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Glassex
Conservatory Design Competition ‘A Stunning Success’
Created
as a new event at Glassex this year, The Glassex 2004 Conservatory Design
Competition succeeded, according to one of the event’s judges, in
‘bringing out the very best that the British conservatory industry
has to offer.’ So proclaimed the judges of the competition, who also
described the event as ‘a stunning success for a first event’.
With the finalists and winners displayed in a stylish and relaxing environment
at this year’s Glassex, which took place during March at the NEC,
visitors were able to examine the highly individual entries, many of which
showed extraordinary skill and ability, with the winners also demonstrating
an exceptional flair for presentation.
The Competition was divided into three categories: Conventional Domestic;
Conventional Commercial; and Portal, with each being judged on design
innovation, production innovation, aesthetics, structural integrity and
calculations, and the quality of the entry. A winner was decided for each
category, with an overall winner declared.
Winner of the Conventional Domestic section was Trade Plas Conservatories
with a stunning double aspect installation to a Cotswold home. The judges
felt that the structure ‘created an elegant and sensitive addition
to the property, whilst offering maximum space and light.’
A prolific Hampton Conservatories – the company submitted three entries
– took both the Conventional Commercial and the Portal categories
with designs that were felt to be ‘exceptional in almost every respect’,
offering ‘imagination, creativity and commitment to detail that sets
new standards.’
The Conventional Commercial entry was an extraordinary edifice produced
for the Faculty Club of the prestigious Harvard University in the United
States. In the style of an Orangerie, the installation was felt to be
‘evidence of exceptional design and production skills’, in an
entry that was ‘thoroughly calculated and executed’.
The Portal was even more impressive. This extraordinary swimming pool
house built for a family of swimmers, some of international standard,
at their home in County Armagh, required ‘an understanding of structural
values and calculus’ that was ‘at the top of the pile’.
Little if anything about the structure was of stock manufacture, with
‘an attention to detail that is truly impressive’. The quality
of Hampton’s entries was also extremely stylish, with the drawings
produced ‘easily able to grace the walls of the customer’s home.’
In fact, so impressive was Hampton’s Portal entry that it won the
overall accolade as Glassex Conservatory Design of the Year.
An additional category – Special Award for Innovation - was also
decided upon for a frameless glass structure designed by Clear Structures
Ltd, which specialises in structural glazing and curtain walling, and
whose web site reveals some further quite extraordinary glass installations.
The frameless glass room entered could not, felt the judges, be fairly
compared against others in the competition, as it resisted judgement against
conventional conservatory design criteria. Although causing some controversy
amongst the judges for its contextual aesthetics, all agreed that it was
exceptional in its design and execution.
The judging panel included: Gary Richards, managing director of Conservatory
Roof Craft Ltd; Colin Poole, director of Sash UK Ltd; Barry Dunlop, founder
of Conservatories Online; John Cowie, editor of Conservatory Industries
magazine, Jonathan Brind of The Conservatory Magazine, and Chairman of
the judges, Paul Godwin of Vast PR.
A
Dozen get their Hands Dirty in the Live Action of the Glassex Challenge
In
what quickly became a highlight of this year’s Glassex visitors witnessed
a dozen teams challenging each other, the clock and a band of skilled
judges at Glassex 2004, as they took the Glassex Challenge to prove themselves
the Glassex Installation Team of the Year.
Teams from all over the country installed a door, a flat window, a bay
window and a conservatory roof, and were judged on speed, finish, and
health and safety issues. Prizes were awarded each day to the team that
achieved the best combined score across each installation, with some fantastic
prizes awarded at the end of Glassex for the best conservatory score amongst
the 12 teams, and the best Overall score for the competition. However,
the biggest boost was the kudos that winning the Glassex Challenge will
bring to each team.
Mick
Mills and Ian Conman of Henman Green, with Ian Solomon of Total Conservatory
Roof Solutions
Those to emerge with that kudos were Crystal Vision of Brighton, who took
the prize for the fastest and best erection of the conservatory roof,
and Henman Green Ltd who won the overall title.
Crystal Vision took the Conservatory title with a time of just 23 minutes.
Fitter Nik Wickham, who also owns the company, has worked together for
many years with teammate Alan Bridger and it showed in the quality and
speed with which they tackled the conservatory roof. A delighted Nik spoke
like a true winner: ‘We will definitely be back next year to defend
our title,’ he said. ‘The best prize of all is the prestige
we will get out of this – we will really make the most of it on our
vans and literature.’
Mick Mills and Ian Conman of Henman Green, a family firm based in Dereham,
Norfolk, were clear overall winners across all the disciplines. Director
Giles Henman was delighted with his installers’ success: ‘Henman
Green has a reputation for excellence in the areas in which we operate,
at every level of our business.
‘We recognise that installation is the primary point of contact between
us and our customers, so we work very hard indeed to make sure it is right.
Winning an open competition like this is fantastic for us, and for the
team.’
Ian
Conman and Mick Mills of the Henman Green team, with Phil Thomas, leader
of the judges and managing director of The Essential Support Team, John
Ogilvie of Network Veka, Ian Solomon of Total, and Nick Cook of DeWalt
Judging was carried out by The Essential Support Team (T.E.S.T.), UK specialists
in training and recruitment for the glazing industry. Network Veka supplied
the doors and windows used in the Challenge, and Total Conservatory Roof
Systems the roof. Tools and prizes were provided by power tool maker DeWalt,
in addition to motor racing track days for the winning teams from Glassex
organisers EMAP Maclaren.
Phil Thomas of T.E.S.T. led the judges: ‘Our judging criteria was
strict and to the highest industry standards. Nonetheless the quality
of work has been very good, although I suspect that these conditions are
a lot tougher than they would be even with an anxious homeowner looking
over their shoulders. And whilst time is a critical element in any real
life installation, installers are not actually competing against the clock,
and other installers fitting windows next door!’ said Phil. ‘This
was an excellent event and something that will really encourage others
to come forward and show their skills next year. It’s great fun but
with a serious purpose too.’
Nick
Wickham and Alan Bridger of Crystal Vision, with Phil Thomas, leader of
the judges and managing director of The Essential Support Team, John Ogilvie
of Network Veka, Ian Solomon of Total, and Nick Cook of DeWalt
Nick
Wickham and Alan Bridger of Crystal Vision with Ian Solomon of Total Conservatory
Roof Solutions