Better by design

In the fourth of a series of regular articles, estate agent Trevor Cooper takes a closer look at Guernsey property. This week, he examines the shortlisted entries in the Norman Piette-sponsored Guernsey Design Awards for 2012...

A wide and varied selection of buildings is shortlisted for the Norman Piette-sponsored Guernsey Design Awards for 2012 to recognise outstanding design in local architecture.

The initiative is a development of the States Environment Department and the Guernsey Society of Architects with the support of the Royal Institute of British Architects. The website www.guernseydesignawards.com explains how 11 projects from nearly 50 entries have been shortlisted.

The panel of judges comprises architects, planners and construction specialists looking for 'distinctive, original, inspirational and sustainable design'.

We are also told that the awards will recognise 'exemplary work that provides the best solution to a project's requirements whilst enhancing the built environment in Guernsey'.

Surely no one project can fulfil such challenging criteria, so how will the judges determine a level of importance?

If all else is equal, will conservation trump energy efficiency? Does contemporary design have the edge on retaining traditional style? Is sympathetic use of materials preferred to maximising space to the best effect?

Can a Housing Association low-budget development compete with no expense spared makeover, or, conversely, is it superior for that very reason?

We are faced with a similar dilemma as, for the first time, the general public are being asked to choose our favourite project either by voting online or by completing a form at the Guernsey Design Awards displays at the airport and Guille-Alles Library.

Fortunately, our lack of technical knowledge is assumed as we are being asked only which design we think provides the best solution to the project requirements and which we feel most enhances our built environment.

Judging by the depth of feeling and public outcry against some of the ultra-modern buildings appearing on our landscape, I suspect the People's Choice will be driven by the latter – that is, which building most enhances our built environment.

We are used to changing tides in Guernsey and the strong current of new design is pulling against a spring tide of opposition – and landlubbers worry the Environment Department navigates the choppy waters without the proverbial paddle.

But it is us who have taken away that paddle by demanding the Environment Department changes from its oppressive past, when 'incongruous' was the common and fateful byword – possibly even said to those who now complain about the department's moderation on contemporary design.

The Guernsey Design Awards is not an annual celebration, being previously held in 2005, 2003 and first in 2001, when some will remember Cresswell, Cuttle and Dyke's L'Escargot raced away with the prize.

There are three main awards this year. The overall winner will be chosen by the panel of judges; the sponsor, Norman Piette, will decide upon the Contractor of the Year for craftsmanship in construction and for the first time there is the People's Choice award.

The website and display boards show a brief synopsis of each property, from which we see that the first on the shortlist, called Les Bardeaux, has a modern take on traditional craftsmanship.

It also features high levels of insulation, an air source heat pump and whole house ventilation system, as does the next property, Le Portelet, which also has sweet-chestnut cladding chosen to minimise the impact on the surrounding landscape.

Another contender is Etoile du Nord with its stepped form and layered use of materials designed to merge into the hillside location.

Rather than the whole refurbishment of the Town Church, we must reflect upon its new lighting system.

Strategic lighting transforms any building where focus and effect are paramount and the lighting of the Town Church is nothing less than inspired.

Old buildings are known not to have square corners.

The only thing more difficult to work with is a curve – fine on a computer screen but totally different on site when the curve and The Mill it surrounds are both made of granite.

Conservation is admirable, when it is appropriate, as clearly evident with two magnificent 17th-century houses respectively known as Les Prevosts Farm and Les Granges de Beauvoir Manor.

Don't be swayed by their chocolate box appeal – renovating an old building is more difficult than building new and the true value is in the painstaking work behind the good looks.

Community housing is a surprising but no less worthy nominee. At Sir John Leale Avenue simplicity and function have been blended into purposely understated style, but style nonetheless, all within a limited budget set to profit from energy savings for years to come.

A full width, floor to ceiling wall of glass does not look out of place amongst rows of greenhouses and the spacious, uncluttered interior of Earlswood Cafe is largely due to the wide span roof.

What essentially is a square box was tastefully conceived and delivered.

Looking less like a packing shed than some modern buildings, La Vinnaire is, indeed, a former packing shed given a new lease of life without, as the fact sheet states, losing its identity as part of Guernsey's history.

There is an almost imperceptible skill in the subtle evolution of the Robin Roussel Sports Pavilion.

The first impression is that of the Tardis, although this also has optimum glazing and extended solar shading to control heat loss and gain without the need for mechanical cooling.

Low carbon energy efficiency is today's mantra for any architect of new developments.

In the same way cars have changed during the past 25 years, so are our buildings both in design and technology.

Voting closes on 2 April, less than a week away, and the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 11 May.

This is much more fun than the other election in April – and you can even vote for a property outside your parish.