Ann Hodges in the yard at Hallin Bank.-Norman GrindleyHALLIN BANK, a 1930s house on a half acre site in Seymour Lands, has a sense of history that its owners have sought to preserve.
Redeveloped into a complex with seven owners - including architect Ann Hodges who envisioned a modern edifice caught in time, and the original owner, Dorothy Campbell - its recreation has earned the admiration of the architectural fraternity.
A week ago, Ms. Hodges was conferred with the Governor General's Award for Excellence in Architecture 2000 for Hallin Bank which sits at 46 Lady Musgrave Road. The development also took a merit award in the residential category.
"In terms of increasing housing in towns, it shows you can preserve the old and tie it in with the new," Ms. Hodges told The Gleaner.
Now comprised of several units, the house was restored with its original elements being repaired or rebuilt. The first unit was completed four years ago and the last in January.
Every three years, the Jamaican Institute of Architects assesses the work of the fraternity, and awards prizes in four categories - residential, resort, public/institutional and a special award. The best of the merit awards also gets the Award for Excellence.
Ms. Hodges was receiving the Excellence Award for the second consecutive time, having won it for Strawberry Hill Hotel in 1997.
She had also earned a merit award in 1992 for Adinkra Cottage, owned by Chris Blackwell, which was refurbished after Hurricane Gilbert devastated it in 1988.
The seven units in the Hallin Bank complex form a yard, which brings a sense of community, allowing opportunity for chance meetings, organised social gatherings, shared meals and shared childcare.
Building security is achieved through grillwork to glass or shuttered windows, and narrow cedar louvers with integral pivots.
The units have wide frontages and an outdoor area between them and the property boundary. This gives householders private outdoor space and allows opportunity for informal extensions.
The ground floor one bedroom apartment is designed for wheelchair access.
In the design all mature trees on the site were preserved; landscaping is a work in progress; and space is reserved for a pool.
The development was jointly planned and funded by the owners of the units, and the design had to balance the limited resources and the desire for quality finishes.
A simple form, reinforced blockwork construction and the use of economical finishes such as sheet metal roofing, rendered concrete floors, stained concrete exterior walls and board shutter windows in kitchens, allowed spending on boarded tray ceilings and wooden louvered doors and windows.
Speaking to the benefits of the JIA awards in the advancement of an architect's career, Ms. Hodges, an architect for 25 years, says it is considered "quite prestigious."
"It builds self confidence. My first one for Chris' cottage certainly boosted my confidence to do Strawberry Hill."
Look out for profiles on other 2000 merit award winners in coming weeks.
