Europa Nostra Award 2024 for Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings
30 May 2024
The renovation of Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings, the first iron-framed building, and forerunner of modern skyscrapers, has won a Europa Nostra Award 2024 for Conservation and Adaptive Reuse.
The Awards’ Jury said. “The restoration of Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings’ iconic building serves as a beacon for the conservation and adaptive reuse for industrial heritage sites in Europe. Through innovative project management, logistical complexities were navigated, and risks were mitigated effectively, ensuring its success”,
“Beyond its architectural significance, the project had a profound community impact, fostering engagement and skill development while creating employment opportunities. By carefully preserving original features and repurposing the building’s original materials where possible, its historical integrity was honoured. It sets a pioneering example for future projects of its kind”, the Jury added.
The European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards highlight the crucial role of exemplary projects and individuals dedicated to preserving and promoting our rich heritage. 26 outstanding winners from 18 countries across Europe have been announced, across five categories. A celebration of the winners will take place at the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2024 this October.
It sets a pioneering example for future projects of its kind
Europa Nostra Awards 2024 jury
Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings has also won five awards at the RIBA West Midlands Awards. In addition to the RIBA West Midlands Award, the project was also awarded Building of the Year, Client of the Year and the Conservation award. FCBStudios Senior Associate Tim Greensmith was awarded Project Architect of the Year.
Built originally as a flaxmill in 1787, this building was revolutionary in its design as the first iron framed building in the world, paving the way for the modern skyscraper. Converted to a maltings in 1897, the site was adapted and changed to keep going for another hundred years, until it finally closed in 1987. It was then left dormant and derelict for over twenty years.
This £28million project of repair and adaptive re-use has delivered a low-carbon, mixed-use development which is a catalyst for economic regeneration of the local area and beyond.