The restoration of Tyntesfield House at Wraxall has been named South West Project of the Year in an awards scheme that champions the best architectural schemes in the region.
The National Trust-owned Grade-1 listed gothic-style Victorian country house also scooped the Building Conservation category in the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) regional awards. It was one of 41 shortlisted contenders in four categories and has gone through to the national RICS Awards where later this year it will compete against other leading projects from across the UK.
Chairman of the RICS South West judging panel Mark Robinson said: “The extensive conservation and refurbishment of Tyntesfield House has repaired and retained the building largely in the condition in which it was found, complete with artifacts, features and wear and tear.
“The mansion is a national treasure and now a major visitor attraction that uniquely reflects life in a home that was occupied from 1864 to 2001, by four generations.”
Completed in 1864, the house had fallen into significant disrepair until refurbishment work began in 2009. With £4.7m from the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage and the National Trust, extensive external and internal repairs were made and new services installed, including comfort heating powered by a bio-mass boiler and the conservation of the historic original water harvesting system within the house, as well as fire protection work. Upgraded visitor facilities such as an education room and new WCs were also fitted, as well as the installation of a lift for universal access.
The house remained open throughout the conservation work and became the focus of an innovative and successful programme of education and outreach events. Visitors could watch the progress from a roof level platform, which in turn boosted numbers.
Bath’s Dyson Centre for Neo Natal Care, won the Design and Innovation Award and Batheaston Primary School, also in Bath, the Community Benefit Award.
Among the highly-commended projects were the Cabot Tower Restoration works in Bristol
And the National Composite Centre on the Bristol & Bath Science Park.
RICS director Luay Al-Khatib said: “The South West has seen some world-class examples of development this year. We also offer a hearty well done to the highly commended project teams as well as praise to all entrants for the passion, drive and commitment that they have clearly displayed in delivering their projects.”
The winners and highly commended project teams will each receive their awards at individual ceremonies at the project sites this summer.
For further information visit www.rics.org.
