic value.

 

4.  The RIBA Stirling Prize in association with The Architects' Journal is the UK's most prestigious architectural prize and is awarded annually to the architects of the building that has made the greatest contribution to British architecture in the past year. Winners must be RIBA Members and the building may be anywhere in the European Union. The shortlists are drawn from the winners of the 2007 RIBA National and European Awards. The prize is named after the architect Sir James Stirling 1926 – 1992. The winner will receive £20,000. 

 

5.  All RIBA Award winners can be seen at www.architecture.com|

 

6.  The RIBA Awards and RIBA Stirling Prize are managed by the RIBA Trust. The RIBA Trust manages the cultural assets of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), including the internationally recognised collections of the British Architectural Library. It is the UK's national architecture centre, delivering the RIBA Awards and RIBA Stirling Prize (live on Channel 4); the Royal Gold Medal; International and Honorary Fellowships; Architecture Week (with Arts Council England and the Architecture Centre Network); a full programme of lectures, exhibitions, tours and other events; and an education programme.