Mansers Antiques
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CLIENT Mansers Antiques
LOCATION Coleham Head, Shrewsbury, SY3 7BJ
CONSTRUCTION VALUE:
Confidential -
Civic Trust Award 2005 - Winner
RIBA North West Regional Award 2004 - Shortlisted
The Brick Awards Best Commercial Building 2003 – Winner
Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council Design & Heritage Award 2003 - Winner
A landmark showroom that contrasts old and new
Mansers Antiques required a new showroom with an aspiration to create a contemporary space that contrasted with the historical objects on show.
The building, which addresses a major approach road to the east of Shrewsbury town centre, takes the form of a curved wedge that responds to the bend of the road while the asymmetrical butterfly roof creates a suitably striking silhouette for its gateway location.
Situated within the floodplain of the nearby River Severn, the building has been designed so that the lower level of the showroom is raised above the surrounding street-level.
The materiality of the building is a combination of slate blue engineering bricks with fibrocem render and large areas of glazing, providing deep views into the showroom and offering stunning views across the Severn and the historic town centre.
"The roof fall and levels change to create an exciting variety of internal spaces, which suit the different spatial needs of the showroom. The judges felt that in all respects the scheme was well detailed and constructed resulting in a sound and purposeful design. Overall, the showroom presents an engaging and positive new building, adding coherence to an area where road was had undermined the inherent fabric of the town".
Civic Trust 2005