AT Awards: 2019 winners

The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) is delighted to announce the winners for its annual AT Awards. Presented by CIAT President Alex Naraian on 13 September 2019, the Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in Architectural Technology for both students and practitioners.

The event, hosted by Matt Allwright, was attended by a cross section from the built environment sector and showcased Architectural Technology, both in practise and as a key academic discipline, demonstrating the growth and impact within the UK and internationally.

The 2019 winners are:

The Chartered Architectural Technologist of the Year Award
Winner: 
Oliver Henshall MCIAT, Chartered Architectural Technologist
Oliver is the driving force for the development and growth of his peers, whilst paving the way for others to follow, by climbing the hierarchy within Powell Dobson to become a Technical Associate, before the age of 30. Hard work, dedication and an ability to self-assess his most recent experiences mean he is able to develop and adapt to new challenges.

The Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology
Winner: 
Beacon of Light, FaulknerBrowns Architects
The Beacon of Light is a unique activity hub consisting of four distinct interactive zones, socially positioned in a regenerated area for all in its community. The Beacon is innovative in its use of technology and materials, with a fine attention to detail that ensures a great use of space and effective buildability. The Judges believed this to be a fantastic scheme demonstrating the best in Architectural Technology, making it an outstanding winner of the 2019 Award.

Highly Commended: Woodmansterne Secondary School & Sixth Form, PTAL
Woodmansterne Secondary School & Sixth Form is a new five form-entry school providing 900 places for pupils aged 11 to 18 years old. It is a well thought out holistic design and scheme which demonstrates Architectural Technology at its highest level.

Commended: Hawley Mews, healycornelius design consultancy ltd
Hawley Mews is a residential development delivered on a confined site in Camden, London. It presented a challenging design and construction opportunity, that culminated in a high-quality result through its innovative technical solution.

The Alan King Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology
(for projects valued £750k  or under)
Winner: New Dwelling House at Grange View, Stuart Davidson Architecture
The project’s aim was to create a contemporary, accessible dwelling. It is an excellently laid out scheme with the aspiration of lifetime home standards. There is a fine attention to detail and the project has been thoroughly thought through to address the user’s needs for now and in the future. This is a showcase for highlighting how technology has supported the design, making it a deserving winner.

Highly Commended: Waterside, Ely, Chris Senior MCIAT, PiP
Waterside features three detached riverside dwellings transformed from agricultural barns. Full of clever detailing, with a use of sustainable materials, the whole project has breathed new life into disused buildings whilst retaining their historic element.

Commended: New Holiday Let Unit at Rink Hill, Stuart Davidson Architecture
A high spec, low impact property, catering for luxury, short breaks. Though simple in its form, the lets effectively utilise maximum views from their position on the outer curve of a hillside.

Vice-President Technical, Steven Hedley MCIAT said:

“Our Finalists for both Awards were all of an exceptional quality and standard and the winners all  shared one common denominator – Architectural Technology showcased as an essential and pivotal design function and how necessary it is to accomplish buildability, usability and create inclusive environments. My congratulations go to all Finalists and I wholeheartedly look forward to visiting the winning projects and presenting the plaques for permanent attachment to the buildings.”

Student Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology (Project)
(recognising outstanding design achievement in Architectural Technology based upon a university/college assignment)
Winner: Architectural Technology Studio 3, Albert Greenhalgh, Sheffield Hallam University
A conceptually bold, complex design of an extreme sports facility, that demonstrates immense creativity and balance between design aesthetics and technical design. An outstanding project and exemplary winner.

Highly Commended: Maggie’s Windermere, Kirsten Adjei-Attah, Coventry University
A new day care support centre offering support to those living with cancer and their families, friends and carers. The warm and sensitive design response and sympathetic technical resolution produced a building of great merit.

Commended: Thorpe Lakes: Museum & Visitor Centre, Aaron Edge-Stenson, Nottingham Trent University
This project aimed to create a family-friendly centre for activities associated with a newly formed sub-regional country park. The complex design contained a strong inclusive and environmental design solution.

Student Award for Excellence in Architectural Technology (Report)
(recognising outstanding research achievement in Architectural Technology from a dissertation assignment)
Winner: Testing the Compressive Strength of Timber Lattice Columns for Low Rise Construction, Kirsten Adjei-Attah, Coventry University
This innovative study focused on the use of timber lattice structures and the creation of a visually appealing building component structurally viable for use in palliative care facilities. A worthy winner of the Award.

Highly Commended: Verifying the Positioning of Passive Fire Protection in Ventilated Rainscreen Building Wall Envelopes, Michael Daly, Ulster University
A focus upon the positioning of passive fire protection and the need to optimise detail design. A useful study that further exposes problems within the practise of Architectural Technology post-Grenfell, in order to improve life safety.

Commended: Wayfinding Design: An Investigation into Wayfinding Design Techniques Employed in Healthcare Facilities in Northern Ireland and the Need for Wayfinding Standards, Catriona Slane, Ulster University
An investigation into the performance characteristics of wayfinding in healthcare facilities. This is an important study, as inclusive design is identified as a key area within the discipline’s education and practice standards.

Vice-President Education, Paul Laycock MCIAT said:

“Our Architectural Technology students have once more delivered innovative and thought-provoking designs and reports that take the discipline to the next level. I am excited by how they will be practising and utilising these attributes in the real world. With talented graduates such as these, I look forward to the future of our discipline with anticipation.”

All the Awards, Finalists and winners are featured on our website ciat.org.uk/awards.html and in the autumn issue of AT Journal. Films can also be found on our YouTube channel, youtube.com/ciatechnologist. The Awards reopen on 3 February 2020.