Double Success For Isle Of Wight Architect

Cowes-based architect Leah Mew is celebrating a double success at the prestigious Isle of Wight Society Conservation Awards and RIBA Design Awards.

It was the first time Leah had entered the awards yet she won both the RIBA Martin Pearce Innovation Award and the Isle of Wight Society Certificate of Merit for Conservation.

Both awards were for work at Rowlands Farmhouse, Havenstreet – a project that preserved the Grade II listed building’s heritage whilst bringing it into the 21st century.

A major feature of the project was sympathetically transforming the farm’s historic pond into a natural swim pond using modern technology to provide clean, safe water to swim in whilst retaining it as a home for local wildlife.

It was this element of the project which was recognised for the RIBA Martin Pearce Innovation Award while the wider transformation of the farm itself earned Leah the Isle of Wight Society Certificate of Merit for Conservation.

The awards ceremony was held at Northwood House in Cowes where, coincidentally, Leah has her office.

She was especially pleased to win the awards as her business is developing its work in the heritage sector.

Leah said:

“We were thrilled to see our work at Rowlands Farm recognised because we were up against some really fabulous other projects.

“We are passionate about preserving the Island’s heritage and with some creative thought we are able to do that while at the same time embracing the latest technology and environmental thinking.”