A North-east architectural practice behind an innovative, sustainable new build project in Aberdeen has picked up two prestigious industry awards, it was revealed yesterday (Thursday, March 3).
RIAS chartered practice MAC Architects collected the Aberdeen Society of Architects (ASA) Design Awards at its annual dinner held in the Granite City last Friday night.
Based in Newmachar, the dynamic team won the Residential Award and the Supreme Award – the project deemed to be the best across all categories – for its design and delivery of Westwood Villa, a substantial new build home for a private client in the Aberdeen suburb of Stoneywood.
More than 200 people attended the glittering awards ceremony, which took place at the city’s Chester Hotel to celebrate some of the best architectural talent in the north east of Scotland. Now in its centenary year, the awards showcase the professional expertise of ASA members and the exceptional quality of work produced year on year.
Directors of MAC Architects Jonathan Cheyne and Blair Milne designed Westwood Villa using cutting edge 3D BIM (Building Information Modelling) software. In line with their holistic approach to sustainability, the duo combined large areas of glazing with a super insulated timber clad envelope to achieve a highly efficient SAP ‘A’ Rated building. Several bespoke features were created inside the property to give a wow factor, including a contemporary floating staircase and bespoke full height doors with shadow gaps.
Jonathan Cheyne, director at MAC Architects says: “We are extremely proud of what we achieved at Westwood Villa and to receive industry recognition from the
Aberdeen Society of Architects is the icing on the cake. As a business we are strong advocates of sustainability and are always looking for innovative ways to make our buildings more energy efficient.”
A panel of distinguished judges considered entries in six categories for this year’s ASA Awards including Professor David McClean, head of the School of Architecture at Robert Gordon University. David says: “In Westwood Villa, MAC Architects delivered an outstanding house which is very cleverly planned, and with great attention to detail. It makes strong use of its site, adopts a consistently applied contemporary language and has a rigour of execution that pervades every aspect of the building. In combination, this creates a striking piece of architecture built to very exacting standards, which creates an elegant and highly functional family home.”
Jonathan continues: “We strive to lead the way in our industry and are proud to be one of only a few practices in Scotland to have 3D BIM software integrated at the core of our business. The latest 3D software is transforming the way we work with our clients – and it was integral to the efficient design and delivery of Westwood Villa. Our team is working hard to encourage sub-contractors, engineers and the council to use and accept it more readily.”
The BIM concept creates a virtual construction model of any project no matter what size prior to its actual physical construction and helps to increase accuracy, reduce uncertainty, maximise efficiency and simulate and analyse potential impacts.
Following a series of new business wins, MAC Architects recently appointed an architectural technologist to join its team. With a diverse portfolio of commercial and residential clients, the growing practice played a key role in the £1million extension at Insch Primary School at the end of 2015.
For more information on MAC Architects visit www.mac-architects.co.uk