RIBA award for Medway Crematorium project
Clay Architecture wins prestigious RIBA award for Medway Crematorium project.
MGC – a Joseph Ash plant in Medway – and Hellings Fabrications Ltd are pleased to have been part of the project.
Clay Architecture in Gravesend was chosen by Medway Council in 2013 to redesign and rebuild part of Medway Crematorium in Chatham, in order to house new fuel efficient cremation ovens. It was a great choice by Medway Council as Clay Architecture has recently won the prestigious regional RIBA award for their work.
As part of the project, Clay Architecture asked Hellings Fabrications Ltd to build a two tonne window screen, which Hellings then asked MGC – a Joseph Ash plant in Medway – to hot dip galvanize and powder coat. The screen is a beautiful addition to the redesigned crematorium and MGC are very proud to have been part of its production.
The screen was designed by Clay Architecture to sit in front of the crematorium’s chapel window in order to provide privacy for families attending cremations. It was also designed to let in natural sunlight, whilst at the same time preventing glare from the morning and evening sun.
It is a complex structure with many intricate sections designed to sympathetically suit the existing patterns on the crematorium’s windows.
Hellings managed the fabrication from their Margate workshop, and MGC then galvanized and powder coated it from their Medway plant. Because it is so large – measuring 5.8 metres high by 4.7 metres wide – it had to be fabricated and galvanized in four parts.
When the structure was ready, MGC transported it to Medway Crematorium, where Hellings erected it on site, using special lifting equipment.
Clay Architecture was shortlisted for the RIBA prize along with six other sites in Kent. We’re really pleased they won, as the redesign of Medway Crematorium is stunning piece of architecture.
Medway Galvanising Company (MGC):
Medway Galvanising Company was acquired by Joseph Ash in May 2013 and is currently still trading as MGC. For steel finishing needs in the south east, this plant delivers a one stop shop service of shot blasting, hot dip galvanizing, spin galvanizing and powder coating all from under one roof. All architectural and steel structures are accepted.
Based in Gravesend, Kent Clay Architecture was set up by Architectural Association graduates and husband and wife team Camilla Prizeman and Kasan Goh when they took over the 96 year-old George Clay Partnership in 2000.
Based in Margate, Kent, and opened in 1982, Hellings Fabrications manufacture and install a wide range of architectural metalwork, specialising in fabricating one-off products from designs specified by their customers.
RIBA – The Royal Institute of British Architects
Photos by Quintin Lake
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