It was a great privilege to meet the Duke of Gloucester at a Client Devon launch opening party, where the Duke unveiled a plaque and planted a tree in its honour.

Clinton Devon Estates was established in Devon in the 16th Century and has always managed the operation from a base within its own geographical boundaries.  The Estate’s last residence was Syon House, an old house in East Budleigh with minimal scope for improvement and modernisation.

When this project created, I was working as part of a team from iDEA who were involved in the interior fit-out with Architects Lacey Hickie Caley who created the exterior shell and form of the building.

The brief was to create a brand new Estate Office of a high quality contemporary design similar in standard to the best of recent visitor centres developed within other historic parks, which when completed would be an example of sustainable design, have excellent environmental credentials and act as an example of the alternative sources of efficient energy.

The accommodation was to provide a base in which to manage the Estates complex countryside business by creating a high quality and flexible environment for, day-to-day work, hospitality, conferences and meetings.

The new environment was to be conducive to significantly improving productivity, attracting and retaining high calibre employees who will visibly demonstrate the principles of responsible stewardship.

This building has now won many awards including:

The British Council for Offices Award – South of England and South Wales regional award, small projects category  - October 2008.

RIBA Town & Country Design Awards: Sustainability – September 2008

The International Green Apple Award – Gold in the built environment an architectural heritage category – June 2008

Innovative Building Design Award – Royal Bath and West Show – May 2008

Eco Building of the Year – Michelmores and Western Morning News Commercial Property Awards – April 2008