Inside the two amazing Welsh properties shortlisted for a top award

Two Welsh property projects have been shortlisted for the Royal Society of Architects Wales (RSAW) 2022 architecture awards.

They are the Grange Pavilion designed by Benham Architects and IBI Group in Cardiff and a private residence near Swansea designed by Loyn & Co Architects.

All shortlisted projects will be assessed by a regional jury, and the winning projects will be announced in spring 2022.

READ MORE: Historic woodland lodge transformed into New England-style hideaway

The winners of the Royal Society of Architects Wales awards will then be considered for a highly coveted RIBA national award in recognition of their architectural excellence, the results of which will be announced in the summer.

The UK national awards that a Welsh entrant could clinch include the RIBA Sustainability Award sponsored by Michelmersh and the RIBA Building of the Year sponsored by Taylor Maxwell.

Arguably the ultimate prize at the highest UK national level of awards is the annual Royal Institute of British Architects RIBA Stirling prize, considered to be the most prestigious architecture award in the UK. The winner of the 2022 Stirling Prize will be announced in October.

Regarding the Grange Pavilion and private Swansea house being shortlisted for the regional awards, Royal Society of Architects Wales jury chair Sarah Featherstone says: “The jury had lively and stimulating conversations around all of the entries and were unanimous in our decision to shortlist these two very exciting projects.

“Both are quite different, with one being a community hub and the other a private dwelling, but they share a similar sensitivity and distinctiveness in the way they responded to their contexts.

“Environmental sustainability and social sustainability were high on our agenda and neither project disappointed. We are looking forward to our site visits and the opportunity to experience the buildings in person.”

We’ve launched a new property group on Facebook.

Whether you love nosing around beautiful properties or always keep an eye open for your latest project, this group will bring you the best in Welsh homes, properties, renovations and more.

Join our new group for all the latest.

The private residence near Swansea with a chance of becoming the Welsh regional winner and so then be entered into the UK national awards was designed by Penarth based Loyn & Co architects.

It was originally a home nestled into the trees and undulating landscape that didn’t take advantage of the views of its position on a hillside within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Now it’s an energy-efficient sustainable home with multiple views to mesmerise in each space, and from numerous angles.

Loyn & Co state that the client’s brief focused on the potential of the location and the importance of the context of the site; the topography and existing trees.

Keen gardeners and owners of two dogs, the owners wanted a house that would create a retreat that would be suitable for the warm months and harsh winters experienced in this area as well as being able to hear and smell the sea whatever the season.

The design for the home actually relocated it rather than upgrading what existed, and has created a hidden gem, buried into the existing hillside with ancillary spaces housed at lower ground floor level.

The main accommodation can be found on the ground floor, with three zones across this one level of sleeping, relaxing and living.

The core of the design is the connection to the outside environment and the spectacular views, with maximum sight lines created that flow effortlessly and uninterrupted out to the views beyond through walls of glass, sliding doors and massive windows.

The first floor houses the main bedroom and ensuite with a prime view directly from the bath of the path down to a nearby beach.

The other amazing building revealed to have been shortlisted is Grange Pavilion in Cardiff, a multi-purpose indoor and outdoor community hub.

The building is located in Grange Gardens in the suburb of Grangetown and was built by BECT construction.

Grange Pavilion was designed by Benham Architects and IBI Group, who say the property was based on inclusion, ideas ownership by residents, social cohesion and community wellbeing.

Help with your hunt for a home here:

The company says the building materials used were chosen to reflect its surroundings.

Choices include matching the existing brickwork of the surrounding terraced houses, and the masonry garden wall that wraps the north and east façade, acting as a suitable boundary that creates an interaction with the existing Victorian park.

Lime mortar in the brickwork matches the existing stonework on surrounding houses, and a folding roof echoes the terraced houses of the surrounding areas.

It’s not just human local residents that have been considered either. Bee, bird and bat bricks have been used to create a hive for insects and animal activity, and to provide a nesting place.

Inside, the building offers a trio of large, linked and sociable spaces that can be booked and used by community residents and groups that include homework clubs, art therapy and indoor sports activities.

The building also has a coffee shop operated by the local community, a small office and accessible toilets.

An external classroom has also been designed, creating an outdoor learning and collaboration space linked to the local school and after-school community gardening activities.

The project to rebuild the pavilion started more than seven years ago and was completed and opened in 2020.

The project managed to secure £1.7 million in funding, including just over £1m from the Big Lottery Fund and further funding from Welsh Government.

The Grange Pavilion was also part of the Vertical Studios project, that involved more than 400 university students working on the design for the new building.

This was a worldwide project and part of the students’ curriculum when studying architecture at Cardiff University.

The redevelopment of the building was also made possible through financial help from the Garfield Weston Foundation and The Moordance Foundation.

Mhairi Mcvicar, who is part of the Welsh School of Architecture, said at the time of designing the new building that the project would not be possible without the help of the community.

The UK national RIBA Awards have been running since 1966 and are considered to set the standard for great architecture all across the country.

They are for buildings in the UK designed by RIBA Chartered Architects and RIBA International Fellows.

The mission of the organisation is to champion better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and through their members.

Never miss the best property, renovation and interiors stories, sign up for the Amazing Welsh Homes Property Newsletter here.