WINNING PROJECTS DCA25 VIDEO
Follow this link to see a video showcasing the winning projects.
The Design and Craftsmanship Awards 2025
Norwich and Norfolk
CELEBRATING OUTSTANDING BUILDINGS AND PLACES
Working together to celebrate building excellence
This year, RIBA Norfolk, The Norwich Society and Norwich University of the Arts NUA were joined by the Norfolk Gardens Trust for the Design and Craftsmanship Awards 2025. These biennial awards are a celebration of outstanding buildings and places throughout Norfolk that positively affect our built environment and make Norfolk a fantastic place to live and work. The event was sponsored by Vantage.
The 2025 awards ceremony were held at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, where 12 projects were recognised for their contribution and a further 13 projects received commendations. The projects were all based in Norfolk with designers and contractors mostly from the county.
A nomination not only celebrates the finished project, but all those involved from designers to the specialist craftsmen whose collaboration delivers high standards of finish and innovation. An award winner gains increased industry profile and recognition in a wider setting.
The awards were given to projects that deliver a high standard of design and craftsmanship in their construction and finishes, meet the needs of their users and contribute to the public enjoyment of places, and demonstrate that they have taken account of the wider environmental implications, including minimising any impact on climate change from their construction and use.
The award categories included: Houses and Housing; Non-residential; Conservation; Community; and, new for 2025 – Designed Landscapes. There is also a Student Award category for the best design work by a student studying architecture at NUA. An award for Sustainability was introduced in 2023 for projects selected from all categories which demonstrate the highest standard of environmental design.
HOUSES AND HOUSING AWARD
There were so many nominations for this award category this year that the judges decided to split the category into two:
The winning project recognised in the Houses and Housing New Build category was:
- Burnham Rise, King’s Lynn, for the team’s careful work, led by Cowper Griffith Architects LLP, in creating a distinctive contemporary dwelling rooted in Norfolk’s vernacular.
Commendations were given to:
- Viners Shed, Hales designed by Studio Drake Ltd.
- The Walled Garden House, Mundford, designed by Clayland Architecture.
- Purdy Street, Salhouse, designed by Ingleton Wood LLP
The winning projects recognised in the Houses and Housing Conservation, extension and refurbishment category were:
- Mecklenburg House, Dersingham. Liv Architects have designed a sensitive and richly detailed extension to a historic home, enhancing family living with crafted materials, spatial generosity, and a strong connection to garden and heritage through thoughtful, contextual design.
- Coastal Cottage, Cley next the Sea, a thoughtful re-imagined home that conjoins a pair of traditional flint cottages to create a spacious single dwelling designed by Hudson Architects.
Commendations were given to:
- North Norwich, designed by Robin Bertram Architects Ltd.
- Wacton House, Wacton designed by Lanpro and Tye Architects
NON-RESIDENTIAL AWARD
The winning projects recognised in the non-residential category were:
- Pricilla Bacon Lodge, Norwich, a £13.5million charity-funded state-of-the-art hospice providing 24 inpatient beds and day care facilities designed by LSI Architects.
- Hethersett Academy, a new secondary school block which complements the existing architecture to create a cohesive hub for learning and social activities, designed by NPS Property Services Ltd.
A commendation was given to:
- Gresham’s School designed by Hudson Architects.
DESIGNED LANDSCAPES AWARD
The winning project in the Designed Landscapes category was:
- Hay Hill. The Re-imagining of an outdated and inaccessible civic space in central Norwich to create a vibrant, green and accessible oasis, designed by Norwich City Council Landscape Design Team and Ingleton Wood LLP.
A commendation was given to:
- Little Plumstead Walled Garden, designed and carried out by the Volunteers of the Walled Garden Community Shop & Café.
CONSERVATION AWARD
The winning project recognised in the conservation category was:
- Church Farm, Wiveton. An extensive farmhouse renovation, sensitively preserving historic features while updating for modern living and sustainability, designed by Wray-McCann Architect Limited.
A commendation was given to:
- Bethel St Police Station
COMMUNITY AWARD
The Community Award recognises and celebrates successful community projects which have engaged local people throughout the decision-making, design and building processes.
The winning project recognised in the community category was:
- Soul Church, Norwich. Architects Feilden+ Mawson LLP won a national design competition to design Soul Church, a multi-use Church, including an auditorium, offices, café and nursery re-establishing their home in Heartsease after the original building burnt down after a lightning strike in 2006.
Commendations were given to:
- Jessop Road Scout Hut and Community Hub, Norwich, designed by A Square Architects.
- Norwich Book Benches, designed by Lanpro.
- Norwich Samaritans HQ. designed by Brown & Co LLP.
