Gowercroft Joinery has been named winner of the first-ever British Woodworking Federation Heritage Project of the Year Award in a new category launched this year by the organisation.

The timber window and door manufacturer scooped the top prize for the part its range of Winston sliding sash windows played in the complex retrofit of Mews House, a low energy Victorian listed mews property in West London – a project which has already won a raft of architectural awards.

Gowercroft worked with Prewett Bizley architects to provide replacement sash windows that would maintain the integrity of the historic facades while helping to reduce the carbon footprint of this draughty nineteenth century property to better than that of a newly build home with an 82% measured reduction in the overall energy consumption.

Made from sustainable Accoya timber, the Winston sliding sash windows combined traditional joinery features with vacuum glazing to match the appearance of the single glazed windows, whilst delivering whole window U values of 1,5 W/m2K (since improved to 1.2 W/m2K).

 , Managing director Andrew Madge said: “This landmark retrofit demonstrates how sustainability can be achievable within conservation projects, and the important role that vacuum glazed timber windows can play in bringing their energy efficiency levels up to modern standards.”

Helen Hewitt, chief executive of the BWF added: “Heritage projects require specialist skills and knowledge, and this award celebrates the achievements in this unique sector. With the launch of this award taking place this year, we had a significant number of entries, and it really was a close call – the quality of entries was outstanding. Gowercroft Joinery were selected as the first winners for the BWF Heritage Project of the Year Award for demonstrating how listed properties can clearly benefit from the latest technology and be more sustainable – a showcase of craftmanship and expertise.”

Picture, l to r: Paul Scott, Divisional Manger, Remmers UK – Award Sponsor; Harry Dixon, Finance Director, Gowercroft; Andrew Madge, Managing Director, Gowercroft; Darren Young, Production Director, Gowercroft; Joe Grimley, Sales Director, Gowercroft; David Oldfield, Managing Director Designate of Intelligent Door Solutions and BWF President.

www.gowercroft.co.uk

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