Passivhaus scheme named as UK’s best new building aided by expertise from Hamson Barron Smith Tuesday, 15 October, 2019
One of the largest Passivhaus social housing schemes in the country – with almost 100 new homes – has received the highly prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize 2019 for the UK’s best new building.
Hamson Barron Smith provided quantity surveying services for the £14.7m Goldsmith Street project in Norwich which has been described by the RIBA as “a modest masterpiece.”
As the site had a controversial political history, it was essential that the client, Norwich City Council, received maximum value for money.
Hamson Barron Smith worked closely with the design team to put their stamp on the prestigious scheme.
This involved a heavy involvement in the design process including a number of value engineering exercises pre and post tender and a robust approach to risk management.
Peter Giles, Director of Surveying & Development at Hamson Barron Smith, said: “We are delighted to have played a significant part in bringing the Goldsmith Street project to life. The end result is a remarkable achievement worthy of RIBA’s recognition.”
Goldsmith Street beat off a number of high profile schemes on Tuesday (October 8) such as the redevelopment of London Bridge railway station and the Nevill Holt Opera, Market Harborough.
The judging panel said: “It is high-quality architecture in its purest, most environmentally and socially conscious form.
“Behind restrained creamy façades are impeccably-detailed, highly sustainable homes – an incredible achievement for a development of this scale. This is proper social housing, over ten years in the making, delivered by an ambitious and thoughtful council. These desirable, spacious, low-energy properties should be the norm for all council housing.”
All images © Tim Crocker
