Hertford Civic Society Awards 2011

The Civic Society Awards have been made since 1973. The purpose of the Awards is to give recognition to those who serve well the cause of improving the environment and amenities of Hertford and thus to encourage others who are in a position to improve the town to act responsibly. Any building or its environment which has been improved, or any new building, is eligible for entry. Improvement can include extensions, restoration, painting and landscaping. There are three categories of recognition – a full Award, Highly Commended and Commended.

Photographs of the 15 schemes and projects that were examined by the 2011 judging panel can be seen HERE. Double click on each photograph to enlarge and find what it shows. It is also possible to run a photo gallery slide show.

This article below is a summary of comments from the Report of the Panel Chairman Russ Craig. Thanks to Andrew Goodman for photographs of the Oasis Cafe and to Terry Betts for the other photographs.

The Awards and Commendations are related primarily to the impact of the new development on the appearance and character of its surroundings. The emphasis is on good urban design, complementing the townscape. The criteria include the following: Architectural Merit Suitability of Treatment Sensitivity to the Surroundings Significance of Townscape (including consideration of what was there before) and Quality of workmanship

BIRCHERLEY COURT, BIRCHERLEY STREET

Alterations extensions and refurbishment of existing elderly persons’ flats and erection of 14 additional flats

Bircherley Court is situated on the edge of the town centre just a few metres from the bus station and town centre shops and easily accessible for visitors from Hertford East railway station. The complex replaced what one assessor described as a rather uninviting building - a very tired dull and bulky red brick 1970s structure with a slate roof that was slightly canted from the vertical.

The new Bircherley building is a refreshing change. It is one of a new generation of attractive homes for the elderly residents modelled more closely on the needs of the residents and their carers. Many fine innovations and facilities for residents have been provided, not least a roof garden and facilities for family, friends and visitors. With intelligent phasing of the construction of the new complex the disruption and noise was kept to a minimum. At the same time the need to decant existing elderly and infirm residents was avoided where possible.

Comments:

The building makes a strong architectural statement in a prominent town centre location, providing a kaleidoscope of colour as a background to an otherwise uninspiring bus station forecourt and multi storey car park opposite. In contrast the elevation facing Railway Street is restrained in terms of its overall design and the use of materials. It is lower in height to respect neighbouring buildings.

Butterfly and other convoluted roof elements contribute to the skyline. Careful attention has been paid to the choice of brickwork, self finished metal windows and doors, roofing materials and rainwater pipes, although there was slight concern about how the latter would weather. There are signs that the landscaping is of an appropriate high quality, defining the public and private areas of the development and helping to assimilate the building in an otherwise harsh urban environment. Most importantly, it stimulates the interest and well being of the residents and passers-by.

The refurbishment of these flats was a great opportunity to uplift this former dreary part of Hertford and it has achieved its objective. The design is innovative and refreshing. It is a building of today and very fit for purpose - the wellbeing, comfort and happiness of elderly members of the community.

Recommendation:

The awards panel was unanimous in recommending an AWARD

WARREN LODGE, 38 PORT HILL

Single storey end and first floor rear extensions

Comments:

Warren Lodge is one of a group of several Victorian buildings lining either side of lower Port Hill on one of the main approaches to, and exits from, the town; it is prominent on a slight bend and visible from lower ground down Port Hill.

The panel considered the extension to be well sited. It is set back from the frontage of the lodge, is well proportioned and is subordinate to the existing building. In contrast to the fine brickwork of the existing building, light coloured rendering helps to lighten its appearance. The use of elaborately carved barge boards that replicate those used in the lodge form the icing on the cake. It is a pity that the first floor window facing Port Hill is wider and located closer to the apex of the gable than its neighbour, but this is a minor point and did not prevent the panel from concluding that this is a building of high status appropriate for its location. It complements the existing lodge by way of its size, height and detailed design. It also enhances the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.

Recommendation:

The panel recommended an AWARD

HERTFORD THEATRE, THE WASH

Refurbishment with extension to main entrance lobby area, new windows to riverside and new windows and roof atrium to “hexagon building”, new lighting, riverside decking, railings and landscaping.

The recent alterations were the result of an architectural competition won by Architects Briffa Phillips. Their brief was to open up various parts of the building and to find new commercial uses for previously dead space and their key theme was ‘transparency’ and ‘accessibility’, making the people of Hertford aware of their facility. Recent statistics supplied by Mr Briffa indicate that the refurbished building has been very rewarding. Of the visitors to the new spaces, 80% had never visited the building before. This is apparent at all times of the day and night with visitors enjoying refreshments in the Café or a quick look at an art exhibition. In architectural terms the modelling of the facade was quite a challenge given the strong brickwork shapes that define the building. In his own words the architect chose to work with this angular scheme only in glass.

Comments:

The new entrance front is a refreshing change from its predecessor. The former horizontal metal clad fascia above the industrial looking aluminium entrance doors and screen have been replaced with a more welcoming lightweight modular structure of glass panels within black metal frames. The colours of the glazed panels range from deep purple to light apple green and white. At the same time the former brick built hexagonal toilet block has been converted to provide a new light and airy gallery and café space. Natural lighting levels have been greatly increased by the new roof lantern. Through the construction of new large plate glass windows the new public space connects visually with the views and historic townscape of Hertford outside.

Externally there has been substantial improvement in the quality of the public realm by de-cluttering signs, repaving external surfaces, removal of bollards and miscellaneous additions that had accumulated over the years. New decking and railings have also been added and the sculpture commemorating the first meeting of the Synod in the town in AD 674 has been re-located to a more prominent position.