The SIR BERNARD FEILDEN AWARD for Conservation was awarded in recognition of excellence in alterations and restoration of a historic building in Norwich.
This year the award was presented to:
- Norwich Castle. Norwich Castle Keep: Gateway to Medieval England, is a major refurbishment of a Grade 1 Listed Norman keep, principally aiming to re-establish the original layout, led by architects Feilden+Mawson LLP.
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
The environment and the climate crisis is of huge importance to all of the DCA partners. The Sustainability Award is given to the project which demonstrates the highest standard of environmental design, as selected from all the categories.
The winning awards for sustainability was given to two projects
- Church Farm (Conservation award winner) Sustainability considerations included using natural, recycled an locally sourced materials where possible, double glazed Windows, triple glazed roof lights, extensive underfloor heating, an air source heat pump, a rainwater harvester and increased porous water surfaces for responsible water management.
- Coastal Cottage, (Houses and Housing. Conservation, extension and refurbishment award winner) A comprehensive retrofit and energy upgrade which also prioritising natural material and respecting the building’s historic fabric.
A commendation was given to:
- Purdy Street, Salhouse (Houses and Housing, New build)
STUDENT AWARD
This year’s Student Award was given to: Anastasiia (Asya) Milenko.
A commendation was given to : Megi Muslia.
CHARITIES
The DCA25 supported two charities - Shelter who provide advice, support, legal services on a range of housing issues and homelessness, and Norwich Open Christmas who enable people who are alone or homeless to enjoy a free Christmas dinner and other gifts.
Details of award categories and criteria For DCA2025 can be found on the DCA website: designandcraftsmanshipawards.org.uk
Shortlisted Projects DCA25
Design and Craftsmanship Awards 2023
In search of the best new architecture in Norwich and Norfolk
“We believe great projects can change people’s lives for the better”.
This year, RIBA Norfolk and The Norwich Society were joined by Norwich University of the Arts for the Design and Craftsmanship Awards 2023. These biennial awards are a celebration of outstanding buildings and places throughout Norfolk that positively affect our built environment and make Norfolk a fantastic place to live and work.
The event was sponsored by Vantage. The 2023 awards ceremony was once again held at The Assembly House in Norwich with seventeen built projects recognised for their contribution. The projects were all based in Norfolk with designers and contractors mostly from the county.
A nomination not only celebrates the finished project, but all those involved from designers to the specialist craftsmen whose collaboration delivers high standards of finish and innovation. An award winner gains increased industry profile and recognition in a wider setting.
The awards were given to projects in that deliver a high standard of design and craftsmanship in their construction and finishes, meet the needs of their users and contribute to the public enjoyment of places, and demonstrate that they have taken account of the wider environmental implications, including minimising any impact on climate change from their construction and use.
There were four categories – houses and housing, non-residential, conservation and community - and a special new award for Sustainability has been introduced for DCA 2023 for the project selected from all categories which demonstrates the highest standard of environmental design.
SEE The DCA23 Awards Ceremony Presentation SLIDE SHOW
HOUSES AND HOUSING
Projects recognised in the house and housing category were:
- Esdelle Street, Norwich – a new house in the City’s conservation area designed by Nicholas Vanburgh Ltd and built by Blue Door Development Company Ltd.
- Newmarket Road, Norwich - the renovation and extension of a Victorian property designed and built by Grafted.
- Red House, Stanhoe – a self-built contemporary house in a rural setting designed by Robin Bertram Architect.
Commendations were given to:
- Croft House, Wells-next-the-Sea - the retrofit, renovation and extension of a period dwelling designed by Liv Architect Ltd and built by Grocott & Murfit.
- St James Quay-Phase 1, Norwich - A new urban community of apartments in the central Norwich riverside area designed by Feilden + Mawson LLP and built by Hill Partnerships Ltd.
NON-RESIDENTIAL
Projects recognised in the non-residential category were:
- The Digi-Tech Factory, Norwich – a striking four-storey building housing the latest equipment and technology to deliver the most up to date learning experience for digital students at City College Norwich, designed by Coffy Architects and built by R G Carter Ltd.
- Duke Street Riverside, Norwich – a mixed use development combining teaching spaces and student accommodations designed by Hudson Architects and built by R G Carter.
A commendation was given to:
- Broadland Gate Police Station, Norwich – a new police station and associated infrastructure designed by Chaplin Farrant Limited and built by R G Carter.
COMMUNITY
The Community Award recognises and celebrates successful community projects which have engaged local people throughout the decision-making, design and building processes.
Projects recognised in the community category were:
- East Anglian Air Ambulance New Headquarters, Norwich – a new building bringing all operations under one roof designed by Feilden + Mawson and built by P J Spillings.
