Southeast England’s Best Buildings Recognized

The Royal Institute of British Architects (Riba) South East Awards have announced the winners of their annual architecture awards, showcasing the best building projects in the southeast of England. The awards ceremony, which took place on Wednesday evening, highlighted a range of innovative and restored buildings that are eligible to win the prestigious award.

Award-Winning Projects

Some of the notable projects that received awards include the Brighton Dome’s Corn Exchange and Studio Theater, as well as the Sheerness Dockyard Church. Both projects underwent significant restoration work, with the Brighton Dome project costing £38 million and the Dockyard Church undergoing a 10-year restoration after being devastated in 2001.

Restoration and Renovation

The restoration of the Dockyard Church was particularly praised by the jury, who noted that it was "exquisitely restored and transformed into a community facility." The church, which is a Grade II listed building, was restored to its former glory and now serves as a unique and permanent community space. The jury also commended the "imagination and skill" of the architects, who were able to transform the ruined church into a vibrant community hub.

Other Winners

Other projects that received awards include the expansion of a 1950s house in Epsom, Surrey, and the regeneration of the Knepp Wilding Kitchen in Sussex. The Triangle House in Epsom was praised for its "playful and inventive" expansion of a compact mid-20th-century house. The Knepp Wilding Kitchen, on the other hand, was recognized for its innovative design and sustainable features.

Sustainable Development

According to Lisa Shell, chairman of the jury, the majority of the winning projects "contain inventive reuse and maintenance of existing structures," which is an encouraging direction in sustainable development. The jury noted that the projects demonstrate the importance of reusing and restoring existing buildings, rather than building new ones, in order to reduce waste and promote sustainability.

Next Steps

Each of the winners will now be considered for the Riba National Awards, which will be announced in July. The national awards recognize the best building projects in the UK and provide a platform for architects and builders to showcase their work. The winners of the national awards will be selected from the regional winners, and will be announced at a ceremony later this year.