RIBA awards 2008

English Partnerships’ winning projects:

Arena and Convention Centre (ACC), Liverpool designed by Wilkinson Eyre Architects

The ACC, forms one part of the regeneration of Kings Waterfront, a former shipyard in Liverpool. Kings Waterfront will create a visitor destination of international quality combining a 10,000 seat arena, 7,100 sq m convention centre, public piazza and exhibition facilities. The ACC opened in time for the launch of the city’s year as Capital of Culture in 2008.

Chimney Pot Park, Salford, by Shedkm

The vision was to deliver 349 ‘upside down’ houses in Langworthy, Salford which would be affordable to local residents. Chimney Pot Park was designated as a First-Time Buyers initiative (FTBI) pilot project and was the first FTBI scheme in the North of England. It was also the first housing regeneration scheme for the FTBI programme and has specifically looked to address the affordability issues for first time buyers on low incomes. The scheme preserves the traditional street scene of the city’s famous terraced houses, and will also deliver eco-friendly homes built to high quality design standards.

Guest Street Housing, Manchester by De Met Forbes Knight Architects

Guest Street forms part of New Islington, Manchester’s Millennium Community and the houses are a hybrid of a traditional terrace and a modern courtyard house. The mix of single- and two-storey units also reflects the specific requirement of current residents, with whom the scheme was designed. Three different ‘Lifetime Homes’ types have been created, achieving Eco Homes ‘excellent’ ratings and incorporating innovative CHP units and sedum roofs.

Oxley Woods – Milton Keynes by Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners

Oxley Woods was one of sites developed under the Design for Manufacture competition. The site, in Milton Keynes, was used as a template against which all competition entrants were judged, and was the first to complete new homes. On completion there will be 145 stunning Design for Manufacture homes, designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners and built by Taylor Wimpey. Innovative ‘EcoHats’ allow hot air to be re-used, optimising energy consumption and providing solar water heating, while high levels of insulation and controlled ventilation reduce carbon emissions.

Adelaide Wharf – London developed by First Base and designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris

Adelaide Wharf in Hackney is the first completed development under the London-Wide Initiative which is helping key-workers in London get on the property ladder. Built around a substantial landscaped garden, the development includes 74 key worker and affordable homes, 73 private homes and 700 sq m of affordable workspace. All of the homes have large balconies, timber flooring, granite worktops and quality kitchen and bathroom suites.

For further information on the awards please go to www.architecture.com

Last updated: 13 June 2008