On Tuesday 4th of November 2014, the 37th annual ceremony for the Oxford Preservation Trust Awards took place at the grander venue of the Garden Quadrangle, St John’s College in Oxford.
This year, the awards were a great success for CBG who’s projects took away two Awards and an additional two commendations.
The Awards recognise specialists within the heritage sector industry who exceed in working with Oxford’s finest Architecture whilst preserving the sensitive integrity they masquerade. This synthesis of heritage structures and innovative thinking results in unique designs that inspire the building industry each year, providing projects and contestants with local recognition.
Our £2M project at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History won a Medal award. Earlier this year, the Museum opened its doors to visitors once again following a restoration to the internal lighting and its roof. It houses priceless scientific collections of zoological, entomological and geological specimens. The building itself is a spectacular neo-Gothic Grade I listed building. CBG Designed the lighting to the stairways and cloisters, along with the lighting control system and all the cabling . Cables were extremely sensitively placed to not interfere with the fabric of the building, while still providing the power to illuminate the vast interior spaces. The museum now utilises a state-of-the-art DALI lighting control system which enables curators to set the lighting according to compliment events and exhibitions. These controls can be activated using mobile devices making it effortless for staff to magically illuminate the museum at the swipe of a finger.The fusion of the carefully planned service strategy integrated into the existing building fabric was recognized as an award winning reforming preservation of the significant building.
Another award went to our Project at The Oxford University, Queens College Library. The high profile Grade I Listed Library underwent works to help minimize the impact of any plant on the historical building. CBG provided Mechanical and Electrical Services consultancy including sophisticated environment controls and modern services, which improved the conditions for the authentic books, antique furniture, as well as the libraries visitors. The Queen’s College was founded in 1341; the Library is one of the largest in Oxford, with a leading collection of 50,000 volumes. The realization of modern services and recognition of the fragile elements within this building brought out an award winning project outcome for all those involved in the restoration.
An additional two projects were commended, Blenheim Palace and John’s College Dining Hall (known as St Bernard’s Hall).
Our work at the world Heritage site, Blenheim Palace, involved the re-modeling of the East Courtyard and the provision of larger retail space and facilities for visitors, which was also awarded a commendation at ACE Engineering Excellence Awards in London, 2013.
Our work at John’s College Dining Hall involved replacing existing secondary glazing to the seven windows in the St Bernard’s Hall at St John’s College, the repair of the leaded external windows, replacing the Hall’s interior lighting and audio installations and redecoration. With careful planning and close liaison with the project team, the scheme was successfully delivered with appreciation of the architectural integrity of the building.
CBG’s ambition to look beyond traditional M&E Services and integrate sympathetic solutions to heritage buildings has been realised in these special buildings that have brought us home the OPT medals and commendation certificates. We are extremely proud of our heritage dedicated team of experts and their ongoing dedication and commitment to our projects.
Back to News & Knowledge