‘Fantastic’ success for Kingussie’s Spey Building and Joinery at Scottish federation awards
Badenoch’s master builders are celebrating a ‘fantastic’ double at this year’s Scottish awards in Edinburgh.
Two of Spey Building and Joinery’s successful projects - both unique, each uniquely difficult to create - were praised at Friday’s Master Builder Awards for their high-quality craftsmanship and exceptional customer service.
After he accepted the two glittering trophies, boss Angus Reid-Evans told the Strathy: “We are all delighted with the end result of both and to receive awards and official recognition for our efforts is fantastic.
“They were each challenging in their technicalities and testing for both stamina and in the working conditions.
“The logistics in getting materials to site were particularly testing with boats large and small being used to ferry both men and materials.
“The high quality organic materials being used and emphasis on energy retention and capture means both properties can operate with the minimum of costs.”
What’s more, winning the Scotland awards now means the Kingussie team will go through for consideration in the UK finalists held in Manchester in September.
The company came back to the strath with the Sustainable Building Award and the title for the Commercial or Public Sector Project.
With the first, the primary objective was to demonstrate how small, highly sustainable homes could be designed to suit Scotland's remote and environmentally sensitive landscapes. The design was inspired by the Nordic tradition of remote summerhouses, huts, and cabins, aiming to meet the most stringent standards of the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge.
The team overcame both technical and physical challenges in trying to mitigate environmental impacts, and were described as being very respectful of the delicate nature of the surrounding environment, with stakeholders given opportunity to contribute in regular progress meetings.
With the second assignment, SBJ were tasked with building a hub on the Isle of Canna to help cater for the influx of seasonal visitors. The building provides amenities such as toilets, showers, laundry facilities and a doctor consultation room.
Environmentally friendly materials were used as the island is striving to use renewables to be more energy self-sufficient. Remoteness was a major consideration – the team delivered materials by boat and in enclosed bags to prevent invasion of foreign organisms to the island. The client was grateful to the team for taking on this unique task and delighted with the new facilities.
Now the Badenoch builders’ eyes are on the 2025 National Master Builder Awards, on September 26, which will reveal who drives away with the Master Builder of the Year award and an Isuzu pick-up truck.
