The SAHGB-IHBC Heritage Research Award for 2024 was announced and presented at the SAHGB Annual Awards ceremony – which took place at the church of St Anne’s, Limehouse, one of Nicholas Hawksmoor’s six London churches – as joint winners’ research ranged from the palace to the market cross.
IHBC Director Seán O’Reilly said: ‘Our awards partnership with the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain (SAHGB) is a critical thread in the suite of IHBC awards celebrating the work, interests and aspirations of our members. Its celebrates architectural and historical research linked to development issues, itself the starting point to inform and shape the best conservation outcomes in development processes.’
‘On behalf of the IHBC’s nominated judge for 2024, Matthew Saunders MBE IHBC, I’m delighted to congratulate the twin-winners for this year.’
‘Our own support for this award sits within a wider programme underpinned by our CREATIVE Conservation Fund. This Fund is the IHBC’s own dedicated charity reserve supporting conservation. Anyone wanting to help conservation can contribute confidently: from tax efficient donations to bequests, and whether for general heritage support or for specific areas of personal interest. What better way to look ahead for 2025!’
The SAHGB writes:
The SAHGB-IHBC Heritage Research Award recognises and celebrates the quality of architectural-historical research produced by colleagues in heritage and conservation practice, as private consultants and in non-departmental public bodies.
Judges: Kathryn A Morrison FSA; Henry Russell OBE IHBC; Matthew Saunders MBE IHBC; Sally Stradling IHBC FSA
Chair: John Cattell FSA IHBC
[Joint] Winners:
Tim Howson, Market Cross, 25 Town Street, Thaxted, Essex (Heritage Asset Assessment, 2024)
AND
Dr Christian Clarkson and Nicholas Uglow, Dalkeith Palace, Midlothian (entry draws on a recent Conservation Management Plan for the site)
Citation: John Cattell, on behalf of the judging panel, comments: ‘The panel recommends that this year’s award be made to Tim Howson IHBC for his exemplary analysis of the fabric of an important timber-framed building dating from the mid-14th century in Thaxted. Excellent use is made of detailed drawings, images and a clear and concise narrative to explain the complex development and phasing of the building. Its regional significance is clearly articulated, and the research is presented in a logical and scholarly manner. Additionally, the research sheds new light on the significant artistic contributions to the building’s interior by the Hunter family in the 20th century. The report will inform proposed alterations to the building.’
‘The panel was impressed by Simpson & Brown’s accomplished research into the early 18th-century reconstruction around an earlier core of this important but little-studied Scottish Baroque building. In a highly compelling narrative, the authors draw out the contribution of the owner, Anna, Duchess of Buccleuch, to the rebuilding along with that of her architect, James Smith. The research makes excellent use of a wealth of documentary material in the estate archives and very clear phase plans to show the various changes. It will be indispensable to the client, the Buccleuch Living Heritage Trust, as it looks for a new tenant for the building.’
Other SAHGB awards for 2024 include:
Alice Davis Hitchcock Medallion: The Alice Davis Hitchcock Medallion – awarded since 1959 – is given annually to the author of a literary work that provides an outstanding contribution to the study of architectural history. The work must be by a British author (or authors), or deal with an aspect of the architectural history of the British Isles or the Commonwealth. The award is named after the mother of the American architectural historian Henry Russell-Hitchcock, and the medallion consists of a Wedgwood portrait of James ‘Athenian’ Stuart. It was presented to the SAHGB general meeting in 1959…
Winners:
Robyne Calvert, The Mack: Charles Rennie Mackintosh and the Glasgow School of Art (Yale University Press)
Steven Brindle, Architecture in Britain and Ireland, 1530-1830 (Paul Mellon Centre)
The Colvin Prize: The Colvin Prize is awarded annually to the author or authors of an outstanding work of reference that relates to the field of architectural history, broadly conceived. All modes of publication are eligible, including catalogues, gazetteers, digital databases and online resources. It is named in honour of Sir Howard Colvin, a former president of the Society, and one of the most eminent scholars in architectural history of the twentieth century. The prize was inaugurated in 2017; winners receive a commemorative medal designed by contemporary medallist Abigail Burt.
Winner:
Hamed Khosravi, Do you remember how perfect everything was? The Work of Zoe Zenghelis (AA Publications)
Hawksmoor Essay Medal: To encourage new and unpublished entrants to the field of architectural history, the Society’s Essay Medal (popularly known as ‘the Hawksmoor’) is awarded annually to the author of the best essay submitted in competition.
Winner:
Christopher Cowell, The Height of Health: Sections, Sanatoria, and Settler Colonialism in Northern India, 1815–1842
The Dissertation Prize: This prize celebrates the outstanding work in architectural history being carried out by postgraduate students on taught Master’s-Level courses in UK universities. The prize awards innovative and critical thinking in and around the subject of Architectural History, broadly conceived, which supports the Society’s aim to help create a bigger discipline.
Category 1: For dissertations by students on taught Master’s-level courses related to architectural history and heritage
Winner:
Arielle Lavine, FOREST CHILDREN: How Educations of Indigenous and Settler Children Reinscribe the Colonial Order
Category 2: For dissertations by taught Master’s-level students on accredited professional architecture (MArch) degrees
Winner:
Bianca Zucchelli,The Eel, The Dowry and The Seamstress
See more on and enter the SAHGB-IHBC Research Award HERE
See more on the IHBC’s CREATIVE Conservation Fund
