McAndrew Martin flushed with success at awards

ARCHITECTS WORLD: Daryn Brewer of Brewers (left) and McAndrew Martin director of architecture James Bengree at the awards

ARCHITECTS WORLD: Daryn Brewer of Brewers (left) and McAndrew Martin director of architecture James Bengree at the awards

An innovative project to convert a disused toilet block into new offices has scooped honours at design awards in Portsmouth.

The Old Loos were designed by multi-disciplinary firm McAndrew Martin as a new headquarters for Brewers Sales and Lettings on its relocation in Portsmouth.

Judges named the two-storey development as among the best buildings in Portsmouth when they awarded it a commendation in the Best Re-Use category at the Portsmouth Society’s Design Awards.

The former conveniences in Lower Drayton Lane shared the limelight with such landmark projects as the LandRover BAR Building in Old Portsmouth and the Boathouse 4 project for the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust.

AT YOUR CONVENIENCE: Before and after shots of the Old Loos

AT YOUR CONVENIENCE: Before and after shots of the Old Loos

McAndrew Martin director of architecture James Bengree, who designed the Old Loos, said: “When you consider the competition we were up against, it was an amazing achievement.

“This recognition shows the value of high quality, innovative schemes to the urban environment, community and local economy.

“At McAndrew Martin we were pleased to provide Brewers with architecture as one of our six multi-disciplinary services.

“These allow us to deliver bespoke solutions for individual client requirements as well as a seamless multi-disciplinary service for any project from beginning to end.”

At Your Convenience

Brewers managing director Daryn Brewer added:  “The Old Loos have already proved a great success for us and our clients.

“It is great that the Portsmouth Society has also recognised our regeneration of a disused building with a high quality scheme and its positive impact on the local community and urban environment.

“We’re delighted with the commendation and our great thanks go to all of the judges.”

Architectural design is one of 35-strong McAndrew Martin’s multi-disciplinary services. The others are building surveying, project management and contract administration, mechanical and electrical engineering, structural engineering, architecture and general practice.

Brewers Sales and Lettings was founded in 2004. It is a family run independent property specialist which manages more than 140 residential and commercial properties.

Its Old Loos have an ‘industrial retro’ theme.

The Best Re-Use category at the Design Awards was won by the Boathouse 4 project, reimagined by architect Michal Cohen of Walters & Cohen for the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust to house its small boat collection on a new mezzanine above workshop space for the International Boatbuilding Training College.

The project is also in line for a Civic Trust award and a World Architecture Festival (WAF) award.

The Parade Tearooms in Western Parade were also commended in the Best Re-Use category.

The Winner of the Best New Building Award was the Land Rover BAR Building in Old Portsmouth.

The Portsmouth Society is a voluntary group which aims to preserving the best of the city’s environment and to encourage well designed new buildings and amenities.

Contact account director James Tourgout on 07827 806400 and james.tourgout@deepsouthmedia.co.uk for more details.