Leamington architects’ projects RIBA awards shortlist

Sjölander da Cruz Architects’ River Studio, which is it’s new base in Old Milverton Lane, Blackdown, and its Badge Works project in Birmingham have been named among the nine nominees for this year’s Royal Institute Of British Architects West Midlands Awards.

The company now has a chance to win the prestigious Stirling Prize later this year.

Company director Marco da Cruz said: “We converted River Studio last year from an asbestos shed into Passivhaus eco offices following our move from Birmingham. The £250,000 project won The Architects Journal Retrofit Award last summer and was the first commercial Passivhaus EnerPhit building to be completed in the world. It uses innovative construction techniques to reduce the energy required to heat and light it by minimising energy loss and maximising the passive gain of heat from the sun.

“The Badge Works was a £1.5 million project to convert a former Badge Factory into houses and offices. Last month the project was also shortlisted by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in its awards.

“It’s great to have two projects shortlisted for the RIBA awards, especially schemes which have taken two derelict, unpromising buildings and turned them into outstanding places to live and work.”