GLM at the Argyll and Bute Design Awards
“This building was impossible to judge…” these were the words of Councillor Amanda Hampsey at the Argyll and Bute Design Awards. For Neil and Lilli, there was a slight suspicion that they had recognised which building she was referring to. It was St. Comghan’s Chapel.
Councillor Hampsey announced that St. Comghan’s Chapel had been awarded a certificate of commendation at the2023 Argyll and Bute Design Awards – in recognition of its aesthetic design and high-quality craftsmanship. The judging panel, which was composed of the planning team and local councillors were highly impressed with the traditional construction of the chapel, and the use of local and natural materials. The Chapel, which is one-of-a-kind and unapologetically unique, was completed in 2019 for a private client on the shores of Loch Melfort. The Chapel was designed by Neil McAllister in a Romanesque nature, with Celtic patterns and knot work which is seen in the excellent stone carvings. Neil worked closely with Ardle Construction to bring the building to life.
The Chapel was the only non-residential project within the small scale Aesthetic Design category, and the judges were impressed by the low embodied energy of the building, which is an increasing focus in the current climate emergency. The robust, durable nature of the natural materials used in the construction of the chapel also mean that the building will exist for generations to come. The story of the design and construction of the chapel are merely just the beginning of the history of this breaktaking space which sits unassumingly, waiting to humble those who visit.
The Design Awards returned in 2023 after an eight year hiatus, and as such, there was an array of talented entries from Iona Abbey to Iona Village Hall, to the redevelopment of a derelict farm steading on Bute into affordable housing. GLM would like to congratulate all of the winners and shortlisted finalists, in recognition of their talent, design and innovation. Neil McAllister project architect said “It was great to see the quality of design across Argyll & Bute in a wide variety of scales and styles. Particular congratulations to John Patience for Taigh An Ailtire on Tiree.”
More information on the awards can be found at: https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/news/2023/jun/argyll-and-bute-design-award-winners-announced