An
18^th century manor house in Ireland has been announced as the global
‘winner of winners’ in the biennial Architectural Ironmongery Specification
Awards, organised by the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI) in association with the Royal
Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

The
Adare
Manor Hotel and Golf Resort
is a luxury hotel in Limerick that was recently renovated and extended to add
more guestrooms and facilities including a ballroom, spa, golf club and
function suite.

The
renovation project was led by Richmond International, an interior design consultancy that
specialises in hospitality buildings.

The
team enlisted the help of two architectural ironmongers; Carrson
International, a
division of Harbrine Limited, and Mooney
Architectural. The
brief included a hardware specification for approximately 1,500 doors that was
in keeping with the gothic style of Adare Manor.

The
hotel boasts a range of bespoke ironmongery including products from Sun Valley
Bronze of Idaho, USA for the guestrooms and public areas. Stainless steel has
also been used for the inside of bathrooms and the back of house areas.

Judges noted that the bronze finish of the ironmongery was
continued throughout the hotel, highlighting the attention to detail and adding
to the overall quality of the project.

Douglas Masterson, technical manager at the GAI, and assessor of
the Specification Awards projects, said:

“Every piece of hardware had been carefully considered and was
perfectly in keeping with the gothic nature of the original manor house. The
bespoke ironmongery was particularly impressive. Every piece of hardware
mirrored the smaller details of the hotel; from wardrobe fittings and light
switches, even down to the badges of the hotel’s staff. It’s a truly striking
building.”

The
original Adare Manor was built in 1832 and is a rare example of a Calendar
House. It has 365 leaded windows, 52 ornate chimneys, seven stone pillars and
four towers to mark the number of days, weeks, and seasons in a year.

The
project beat 19 other shortlisted projects to scoop the top prize in these
awards which reward excellence in the specification of architectural
ironmongery. Projects are nominated for one of four categories: commercial and
hospitality; public health and education; residential; and international. There
is also a fifth award focussing on new product design and innovation.

Adare
Manor also won first place in the commercial and hospitality category. In
second place was the Royal Academy of Arts, London by dline
Eisenware and David
Chipperfield Architects.
Third place was the Royal Opera House by John
Planck Ltd and Stanton
Williams Architects.
The St Andrew’s House project in London, also by John Planck Ltd together with DLA
Architecture received
highly commended.

The
other category award winners were:

Public
health and education:

• First place: The Engine Sheds –
  Allgood
  plc and Historic Environment Scotland
• Second place: Maggie’s Centre,
  Oldham – Allgood
  plc and dRMM.
• Third place: Sense Touchbase
  Pears – d
  line Eisenware and Glenn
  Howells Architects
• Commended: St Helena Campus,
  University of Derby – Em-B
  Solutions and Frank
  Shaw Associates

Residential:

• First place: Centre Point,
  London – Allgood
  plc and Conran
  & Partners
• Second place: Caring Wood
  House, Kent – John
  Planck Ltd and Macdonald
  Wright Architects
• Third place: 10 Trinity Square
  – izé
  and Aukett
  Swanke
• Commended: Battersea Power
  Station Phase 1 – Circus West – Laidlaw Ltd
  and SimpsonHaugh

International:

• First place: Al Bait Hotel, The Silver Shore Trading Co L.L.C
  and GAJ
• Second place: Four Seasons
  Hotel, Kuwait, Allgood
  plc and Yabu
  Pushelberg

Product
design and innovation:

• First place: Tectus Glass, Simonswerk
• Joint second place: Guardian, Exidor
  and Smart Entrance, Hafele UK
• Third place: DC700G-FT Security
  Cam-Motion Door Closer, ASSA
  ABLOY

David Stacey, president of the GAI,
said:

“The Architectural Ironmongery
Specification Awards are unique because they reward the whole specification
team, highlighting the importance of that professional partnership between
architect and architectural ironmonger.

“These awards underline the importance
of using qualified and experienced architectural ironmongers as the driving
force in creating ironmongery schedules that are not only technically correct
but also fundamentally affect the way a building looks and performs. Those
ironmongery schedules help architects and clients minimise risk and achieve
their aesthetic vision.”

The
GAI is the body that represents the interests of the architectural ironmongery
industry in the UK and internationally. Its qualifications, education and CPD
programmes are widely respected throughout the world. Its technical information
service is the only specialist service of its kind, providing GAI members with
comprehensive advice. 

The
awards were sponsored by GEZE UK, Forza
Doors, ASSA
ABLOY, Harbrine, Frank
Allart, dormakaba and Allgood
plc.

www.gai.org.uk