CONSERVATION AWARD WINNERS 2024

The presentation of the 48th Isle of Wight Society Conservation Awards and the 13th RIBA (IW) New Build Awards took place in June 2025 at Northwood House.

The Lord Lieutenant, Mrs Susie Sheldon, made the presentations, aided by the Chair persons of IWS, David Burdett, and of RIBA (IW), Leah Mew.

The Main Isle of Wight Society Conservation Award went to The Old Tin Hut, Rookley.

Situated on a prominent site entering Rookley from Newport, this old “Tin Tabernacle” Boulton and Paul “flat pack” is an iconic tardis. Many of you will have watched the work progress with interest over the last year or so.
This unpretentious scheme, converting and virtually rebuilding the 19th Century chapel into an amazingly spacious two storey home, has been carried out with love and integrity.

It exemplifies what can be achieved with imagination in reusing a dilapidated building to achieve a high environmental standard.

Stephen Sheath and Julie Whitewood are the owners, and have done most of the work. Richard Mazilius MCIAT was the designer and John Sutton the structural engineer.

WINNER OF THE 2024 CONSERVATION AWARDS 'The Tin Hut' Rookley

Five Certificates of Merit were given.

84-86 Trinity Road Ventnor

The various conservation and remedial works carried out to these Victorian estate workers cottages have been achieved to a high standard.
The entire walls of the building have been repaired and repointed with much concentrated effort by Liam Verstraeten of Limetek.
The leadwork and trellis of the porch have been repaired and the plastic drain pipes replaced with conservation -quality goods. The delightful building has been totally revitalised and conserved.

Certificate of Merit, 84-86 Trinity Road Ventnor

Spinlock, the Old Police station, Cowes

This prominent building, created for a specific use, has been revitalised as a modern business concern, Spinlock, including reuse of some original internal features.
At the rear and in the roof additional space has been sensitively created and the standards of design and workmanship are excellent. This Victorian landmark in the town has been preserved with a new use.
Modh design were the architects and the builders were Dave Bunday & Sons.

Certificate of Merit, Spinlock, Cowes

Rowlands Farmhouse, Ashey

The substantial restoration with excellent conservation work to the original farmhouse and outbuildings creates a very comfortable dwelling.
The replacement extension cascades down the natural contours echoing the numerous previous changes to the building. The reuse of the farm pond into a swim pond delightfully acknowledges the past and present function.

Architect Leah Mew RIBA, Builders Coast Builders Ltd

Certificate of Merit, Rowlands Farmhouse, Ashey

Buccaneers, Fairey Road, Seaview

The two storey side extension and remodelling of this semi-detached house was completed excellently. Both RIBA and IWS judges used the words “imaginative” and “immaculate” in their descriptions of the work and use of materials.
The building represents a good example of what can be done with the Island’s extensive stock of Victorian and Edwardian semi-detached homes.

Architects : Mattinson Associates Ltd and the Builder was Nick Challon

Certificate of Merit, Buccaneers, Seaview

The Goose bookshop, St Helen’s

The understated redesign of this antiquarian bookshop now again reflects the neighbouring shop’s Victorian windows and style.  Previous changes had lost the original design features.

Excellent standards of joinery and brickwork show the care taken by the owners, architect and builders. The interior has also been enhanced, creating a dignified calm for improved browsing. The architect was Tim Smith of Radley House Partnership.

Certificate of Merit, The Goose bookshop

Sandown & Lake Bench received the Sybil Bodycomb
Small project Award.

The rescue of the bench remains from an Island Road’s skip has shown just what Sandown volunteers can achieve. Their continued attention to these historic artefacts is so important to the community.
Thanks should go to all the team of enthusiasts. Once these benches lined the pier, but this is the last to remain in the town.

Sybil Bodycomb Small project Award.

RIBA overall winner was Wacklands House, which had an extension added between the house and the walled garden.  The architect was Lindsey Mattinason and the Contractor was Guy Mattinson.

RIBA WINNER, Wacklands House

The RIBA runner up was Headon Reach, Totland. This development is of seven new houses, of similar plan, with variations according to the buyers’ wishes.  Builders : JR Buckett & Sons, Architects : modh Design

Headon Reach

Rowlands Farmhouse received the Martin Pearce Innovation Award – where the old farm pond had been converted to a swim pond.

Rowlands Farm

The RIBA Small Project Award went to Buccaneers at Seaview. Modh Design Ltd provided the runner up, Garden Cottage, Hulverstone. The extensions facilitate wheel chair living. J Corbett were the Builders.

Garden Cottage