2022 was an award-winning year for A’Bear and Ball Architects
As 2023 is now well underway, A’Bear & Ball Architects LLP has been looking back on some of the schemes and projects we worked on and a few of our major achievements from 2022. Here are a few of the highlights!
A self-build home featured on Grand Designs
Plot 154, a self-build home we designed in Graven Hill, was featured on the final episode of Grand Designs: The Streets. This aired on Channel 4 in May 2022.
Presenter Kevin McCloud described the home as ‘resplendent’ and ‘finely tailored’ with a ‘slight swagger’.
It also was shortlisted as the Custom & Self Build Project of the Year at the 2022 Structural Timber Awards and Best Eco Home and Best Timber Frame Home at the 2022 Build It Awards!
A distinctive farmhouse in a beautiful setting
Here’s another self-build projects we worked on last year! Located on ‘The Ridgeway’ near Wantage, the scheme Whitehouse Farm included a large circa 4,000 sq ft replacement dwelling, in addition to some outbuildings and equestrian facilities.
With a sensitive rural setting, we focused on creating a distinctive design for the farmhouse. And we also wanted to ensure it captured far reaching views and have a low carbon footprint and exceptionally low energy credentials.
Additionally, with the property’s location in the scenic North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it was also particularly important to produce a design that respected the surrounding landscape. But also, we wanted the homeowners to enjoy the fantastic open countryside views.
As the lead architect, we worked closely with Mark Doodes Planning and the client to develop this scheme. The project was shortlisted for Best Brick Home at the 2022 Build It Awards. And we were even shortlisted as the Best Architect or Designer for a Self Build Project for our work on it.
A two-home development with stunning views
Another residential project we were the lead architect on is Danesfort, which includes two semi-sunken homes perched on a hill in Wroughton, Wiltshire. The properties feature four storeys with stunning views of the protected landscape beyond known as ‘Clouts Wood’.
When creating this scheme, low energy design principles were followed. The innovative concrete frame structure was utilised. This was done to ensure the property had a high thermal mass. Coupled with finding ways to also control the solar gain, this has led to two extremely low energy dwellings.
This project completed last year and was shortlisted as Residential Project of the Year at the 2022 Constructing Excellence South West Awards and Residential Development of the Year at the 2022 Thames Valley Property Awards.
The grand opening of a local community project
Back in October, the Shrivenham Sports Pavilion officially opened! We really enjoyed seeing this project progress over the years and are glad to see the facilities on offer to the local community.
The community building features a modern design with traditional materials, which respects its sensitive location in the Conversation Area and matches the nearby Grade II Listed Memorial Hall.
The sports pavilion was also shortlisted for Development of the Year at the 2022 Thames Valley Property Awards.
Building off the back of our success from 2022
Across 2022, we were shortlisted for 13 design and business awards, including four Build It Awards and five Thames Valley Property Awards.
And we were also named Business of the Year (0-15 Employees) at the JACKfm Brick Awards, while our co-founder and partner Damon Ball was jointly named the Young Property Person of the Year at the OxPropFest Awards.
With all of these awards and accomplishments, we’re very excited to see what 2023 has to come for our Practice. We’re currently working on a number of exciting projects we look forward to being able to share with you in due course.
Check out our online portfolio to see more of our recent designs and projects. And please get in touch if you’d like to discuss how we could work together this year!