Awards recognise best in hard metal roofing

[THE NEW CHAIR of the Federation of Traditional Metal Roofing Contractors (FTMRC), Trevor Corser of JTC Roofing Contractors Ltd, was host to a record attendance at its annual Technical Seminar, culminating in the presentation of the prestigious FTMRC Hard Metals Awards, which included both heritage and ecclesiastical buildings among the finalists.

The awards opened with the Commercial Roofing Award, presented by Simon Walker of sponsors SIG Zinc and Copper. The winner was Richardson Roofing Co Ltd for The Savoy in the Strand (right).

The project involved a major refurbishment of the original 1920s building for the Duchy of Lancaster. The multimillion-pound redevelopment of the main building and rear wing included the adaptation of two new storeys on the front of the property and three on the rear, and the introduction of two large terraces.

The finalists in the category included Longworth Building Services Ltd for Derby Market Hall. Built in 1864 and located in Derby’s Cathedral Quarter, the Market Hall (below) is one of the city’s most culturally important buildings. Today it plays host to a range of independent traders, with its wide variety of stalls encompassing niche food and drink offerings as well as local fashion retailers.

The Cladding Award was presented by Michael Staff of sponsors ALM HM and the winner was Longworth Building Services Ltd for Lampwick Quay: a build-to-rent development of 213 homes that forms part of Manchester Life's phased regeneration and development across Ancoats and New Islington on Manchester City Centre's eastern edge.

Next came the Best Project Under £25k Award, sponsored by the FTMRC itself. The winner was Hutchison Metal Roofing for Eashing House, the renovation of an existing house.

The client wanted the single-ply membrane roof covering removed and replaced with stainless-steel roof covering to match existing cladding on the house. The existing stainless steel had been discontinued so the client was happy to go with Aperam Ugibright for the new roof.

The Ian Harvey Architectural Award was presented by Oliver Marshall of Metra Non-Ferrous Metals. The winner was Just Hard Metals Ltd for Brecken Hill: a new build residential barn in Hexham.

The contractor used 0.7mm VM Zinc Quartz Plus on the roof and 0.8mm on the walls. The method of installation was by standing seam and ventilated plywood supporting substrate, with a VM Zinc breather membrane.

The finalists in that category were CEL Group (1989) Ltd for Brancepeth Castle, a Grade One-listed castle in County Durham (below) and EMC Roofing & Cladding Ltd for Cambridge Mosque.

The Brancepeth Castle project involved the replacement of felt roofing on the Grand Staircase and lightwell roofs with new raised boarded roof structures and zinc roof covering.

Cambridge Mosque was an interesting project to fabricate and install curved and tapered panels, including breather membrane and fixings.

Finally, the overarching Contractor of the Year Award was presented by Daniel Madell of sponsor PREFA. The winner was Just Hard Metals Ltd.

The FTMRC is at the vanguard of the traditional, fully-supported roofing and cladding sector, providing technical guidance based on practical on-site experience. It provides the matrix between manufacturers and suppliers to help drive up standards and support training.

Entries for the FTMRC Hard Metals Awards 2023 are now open. All members of the FTMRC, their clients, architects and consultants who have recently used an FTMRC member can supply an entry to the 2023 awards by providing the project details together with high-resolution photographs to info@ftmrc.co.uk. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk 43