Guernsey Design Awards 2020

We are excited to say we have been nominated for not one, not two, but THREE 2020 Guernsey Design Awards 🎉 Honouring distinctive, original, inspirational and sustainable design of the built environment in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

Commercial: JB Parkers

Redesigning one of Guernsey’s oldest establishments was always going to be an exciting project which required a high level of finish within a very tight time frame. The Library Bar at Moores Hotel had been popular with locals and visitors alike for years, situated in the heart of St Peter Port.

During the major refurbishment of the main bar, the opportunity arose to develop a wine bar in the existing basement. As a protected structure, we worked closely with the States of Guernsey Planning and Conservation Department to create the exposed brick vaulted cellar – exhibiting the former medieval life of St Peter Port.

The project represents a great example of breathing life back into an under-utilised building creating vitality and activity in the town area, we are grateful to see such a project on the shortlist.

Single Residential New Build: Icart de Bas

This breath-taking project certainly has the view to be on the Guernsey Design Awards shortlist. Icart de Bas has been meticulously designed to capture the stunning vistas of Saints Bay and beyond. The site has been part of the family for several generations, so it was imperative to do justice to the unique location.

We worked closely with the client to design a house that sat sensitively within the site, which was directly above the coastal path. This was achieved by lowering the building line and forming a basement level.

Sustainability was at the core of this design and the scheme is certified to meet Passivhaus standards of air-tightness, significantly exceeding the Guernsey Technical standards as well as harnessing energy from the sun and minimising running costs.

We are pleased that the project has been recognised for pushing the sustainability standards of the island and looking forward into the future of architecture and construction.

Small Project Award Shortlist: Maison de la Guerre

French for ‘house from the war’, Maison de la Guerre is an unusual project PF+A worked on converting a World War 2 bunker that had been built by the Germans in their occupation of the island.

The intention was to maintain the simple architectural form with a modest extension, keeping the material palette subdued with the addition of a sedum roof evoking the relationship with the landscape and the passing of time.

Working closely with the clients and Planning and Conservation during the design process, we were careful to retain the character of the building. The concrete mass structure proved to create a comfortable living environment, retaining an ambient temperature in the dry and well-ventilated space.

We are proud to see such a worthy project on the shortlist, full of the client’s passion and care for the building. A project we will never forget.