2022 EAA Awards for Architecture

RESIDENTIAL PROJECT AWARD

WINNER

FRASER/LIVINGSTONE ARCHITECTS

SIMON SQUARE

JUDGES’ COMMENTS

“Simon Square demonstrates how the development of tight urban brownfield sites can offer new, high quality homes in the city, without compromising on amenity; these are apartments which are light and bright, enjoying dual and triple aspect in many rooms to harness sunlight through the day. Of particular interest is the robust choice of materials: the limewash brick exterior contrasting with the warmer cross laminated timber interior. Use of MVHR combined with high insulation levels should minimise energy required to maintain comfort, issues that are increasing urgent and important in the context of twin crisis of climate breakdown and cost of living. 

The building uses cross laminated timber as both structure and for the internal finish, a first for developer-led housing in Scotland. A project of this size could have been built with a conventional timber frame, but CLT brings robustness to the construction and allows for off-site manufacture to speed up construction on site. The use of timber for internal finishes defines the character of the building, creating spaces which are calm and warm, with gentle acoustics.  

Simon Square takes its place within the streetscape, challenging conventions for infill residential development in the city whilst respecting the scale and form of its neighbours. It demonstrates the commercial viability of CLT, and advances the case for domestic CLT manufacture in Scotland, an impact beyond its modest scale as a project. It is an ambitious, complex and well executed project which progresses the values of architecture – well done to all involved.”

Commendation

HELEN LUCAS ARCHITECTS

Garden HOUSE, NORTH BERWICK

JUDGES’ COMMENTS

“The Garden House reveals its strengths in its name; it is the relationship of the house with its garden which is particularly special. The plan form is arranged in three parts, giving varied aspects of the garden on the journey through the house, tracking the changing of the seasons beyond each window. The material character shifts too from stone to brick to timber, giving diversity and richness of material which is unusual for a single home. The house is well sized: generous without being too large. Details are crisp and the construction is finely crafted. It is a house that lives up to the beauty of its garden setting.”

Many thanks to Torridon Cost Consultancy, sponsors of the EAA Residential Project Award 2022!

short-listed projects

The three short listed projects are (left to right above):

Garden House, North Berwick  - Helen Lucas Architects

Great Junction Street – ISA

Simon Square – Fraser/Livingstone Architects

PLEASE FIND FURTHER IMAGES AND PROJECT INFORMATION BELOW

Congratulations to all short listed project teams!