Architype's Upper Twyford Barn sustainable building in Hereford praised for being elegant and durable

A new office designed by architect Architype was awarded an RIBA sustainability award on Saturday. The Upper Twyford Barn in south Herefordshire is the renovation of a derelict barn complex owned by the Duchy of Cornwall into a new office for Architype and was praised by judges as demonstrating "elegantly and durably the principles of sustainable architecture".

The scheme beat off a shortlist that included: the RSPB Environment & Education Centre, Purfleet, Essex by van Heyningen and Haward Architects; the Environmental Research Institute, Cork by Bucholz McEvoy Architects; and Cork City Council, New Civic Offices, Cork by ABK Architects.

Architype described the design of the scheme as "contemporary yet responds to the rural location of the site, and has been developed closely with the Duchy’s architectural advisors".

  • Sustainable features of the scheme include:
  • All new timber sourced from Duchy woodlands
  • Woodchip boiler heating
  • Ecological paints and finishes
  • Low flush WCs and waterless urinals
  • Reed beds to treat waste

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