An architectural designer based in Oswestry has won an award for his “innovative design” of a new house in the town.
Craig Marston, of Ke-design, was presented with a commendation award by Oswestry and District Civic Society for his work designing a three-bedroom detached house in Cherry Tree Drive.
It was the first new-build house to be designed by Ke-design in Oswestry, and it was the only new property to be commended at the Civic Society’s Building Awards ceremony in October.
Mr Marston said he was delighted to receive the award and hoped it would encourage others to “be more imaginative” when designing new houses.
He said: “It’s great to receive praise from the Civic Society as they don’t give many awards, indeed the society didn’t actually present any awards for buildings last year because they didn’t feel there was anything of significant quality.
“We have had nothing but praise for the house and it shows that if designers are willing to consider housing in the modern context, people do appreciate it.
“We held an open house back in May when we had about 100 people through the door who all praised the contemporary look and the simple open plan layout, asking why weren’t more new houses designed like this.
“That feedback coupled with the support of the Civic society shows that people want something more eye-catching than the standard fare offered by the speculative house builder.”
Mr Marston said the design was a balance between the modern and traditional, which had struck a chord with people.
He added: “The house was designed to demonstrate that a simple three-bed house doesn’t have to be ordinary, that good design isn’t unaffordable and doesn’t need to be extravagant.
“With the response we have had it is a message to other developers and the planners that there is space and a market for innovation and style.
“It was nice to be given the opportunity by the client, DGP builders, who developed the site to come up with an imaginative solution.”
Chairman of the Civic Society, Saffron Rainey, said the award judges had been impressed with the quality of the building.
He said: “The society thought the design was innovative and of good quality, sitting comfortably in its established environment.
“It is a well considered, modern designed house on a site in an existing housing estate, that respects the scale, rooflines and the window proportions of its neighbours.”
For more information about Ke-design, visit the website at www.ke-design.co.uk
Craig Marston and David Pallatina, of DGP builders.