- Elm House, Thetford - the reconfiguration and upgrading of a 1960’s building to provide emergency accommodation, designed by Daniel Connal Partnership and built by Cocksedge.
A Commendation was given to:
- Big C, Norwich - a new community centre offering cancer support to patients and families in Norfolk designed by Purcell and built by Draper & Nichols.
CONSERVATION
Projects recognised in the conservation category were:
- Mutton’s Mill, Halvergate – the restoration to working condition of a Grade II* listed drainage mill, designed by EAGM and built by Broad Authority and City College, Norwich.
- Oxburgh Hall – conservation repairs and structural interventions designed by Purcell and built by Messenger Construction Ltd.
Commendations were given to;
- Drayton Lodge, Norwich – conservation repairs to an early 15th century ruined manor, designed by Ruth Brennan Architecture and built by S&L Restoration.
- Shotesham Estates – conversion of stable and outhouse to a wedding venue, designed by A Squared Architects and built by Draper & Nicols Ltd.
- Keeling Hall, Foulsham – refurbishment of 18th century barn bringing it back into proper use, designed by Nicolas Vanburgh Ltd and built by Draper & Nichols Ltd.
- Hall Farmhouse, Ditchingham - conversion of two flats to a single home designed by Architide Ltd and built by TM Brown Ltd (Reeve Division)
The SIR BERNARD FEILDEN AWARD for Conservation was awarded in recognition of excellence in alterations and restoration of a historic building in Norwich.
This year the award was presented to Drayton Lodge, Norwich for conservation repairs to an early 15th century ruined manor which has been on the Building at Risk register for many years. Designed by Ruth Brenna Architecture with work carried out by S&L Restoration.
SUSTAINABILITY
The award for sustainability was given to Mutton’s Mill, Halvergate. The newly restored mill is one of the main focus points on the new Halvergate Mills trail, which has been redeveloped to encourage more people out into the drained landscapes of the Broads throughout the year for improved physical health and wellbeing. As well as incorporating wildlife enhancements for bats and owls, consideration was also been given to the longevity of the mill in the face of the changing climate, including the installation of a lightening protection system as mill sales - the tallest feature in the landscape - have historically been prone to lightening strikes. The project also provided training and apprenticeship opportunities for key heritage skills that would otherwise be lost.
STUDENT AWARD
In 2021 a Student Award category was created for the best design work by a student studying architecture at NUA. Bookhive, an independent bookshop in Norwich and RIBA Norfolk sponsored the Student Award this year, which encourages architectural students at the beginning of their journey to compete with the best in their class and develop their skills and own style. This years Student Award was awarded to: Isaac Zipfel for their Norfolk Wildlife Trust Headquarters Proposition.
Charities
The DCA23 is donating to two charities -The Matthew Project which empowers young people and adults to overcome drugs, alcohol and mental health issues so they can live their lives more fully, and the Architects’ Benevolent Society which supports the architectural community and their families in times of need.
SEE The DCA23 Awards Ceremony Presentation SLIDE SHOW
Find out more on the DCA website: designandcraftsmanshipawards.org.uk
The Design and Craftsmanship Awards 2021
The award ceremony for the 2021 Design and Craftsmanship Awards took place on 14th October 2021 at The Assembly House.
The 2021 awards were judged across the following categories – Housing, Non-Residential, Conservation and Community as well as an inaugural Student award. The Sir Bernard Feilden Award was presented by The Norwich Society in recognition of excellence in alterations and restoration of a historic building in Norwich. Details of Award and Commendation recipients can be viewed in both list and narrated video form as below:
DCA 2021 AWARD AND COMMENDATION RECIPIENTS LIST
DCA 2021 AWARD AND COMMENDATION RECIPIENTS VIDEO
The Design and Craftsmanship Awards 2019
In 2019, the Norwich Society joined with the Norfolk Association of Architects, which had its own Norfolk-wide awards scheme, to create the Design and Craftsmanship Awards. This combined scheme provided the opportunity to increase awareness of good contemporary design, and to encourage greater participation. Eligible projects include any structure, whether new, re-used, retro-fitted or refurbished, converted or conserved; or any significant public realm project such as streetscape works, or new or restored parks. The judging criteria particularly look at aspects of design, craftsmanship, sustainability and community.
The Norwich Society Design Awards 2003 - 2017
Between 2003 - 2017, The Norwich Society ran biennial design awards to encourage and highlight the best of contemporary architecture and the built environment within the City boundary. The aim of the Society was to stimulate interest, promote critical assessment and publicise the variety of buildings that make up the city scene. To generate interest in the awards, nominations were requested from the Society’s membership, architects, contractors and their clients, thus involving the widest possible participation.
Find out about the awards from 2003 - 2017: Norwich Society Design Awards: an Illustrated History.