27-Re-Format Architecture, planning and development News 070708

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Re-Format wins Housing Design Award : Old Gosport Railway Station, Hampshire

Alton based architecture firm Format Milton Architects (now rebranded as Re-Format) has won a Housing Design Award, one of the country's most prestigious awards for architecture. The practice's innovative designs to turn the derelict buildings of the old Gosport Railway Station, Hampshire, for developer Guinness Hermitage to create a mix of houses, maisonettes and apartments scooped the firm a top award in the Projects category.

Founding partner of Re-Format, Stephen Lampard, commented today. "Everyone in the company is really excited about this award. We are passionate about our work, and are committed to designing houses that people will enjoy living in. Our work has been gaining increasing recognition and to win the Housing Design Award for the second time in three years is really exciting. Once built, the new homes at Gosport Station are going to be a great place to live. Clearly the judges can see the potential for the station as well."

The award comes at a time when the housing industry is facing tough challenges caused by the current financial situation. "These Awards prove that good design need not be expensive. They are a real boost to the housing industry," said Lampard.

The former Gosport Railway Station lies on a peninsula on the western side of Portsmouth Harbour and is a prominent local landmark close to the town centre.

Designed by Sir William Tite, the station was badly damaged during WWII although the grand Tuscan columns built of Portland stone which form the colonnade of the passenger terminal still remain.

The site was acquired by Hermitage Housing Association (HHA) in December 2007, from Hampshire County Council, whose brief was to restore the existing buildings, maximise the commercial element of the site and provide significant numbers of high quality affordable homes.

The revival of this much loved but derelict structure will re-link and instigate a renewed centre around the Spring Garden Lane area of Gosport.

Re-Format's design concept unifies the platform ruins and entablatures to create a complete enclosure around a central landscaped courtyard, with contemporary elements inserted in a way that will maintain the character of the original station with a new mix of uses. The project is arranged around
three landscape types and three car park courts with their own cycle and bin storage.

The plans include a mixture of 35 residential units made up of apartments, houses and maisonettes for sale, rent and shared ownership as well as three work units and an office for community use, responding to the demand for affordable housing in the area and HHA's commitment to bringing communities together.

The project demonstrates an effective re-use of a dilapidated structure which will be well insulated and constructed from locally sourced and sustainable materials. Much needed affordable housing and community facilities will be created in an area where regeneration is high on the agenda whilst still preserving an important part of a town's distinguished history.

Email: stephen.lampard@re-format.co.uk