Last week, we attended the annual Manchester Architects Awards ceremony where our design for the RHS Bridgewater Garden Welcome Building won the Community – Unbuilt award.
The awards, that were held at Manchester art venue 53two celebrates buildings that have made a positive contribution to the environment in the Greater Manchester region.
The £30 million scheme, which has just been given the go ahead will be developed into one of the largest garden spaces in Europe.
Led by our Chairman and Stephen Hodder MBE, we have designed a ‘Welcome building’ which will provide a visitor gateway to RHS Bridgewater Garden.
Stephen said: “We are delighted to be involved in the fifth national RHS garden, the regeneration of the Worsley New Hall site, and a resource for the people of Salford, Greater Manchester and beyond.
“Being recognised at the annual Manchester Architects Awards for our work on RHS Garden Bridgewater is also great news for us as a practice.
“Our brief was to design a world-class visitor centre as a gateway to the gardens, and re-purpose existing buildings for catering, garden centre and retail use. When complete the building and surrounding grounds will become a real asset, not just locally, but nationally.”
Stephen, who was recently appointed Visiting Professor at Salford University, added: “As a practice we are focussing on the diversity of our offer, as we boast experience across many sectors and have a quality, innovative, meticulous and hands on approach to the work we undertake for clients.”
Following plans for RHS Bridgewater Garden getting the go-ahead, Sue Biggs, Director General, RHS, said: “We are delighted with this hugely positive news, which will allow us to progress plans for the biggest gardening project in Europe and create our first new garden in 17 years. It will be truly unique, unlike any of the other gardens in our portfolio, as it boasts a range of habitats from woods and lakes to streams and meadows.
“This news means we can fully embrace our ambition to create one of the most beautiful and inspiring gardens in Britain.”
Please keep up to date on project development through Twitter and on our website.
Photo courtesy of Suzy Wimbourne Photography.