We find ourselves in the last week of work before the Christmas break and calling an end to another year. This one has been a particular landmark as it has been our fifth year together as a dedicated practice - and I am pleased to say it has been our busiest and most successful year yet. As the team prepares to wind down and head our separate ways for well deserved breaks, I write with a review of our activities across 2022.
Project Work
This time last year 2021 ended with CWa winning appointments for two high profile Feasibility Studies - first at the Natural History Museum in South Kensington and second with the National Trust at The Assembly Rooms in Bath. Both have spent 12 months progressing through early stages, preparation of brief and outline concept design - although with such prestigious institutions we are not able to share in any detail the exciting direction that these projects are taking, but we hope to be able to divulge some more content for these schemes in the new year.
Completion
2022 was a year of site visits, covering the commencement and completion of two projects; Phase 1 of refurbishment and retrofit works at Grade II listed Stanley Arts in South Norwood and the new Visitor Admissions Building at Grade I listed Old Wardour Castle in Wiltshire. Any construction project is a real journey and we have had a great time collaborating with the respective client teams at Stanley and English Heritage - and its great to end the year with finished projects we can all be proud of.
Awards
Outside of the above CWa remained closely involved with the delivery of the Inner Portico at St.Paul’s Cathedral, working in collaboration with Caroe Architecture Ltd who oversaw the construction phase. The team pulled together to complete the contract ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee bank holiday weekend celebrations - during which the Cathedral hosted the Service of Thanksgiving for the Queen’s Reign. Since completing the project has gone on to win a prestigious 2022 Wood Award for the best interior project of the year - which is a real achievement and testimony to the team’s efforts.
Practice culture
2022 has seen the CWa family continue to grow. Our first ever employee (!) Joe F departed the studio in September to return to University and complete his Part II studies at Kingston School of Art. We were delighted to have his position filled by Francesca following her graduation from University of Bath Part I earlier this summer. Joe H has been playing a key role in our site stage projects and consolidating his contractual experience as he progresses through his Part III studies at UWE.
On a personal note March of 2022 saw the arrival of my daughter, and I have ended the year taking 8 weeks of Shared Parental Leave - a fantastic opportunity to bond with our family’s new addition during this formative first year. I would like to thank my colleagues in the studio for their supportive assistance in my taking this precious time off - it hasn’t been easy to step away from a busy studio workload, and I could not have done it without their rock solid backing. Thanks too to our old friend and former colleague Akshara who was able to step in and assist during this period, effortlessly fitting into the rhythm of our small studio and taking a key role in shaping some of our newest projects.
CWa staff and families summer party 2022
2023
Which brings me on to 2023! Our big Feasibility Study projects will soon draw to a close, and we will be working with client teams to support them as they assess options for progressing. We have ended 2022 by winning 2 exciting new appointments; first the repair, refurbishment and reuse of a Grade II listed Tithe Barn (with exciting possibilities for new public uses in an idyllic rural context), and second the internal reordering of a Grade I listed church in Cornwall (supporting the PCC in their hugely important outreach work in a community with many economic challenges). Construction projects will continue to be delivered, with our farmhouse retrofit and extension project in Gloucestershire commencing on site in November, targeting a late summer 2023 completion.
Thank you to all our clients, consultants, contractors, colleagues and peers for making this another energetic year for our young practice. We will see you all in a few weeks time to start it all over again!
Charlie
