Stonehaven-based Hyve Architects Ltd has won another national competition to add to its growing list of industry awards.
Run in conjunction with the Royal Incorporation of Architects Scotland (RIAS), the Velux Maximum Exposure Award recognises the innovative vision of designers in Scotland who use Velux products to create inventive and modern designs.
The winning project, The Gables, is an extension and renovation of a period property in the heart of Stonehaven Conversation Area. A second Hyve project, a new extension to Stonehouse Mill at Drumlithie, was also shortlisted as one of the eight finalists in the competition which attracted submissions by top architects from across Scotland.
“We were delighted to win this award and we are particularly pleased that both of our entries were shortlisted this year,” said Nikki Ritchie, Director of Hyve Architects. “This award is a great way to showcase smaller scale, domestic projects which often get overlooked in architecture competitions.”
This is the second award won by Hyve for The Gables. In 2017, the company was named winner of the Design Award – Residential Category by the Aberdeen Society of Architects.  Hyve’s Pitmedden House at Dyce project to replace an old conservatory with a new garden room was also shortlisted as a finalist.
Hyve, originally ISIS Architecture, was set up by Nikki in 2005. Starting off from a home office in her front room, she has seen the practice grow year on year and she now heads up of team of five.  The company specialises in residential work ranging from small housing developments to one-off new build homes and extensions, renovations and alterations.
The practice changed its name to Hyve Architects Ltd in 2015. Hyve is old Scots for haven and Steen-hyve, is an old Scots name for Stonehaven. Hyve provides a full architectural service from design, preparation of planning and warrant applications, advice on builder selection and ongoing building works inspection.
Hyve’s style of contemporary design, which incorporates a contrast of old and new styles to reflect the context of the site, building or location, has won it a string of awards and industry recognition.
In 2017 alone, it was also named Winner Best Home/Building Improvement Business (Interior) and Winner of the Best Trades Business (0-10 employees) in the Trades Awards and shortlisted in the national Built It Magazine Awards for Best Renovation/Extension Architect or Designer.