THE restoration of a Victorian chapel at the heart of a university campus in Winchester has won a prestigious award.

The University of Winchester has scooped a Civic Voice Design Award for the restoration of Winton Chapel.

It comes after the project also scooped a highly-acclaimed RIBA South Award 2017 in May for its regional importance as a piece of architecture.

In 2015, the University commissioned Design Engine Architects to oversee a complete restoration of the internal and external fabric of its Victorian Chapel – originally built in 1880 – as part of the celebrations to commemorate the institution's 175th anniversary. In addition, the University wanted to add a small side chapel and a social and meeting space to the Chapel to increase its usability.

The project has seen it restored to its former glory. Working with local craftspeople and materials, with the original splendour of the Chapel being restored alongside the careful addition of a new altar and font and an extension to the north of the main Chapel.

The extension is an empathetic response to the gothic revival building where its connection, form and materiality are both intuitive and exciting. Externally, the extension is clad with perforated aluminium panels, anodised to give a highly reflective gold finish allowing the building to be interpreted at different distances and scales.

Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Joy Carter said: “We are utterly delighted that the project to restore our Chapel has been awarded this prestigious national prize. Our Chapel is right at the heart of our campus and who we are as a university – a wonderful link to our foundation by the Church of England in 1840. The Chapel restoration was the centrepiece of our 175th anniversary celebrations and a reflection of the important place it is for our students and staff.”

Steve Brine MP for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford, who is also a member of the APPG for Civic Societies in Parliament, added: “I am not surprised the Winton Chapel caught the judges’ eye, it is simply stunning. This is a richly deserved award, from a hugely respected group, that is testament to the vision of our excellent University and the talent of Design Engine.”