TWO of the most striking buildings in Ipswich have been given top awards by the town's heritage organisation.
TWO of the most striking buildings in Ipswich have been given top awards by the town's heritage organisation.
The new preparatory department at Ipswich School, in Ivry Street, and Minerva Court social housing, in Fore Street, have both been highly commended by the Ipswich Society in their annual awards ceremony at the St Stephen's Centre.
The new Ipswich School department was designed by Brett Hallworth at Bidwells and built by the Jackson Group.
It was designed to resemble the lines of a ship - a move that was praised by the judges from the society.
Chairman of the judging panel Dr Chris Wiltshire said: “The design, like an ocean liner, shows a sense of fun and panache - it takes risks.”
Minerva Court was built by developers Braceforce Ltd to provide social housing as a condition to get permission for the Cardinal Lofts development. It was designed by Wincer, Kievenaar Partnership.
Dr Wiltshire said: “This has a high standard of workmanship - an excellent resource of low cost accommodation.”
A further three projects were commended by the society at the same ceremony - six town houses in Upper High Street, designed by Barefoot and Gilles and built by SEH French, Cranberry Square at Ravenswood designed by George F Johnson Associates for Bellway Homes and Trinity Lodge at Back Hamlet, a conversion into two town houses by Nicholas Jacob Architects for client Baltai Ltd.
Ipswich Society chairman Jack Chapman said it had been decided not to give out the outstanding contribution award this year.
He said: “There haven't been any large developments which really have the wow factor, but perhaps it is too much to expect that to happen every year.
“We have great hopes for the new university building. That should be a real addition to the landscape.”
Mr Chapman said the society would welcome nominations for future awards from anyone who felt a new Ipswich building was worthy of inclusion.
These can be nominated by visiting the Ipswich Society website at www.ipswichsociety.org.uk
N Which buildings in Ipswich do you think deserve an award? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here