Dundee shipping container offices clean up at architect awards
The first commercial building constructed from shipping containers in Scotland has achieved a clean sweep of the Dundee Institute of Architects Awards.
The District 10 container office building, designed by Ged Young of Aim Design Architects, received several awards including Best Commercial Building, an award for Interior Design as well as picking up the award for Best Client, Scottish Enterprise. The night was complete when the project received the top award of the evening, the Supreme Award for best overall project.
The first commercial container building for early start businesses in Scotland was opened in September 2013 at Seabraes, a former railway goods yard located to the west of Dundee’s waterfront. The project was joint funded by Scottish Enterprise, the European Regional Development Fund, Tayside charity Matthew Trust and received a financial boost from the Scottish Government’s capital investment in shovel ready projects.
Dundee is renowned for its expertise in digital media and creative industries. More than 350 businesses in the sector, employing more than 3300 people, are currently based in Dundee and the surrounding area generating a combined annual turnover in excess of £185 million.
The building achieves a high level of sustainability and is accredited as a BREEAM excellent project. Constructed from 37 recycled shipping containers it provides 15 lettable units for up to 4 people. The facility is aimed at early stage creative industry companies and builds on Dundee’s enviable reputation for creative companies that can deliver innovative and successful products.
Ged Young, the architect for the project, said: “This is a wonderfully positive story for the city. The building is a first for Scotland and Dundee and we are delighted for District 10 to receive the recognition that these awards celebrate. The building is almost fully let in little more than a year from opening and has become a recognised architectural feature within the Dundee Waterfront development. This project is yet another step towards the delivery of a successful waterfront and we look forward to the future commencement of the V&A and surrounding development with great anticipation and excitement.”
The project delivery team also included cost consultants, WJR Christie & Partners, structural and civil engineers Fairhursts, and services consultants BBH. The project was constructed by Maxi Construction.
In winning the Supreme Award the project will qualify for entry into the RIAS Andrew Doolan Best Building Award next year which is the largest Architectural prize in the UK.