Charles Knowles Design : Architects

Winner - 2019 Constructing Excellence SECBE Award

Project of the Year under £10m

Winner - 2019 Sussex Heritage Trust Award

The judges citation:

“This had the ‘wow’ factor, not from its impact but from the seamless integration with the Grade I building and listed gardens.  Elegant without being overstated and subservient to its surroundings.  Lucky diners can enjoy everything that is special about Gravetye Manor.”

Winner - 2019 International Green Apple Beautiful Buildings Gold Award

The Beautiful Buildings sector in the International Green Apple Environment Awards for the Built Environment and Architectural Heritage aims to recognise and reward those buildings that make a positive visual impact on our built environment around the world.

Winner - 2018 Mid Sussex Design Award

Awarded every three years, the 2018 Mid Sussex Design Award for best non-residential scheme The judges commented:

“This is an exceptional scheme consisting of a new restaurant dining room, an understated and elegant glazed courtyard infill with a floating flat roof, to a Grade I Listed Jacobean manor house. Sitting down to eat, diners feel as they are eating out amongst the beautiful planted garden, their focus. Although appearing simply conceived, the architect has worked hard in concealing the necessary clutter associated with servicing these types of spaces within the elegant support structure. The ‘back of house’ hidden away in a newly created basement. To complete quality works such as this within 4 months is amazing and meant that the basement had to be prefabricated and the glazing and structural system ‘pre-ordered’ before site dimensions could be taken. Traditional lead roofing work and battened maple ceiling is a fine example of good craftsmanship.  The judges thought this scheme was perfect, truly inspiring and at one with its spectacular setting.” ”

Commendation - 2018 Mid Sussex Design Award

Awarded every three years, the 2018 Mid Sussex Design Award for best Conservation and Heritage-based Scheme
The judges citation:

“Awarded earlier, this restaurant extension to a Grade I Listed Jacobean manor house has been undertaken very delicately, so that the existing building is conserved. The former external walls and windows now appreciated and brought to life as they form the backdrop to the newly created dining room. Not only a great piece of contemporary architecture, but also an enhancement to the original building and landscape.”