Winterbourne Medieval Barn – ‘AABC Highly Commended’ Civic Trust Awards

Winterbourne Medieval Barn received a ‘Highly Commended’ Award, alongside 6 other projects in the national AABC Conservation Awards 2024 following success as a Civic Trust Award Regional Finalist.

“The scale of each of the Highly Commended winning projects all differ, but each demonstrates a high standard of conservation. The works undertaken have ensured that these buildings can go on to be used and appreciated by the public now and in the future.” ~ AABC Conservation Awards National Panel Member Dearbhail Keating

One of the central themes of the award criteria is the response to sustainability – in this respect our design for the barn aimed to ensure the site’s sustainability for future generations. The barns were designed to accommodate a variety of activities and people, with consideration given to transport and parking strategies for larger events. The barns were designed with adaptable spaces for various functions, such as artisan workshops and seminar rooms. Architectural and heritage interventions were considered sustainable, minimising intervention to conserve existing materials. Natural materials, such as lime render and limecrete, were used to ensure the historic structure’s breathability. Bat mitigation was also a priority, and insulation was carefully designed to form a thermal envelope. Heating was achieved using air-source heat pumps, discreetly screened to maintain the curtilage of listed structures. Four commercial units were occupied by local artisans, enhancing the sustainability and viability of the local economy.

Mark Slater and Matt Hinkins, were delighted to attend the Civic Trust Awards Ceremony at the iconic Concorde Conference Centre, Altrincham with WWA’s Winterbourne Barns being a Regional Finalist. The organisers hosted a fantastic event, with dinner held under the wings of a decommissioned Concorde. We were able to have a brief tour of the iconic aircraft ahead of the awards ceremony, and it was an honour to be a finalist among such prestigious buildings. The evening was a great celebration of high-quality architecture and collaboration, and we were glad to be part of the esteemed company.

You can read in much more detail about the history and significance of the barn by using this link to the Winterbourne Barn Project Page.