Grantley Hall and Adare Manor claim top prizes in 40th anniversary AI Specification Awards

The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI), in conjunction with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), has presented the 2022 Architectural Ironmongery (AI) Specification Awards in a glittering ceremony at London’s Leadenhall Building.

Grade II listed luxury hotel and spa Grantley Hall in Ripon, North Yorkshire, secured the top Winner of Winners Award (sponsored by GEZE) for architects Bowman Riley and architectural ironmongers Em-B Solutions Ltd.

Grantley Hall opened in 2019 as a high-end hotel and spa following decades of neglect. The project required an extraordinary level of care to ensure the seamless integration of new and old ironmongery. The new products were designed to perform to the latest standards and operate with an access control system, while integrating with the antique brass and stainless steel furniture already in situ.

To mark the 40^th anniversary of the AI Specification Awards, a special Jubilee Award (sponsored by Eurobond Doors) was also presented.

From a shortlist of past award winners, together showcasing the best of architectural specification around the world and across the decades, Adare Manor in Country Limerick, Ireland, was presented with the Jubilee Award.

When this 18^th-century hotel and golf resort was renovated and extended, the hotel required an architectural ironmongery specification for around 1,500 doors across its guestrooms and facilities, maintaining the gothic aesthetic. Led by Reardon Smith Architects, with the support of Richmond International, the team appointed two ironmongery companies to the task, Harbrine Limited and Mooney Architectural.  Between them, they created a suite of bespoke ironmongery, including products from Sun Valley Bronze of Idaho, USA.

Presenting the awards, Mario Del-Signore, GAI President, commented: “The AI Specification Awards show architectural ironmongery at its beautiful best. Rewarding the whole specification team, the awards highlight the importance of those effective partnerships.

“Entries are judged on the effectiveness of the architectural ironmongery specification and how it enhances the security, accessibility and safety of the building, whilst also adding to its aesthetics, functionality and lifespan.”

The winners and highly commended projects announced at the event were:

Commercial & Hospitality Award (sponsored by ASSA Abloy)

Winner
Grantley Hall, Ripon – Bowman Riley and Em-B Solutions Ltd

Residential Award (sponsored by Frank Allart)

Winner

Regent’s Crescent, London – PDP London and John Planck Ltd

Highly Commended

Lancer Square, London Squire + Partners and Franchi plc

Public Health & Education Award (sponsored by Forza Doors & Frames)

Winner
Cambridge Mosque – Marks Barfield Architects and d line Eisenware Limited

Highly commended
142 – 146 Harley Street, London – Sonnermann Toon Architects and 3v Architectural Hardware Lt

International Award (sponsored by dormakaba)

Winner
Xiqu Centre, Hong Kong – Ronald Lu & Partners and Key Technologies Limited

Product Design & Innovation (Mechanical) Award (sponsored by Simonswerk)

Winner
Complete Sealing System for Sliding Doors – Norseal Ltd

Highly commended
Fat Collection – d line

Product Design & Innovation (Electronic) Awards (sponsored by ADSA)

Winner
Virtual Engineer – Strand Technologies Limited

Winner of Winners (sponsored by GEZE)

Grantley Hall, Ripon – Bowman Riley and Em-B Solutions Ltd

Jubilee Award (sponsored by Eurobond Doors)

Winner
Adare Manor Hotel, Co. Limerick Ireland – Reardon Smith Architects/Richmond International and Harbrine Limited/Mooney Architectural

Highly commended
Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh – Page Park and Allgood Plc

Douglas Masterson, GAI Technical Manager, commented: “Adare Manor and Grantley Hall are both truly fantastic projects, and worthy winners as we celebrate the 40^th anniversary of these awards.

“The work, craftsmanship and ingenuity on display across all the categories highlight that, despite a challenging couple of years, this industry is still finding new ways to deliver exciting and interesting solutions across many sectors.”

For more details on all the winning entries, visit www.gai.org.uk/specificationawards.

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