Three projects take home 2016 AJ Small Projects Prize

For the first time in the award’s 21 year history the judges decided to hand the prize to three schemes. 

An extension to a house in Harrogate by Doma Architects, a kinetic shelter by Bartlett student Charlie Redman and a timber wildlife cabin in Bristol by Hugh Strange Architects have been revealed as the best schemes built for less than £250,000. 

The winners

Contemporary lean-to by Doma Architects

The Welcoming Shelter by Charlie Redman

Avon Wildlife Trust Cabin by Hugh Strange Architects

The judging panel chaired by ex-AJ editor Rory Olcayto and including architect and developer Roger Zogolovitch, architect Sally Lewis, John Boxall of Jackson Coles, outgoing RIBA head of awards Tony Chapman, and Gianfranco Apicella from competition sponsor Marley Eternit said the schemes portrayed an architecture of disruption. 

A special readers’ choice award was handed to Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios’ Observatory after it topped a poll voted on by more than 930 AJ readers. 

Now in its twenty-first year, the AJ Small Projects Awards have been sponsored by Marley Eternit for six years running. 

Last year the AJ Small Projects Award was picked up by Carmody Groarke’s temporary Maggie’s Centre at Clatterbridge. 

Judges’ comments 

Roger Zogolovitch 

’The schemes chosen are consistent in representing a new direction where architects are taking more control and initiative and using their design skills to drive good value.’

Sally Lewis

‘Each of the designers is doing something which liberates then from the shackles of ordinary architecture. With smalls means they have achieved remarkable outcomes.’

John Boxall

‘We have chosen different schemes which aren’t conventionally beautiful but which have disrupted the areas they are involved in.’

Tony Chapman

‘Disruption comes in many forms from creating shelter to changing the way a house works and givin the client something which they hadn’t thought of’.