THE REIGATE SOCIETY  The Civic Society for Reigate, Redhill and Merstham     HOME PAGE        PREVIOUS PAGE
Reigate Society Awards 2009   These were announced and presented during the Reigate Society's Members' Evening on 12 October 2009.  The judging panel's comments on the four award winning developments are given below.     The addition of Beech House to St Mary's Choir and Preparatory School, Chart Lane, Reigate Reigate Grammar School and Chartered Architects Barnsley, Hewett and Mallison The panel was asked to consider the new detached extension to St Mary’s school which comprises a new sports hall together with additional class rooms.   The Society has been aware over recent years of the school’s various proposals to extend their facilities on the land to the west of the existing buildings.   While the size and scope of the built scheme is much less ambitious than earlier proposals, we believe this reduction in size has allowed it to integrate satisfactorily into the available site.   The form of the new building, stepping down the western slope of the site, is confidently handled, incorporating an imaginative use of the site spoil as part of the new landscape features.   The architectural form of the new building, together with its carefully considered selection of materials - mainly stock bricks and stone accents to the lower levels - successfully provides a visual link to the earlier structures on the site.   The upper storey is built in a grey metal framed cladding and glazing system.   The large overhanging fascias to the roof successfully tie together the various elements and levels of the new building.   The panel was unanimous in considering the new development worthy of an award.   It demonstrates how successfully a good modern building can fit into an historic setting, particularly when compared with previous additions to the school which attempted to match the original buildings.     Restoration and conversion of Wallfield House, West Street, Reigate Lochplace Ltd and Fourem Architects There have been comprehensive repairs and redecoration together with limited additions to the external fabric of Wallfield House.   Also, there have been extensive internal repairs and reinstatement of architectural detail, together with alterations to the existing layout to form 7 flats of various sizes.   It is primarily due to the exemplary quality of workmanship and materials used both on the external and internal renovation of Wallfield House that the panel unanimously recommended that an award be made     Two new sedum roofed bungalows, 1 Five Oaks Place, The Grange, in the Merstham conservation area In the Merstham Conservation Area J R Burton Builders Ltd Five Oaks Place comprises a small development of two single storey houses set within the quiet grounds of Grange Court, a private development in a conservation area.   The basic concept behind the design of the houses is that they are hidden behind what appears to be a solid brick garden wall containing a minimum of penetrations.   This wall forms the main front or entrance elevation to both dwellings, broken only by two entrance lobbies fitted with wrought iron security gates.   Black stained, lean to, timber structures set against the wall provide garage accommodation for both dwellings. By contrast to the solid entrance side of the dwellings, the whole of the private garden elevations are formed of floor to ceiling fully glazed patio doors. These in turn lead onto a simple deck facing a new grassed garden area with several mature trees.   Internal spaces resulting from the plan form are well lit from above by west facing laylights.   Unusually, the highly insulated flat roof is planted with a sedum green roof system.   The panel expressed reservations regarding some internal details and materials used.   Particular concern was expressed regarding the elaborate plastic entrance doors selected for the dwellings.   Not withstanding these reservations, the panel was encouraged by the strong and successful concept of the scheme and its good mannered modern resolution.   The panel recommended an award be made to the scheme in recognition of its concept and in the hope that similar thoughtful contemporary designs may be encouraged in the Borough.     18a Flanchford Road, Reigate Heath Phillip Plumb This is a small scale project which comprised the refurbishment, redecoration and provision of new windows to a small detached cottage facing onto Reigate Heath.   The results of this exercise are, however, an object lesson to all, no matter the size of the project.   Its success is due to the appropriate palette of colours selected and the replacement of existing windows with new timber windows and gable details of the correct proportion.   The whole effect is entirely harmonious and appropriate for its setting.   The panel agreed that the project was worthy of an award.   This project demonstrates one of the original purposes of the Society’s civic award scheme, that is to encourage the careful use of proportion, materials and colour in improving an already attractive environment.
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