Best Building: Conservation, alteration, or extension (Projects under £2m construction cost)
In this category there is one winner and two commendations.
Client – Cambridgeshire County Council
Main Contractor – Bakers of Danbury
Architect – Donald Insall Associates
Structural Engineer – RPS Group
M&E Engineer – Cambridgeshire County Council
Stonemason – Hibbitt & Sons Masonry Ltd
Brickwork – Suffolk Brick and Stone
Consolidation – Matthew Beesley
Image © Donald Insall Associates
Judges’ Comments
“Standing proudly on Mill Road, the Victorian Free Library was in a very sorry state with extensive mould and damp damage before the County Council commissioned the sensitive survey, repair and restoration of this community building to secure its future. Works to restore collapsed gutters, the reinstatement of blocked clerestory glazing, and substantial repairs to stone and brickwork, the lantern, and lime plaster internally have restored the building to a watertight state with good ventilation.
The building now looks splendid, and urgently needs a viable future to ensure it does not deteriorate again. We congratulate Cambridgeshire County Council on its vision, but consider it too early to reach final judgement until an appropriate tenant is found to secure its future. No easy task, but we hope a solution can be found soon.”