The panel members were unanimous in their praise of the extensions and alterations. However there were one or two areas where improvements could have been made: I quote one of the judges as follows. The River room, when not in use for functions (i.e. most of the time) appears to be used as a store room, and randomly stacked tables and chairs and boxes are unattractive when viewed from the riverside garden; the door from the café area leads to what seems to have been intended as a small riverside patio, but it is unfurnished and unused and the planting untended.

The promotional posters work well inside the glass walls but the external display boxes on the brickwork are small and fragmented, with the electrical components very visible; while the front fascia is acceptable, the pale green fascia on the river frontage is rather flimsy and the joints are discolouring already; no provision of external seating. These are minor deficiencies compared with the benefits derived from an innovative and refreshing project. The panel commended all concerned with the project which made the building more attractive, more welcoming and enhanced the townscape.

Recommendation:

The panel recommended a COMMENDATION

OASIS CAFÉ AT THE METHODIST CHURCH, WARE ROAD

Front extension to the 1960s church incorporating a café

This is a front extension to an attractive church of contemporary design that had a fan-fold brick frontage in light yellow brickwork topped by a copper roof. Alongside is a tall slim copper clad spire surmounted by a cross.

Comments:

This was described as follows by one of the panel judges who wrote what we all felt about the extension: a small gem with a very welcoming appearance, very successful, a great improvement on what was there before, opening up the building to the street and joining the existing structure so well that it looks as if it was always meant to be there.

Another described it as light, open and welcoming. The design is uncluttered and does not appear out of proportion to the surrounding buildings.

The only criticism related to the small patch of worn grass between the new glazed façade and the footpath, which could be replaced by sympathetic paving or shrubs. Judging by the popularity of the café, this is a community asset which complements the use, character and appearance of the church and enhances the townscape.

Recommendation:

The panel recommended this be HIGHLY COMMENDED

LUSSMANNS RESTAURANT 42 FORE STREET

Repainting Scheme

Known as the Egyptian House, it was constructed in 1825 and has a fine ground floor shop front with tapered window surrounds to the sliding sashes and a curved cornice with scarab beetle decoration. In the 1960s the building was a Grocery Shop. Apart from the groceries the premises was famous for its bright sulphur yellow paint applied fairly liberally to most of the external wall and window joinery. The lower sashes of the ground floor windows were normally raised in summer months to show a display of fruit and vegetables. In subsequent years it was used as a restaurant. The present owner has consulted widely with East Herts Council officers, paint specialists and manufacturers.

Comments:

This is an excellent re-decoration of the building frontage that is sympathetic to the Egyptian style and contributes greatly to the architectural variety and interest of Fore Street.

Recommendation:

The panel recommeded a SPECIAL MENTION

REFURBISHMENT OF CLOCK AT CHRIST’S HOSPITAL

Since the conversion of Christ’s Hospital Girls’ School into retirement flats in the 1980s, the clock (which dates from 1824 and is a rare ‘special’ made by Thwaites and Read of Clerkenwell) has not worked and its appearance was cosmetically poor. Chauncy Court Residents’ Association was keen to have the clock restored and approached Smith of Derby Ltd, who restored the clock and dial to full working order by installing an electric motor that ensures the clock will be accurate, self correcting following power failure, and will automatically perform summer and winter time changes. The total cost was estimated to be in the region of £6,000. The Residents’ Association was unable to fund the work itself but sought some grants and raised the full cost through general donations. Restoration of the clock and dial was completed in March 2010.

Comments:

This was a relatively small project compared with most of the other entries. Nevertheless it is very important. It was due to the civic minded, public spirited and persistent Residents’ Association that the clock has now been returned to working order. It is seen and appreciated by the residents of Chauncy Court and by hundreds of pedestrians passing the building every day. The working clock adds to the interest of the building itself and to the character, appearance and charm of street furniture and sculptures at Christ’s Hospital.

Recommendation:

The Residents’ Association are to be applauded in tackling this important project. SPECIAL MENTION

WESTFIELD HOUSE WEST STREET

Two storey and single storey side extension and alterations to former music centre

No. 54, Westfield is a timber framed house, built in the C17. It was altered and extended in the C18 and C19 and last used as a school. A new conservatory has replaced a large mid C19C timber framed conservatory which had an ornamental fretted ridge and iron finials. However parts of it were beyond repair and not weathertight. Between this new structure and the existing main house a room has been added at first floor level to provide a private office and a small dressing area. There is access at first floor level and by stairs from the conservatory.

Comments:

Inspection of the external brickwork confirmed that there was an excellent choice of bricks for the new work. This is due to the determination of the owners, builder and EHDC officers to get it right especially as there were three or four different types of bricks used on various parts of the building. Viewed from the garden in conjunction with the existing building the new work provides a near symmetrical composition as far as the massing and roofline are concerned.

The attention to detail is evident in the design and construction of the new and refurbished work, particularly the new Gothic lancet-arched-traceried top sashes which have been modelled on the existing vertical sliding sash windows.

Recommendation:

This is difficult to consider for an Award as the rear and side of the building is not visible to the public. Nor is it part of the townscape as the extension is lower than, and set back from West Street. The panel considered the scheme to be outside the criteria for the Civic Society Awards. However the new accommodation has been carried out with special concern for the building as a whole. Also the workmanship was carried out to a very high standard. There was some disappointment about the new paved areas. SPECIAL MENTION

Prior to 2011, awards were last made in 2007. More details of those can be viewed in the ARCHIVES section of this web site.