Converted toilet block in Drayton wins honours at design awards

AN INNOVATIVE project that saw a disused toilet block converted into offices has scooped honours at design awards.
By The Newsroom
Published 14th Dec 2016, 05:55 BST
Daryn Brewer of Brewers, left, and James Bengree from McAndrew Martin with the awardDaryn Brewer of Brewers, left, and James Bengree from McAndrew Martin with the award
Daryn Brewer of Brewers, left, and James Bengree from McAndrew Martin with the award

The Old Loos at Drayton in Portsmouth were designed by McAndrew Martin as a new headquarters for Brewers Sales and Lettings when it moved from Cosham.

Judges named the two-storey development as among the best buildings in Portsmouth when they awarded it a commendation in the Best Re-Use category at the Portsmouth Society’s Design Awards.

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The former conveniences in Lower Drayton Lane shared the limelight with such landmark projects as the Land Rover BAR’s base in Old Portsmouth and the Boathouse 4 project for the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust.

The loos before the renovationThe loos before the renovation
The loos before the renovation

McAndrew Martin director of architecture James Bengree, who designed the building, said: ‘When you consider the competition we were up against, it was an amazing achievement.’

Brewers managing director Daryn Brewer added: ‘The Old Loos have already proved a great success for us and our clients.

‘It’s great that the Portsmouth Society has also recognised our regeneration of a disused building with a high-quality scheme and its impact on the local community and urban environment.

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‘We’re delighted with the commendation and our great thanks go to all of the judges.’

After the renovationAfter the renovation
After the renovation

Architectural design is one of 35-strong McAndrew Martin’s services.

The others are building surveying, project management and contract administration, mechanical and electrical engineering, structural engineering, architecture and general practice.

Brewers Sales and Lettings was founded in 2004. It is a family run independent property specialist which manages more than 140 residential and commercial properties.

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The Old Loos, which have an ‘industrial retro’ theme, also won a commendation in The News’ Business Excellence Awards.

The loos before the renovationThe loos before the renovation
The loos before the renovation

Other winners in the design awards

The Portsmouth Society’s Design Awards recognise the best of the city’s environment.

n The Best Re-Use category was won by the Boathouse 4 project, by architect Michal Cohen of Walters & Cohen. It is used by the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust to house its small boat collection on a new mezzanine above workshop space for the International Boatbuilding Training College. The project is also in line for a Civic Trust award and a World Architecture Festival award.

n The Parade Tearooms in Western Parade were commended in the Best Re-Use category.

n Winner of the Best New Building Award was the Land Rover BAR Building in Old Portsmouth.

For more go to portsmouthsociety.org.uk/.

Related topics:Old Portsmouth