Amento scoops the RIBA Suffolk Craftsmanship Award, 2024, for New Build!

A contemporary, single-storey, open plan house, Amento, designed by award winning Architect, James Gorst, and constructed by local main contractor, Gipping Construction, was announced as the winner of the New Build category of the RIBA Suffolk Craftsmanship Awards, 2024, which took place at Trinity Park on Tuesday evening.

Gipping staff including Site Manager, Shaun Whiting, Stan Pryke, Carpenter, Contracts Manager, Steve Offord, and Joint Managing Directors, Paul Orriss and Andy Laflin were joined by Architects, James Gorst, David Roy and the owners of Amento, Liz Goodrich and Peter Mavroghenis.

The award was presented by Aoife O’Gorman, Director at BCR Infinity Architects and Chair of RIBA Suffolk who said, ‘Well done! It is a fantastic project, which fulfils its brief entirely. An absolute pleasure to look around it.’

Andy Laflin, Joint Managing Director of Gipping Construction said, ‘We are absolutely delighted that the outstanding levels of craftsmanship showcased by Amento have been recognised by RIBA Suffolk and we are so proud of the team who bought this project to life. It is especially pleasing to know how happy the owners are and that it works well for them on a practical level, as well as being an example of great architecture and construction’.

The contemporary, single-storey, open plan house is designed around a fractured, orthoganol geometry. A transverse East-West wall, abutted by two non-aligned perpendicular walls running north south form the core of this architecturally dramatic home.

The facing brick faced diaphragm walls divide the house into four areas – the private realm of the master bedroom, bathroom and study; the social realm of dining and entertaining; the accommodation quarter for guests and finally the fourth quarter for the garage and utilities.

Each of the four Siberian Larch timber framed modules has its own relationship to the exterior landscape, defined by the oversailing parapet walls. Similarly, the garden, designed by Charlie Hawkes, RHS Gold Medal winner, exploits this particularity with varying landscaping strategies from one quarter to another.

The roof sheets, gutters and pipe work are all constructed from Zinc and a gravity rainwater drainage system uses chain downpipes.

Internally, the house features Douglas Fir plywood panelling throughout. Some panels are removable with hidden fixings, for example, above the windows to conceal electric blinds. There is open rafter detailing throughout with a sarking layer of Douglas Fir plywood.

Polished concrete floors by Lazenby with a rich walnut satin finish contrast beautifully with the warm tones of the Douglas Fir panelling.

LED lighting is cleverly used throughout. The wood burner in the living area sits on a marble shelf which seamlessly adjoins wooden cabinetry running the width of the room with inset LEDs. An imposing marble backdrop to the wood burner sits flush to the Douglas fir panelling.

In the kitchen, bespoke cabinetry by Buhr was constructed using Douglas Fir contrasting with white stone worktops. The facing brick diaphragm walls add texture and contrast.

The master bedroom features bespoke cabinetry by Buhr, again using Douglas Fir with a Cedar lining.

Imported Japanese tiles are used to great effect with white sanitary ware in the family WC.

Sliding pocket doors are fitted between the hall and study, the master bedroom and living area through to the other bedrooms.

Just a few of many stunning features of this outstanding home which showcases the highest levels of craftsmanship.