Cheshire building firm picks up top industry prize for eco barn
conversion with breathtaking views of the Peak District
● AJ Field Developments won the ‘Large Renovation’ prize at the FMB’s 2023 North
Master Builder Awards, sponsored by Isuzu
● It will now be entered into the national Master Builder Awards, also sponsored by
Isuzu
A construction company based in Cheshire has beaten off competition across the North West to
win a prestigious industry prize.
AJ Field Developments Ltd picked up the accolade at the Federation of Master Builders’
(FMB) 2023 North Master Builder Awards, sponsored by Isuzu and held at The Queens
Hotel in Leeds on Friday 19 May.
The awards recognise excellence in the region’s small and medium-sized construction
companies and are run by the FMB, the largest trade association in the UK construction sector.
AJ Field Developments won the Large Renovation Project after impressing judges for its stylish
and environmentally friendly renovation of a barn nestled in the picturesque Staffordshire
Moorlands.
The main structure is constructed out of Structurally Insulated Panels (SIPs), using timber from
sustainable sources with an insulating foam core. Sleek black coloured steel cladding has been
used to envelope the building, and triple glazed curtain walling and windows installed to
maximise thermal performance.
In another ingenious eco feature, AJ Field has built a pond that passes under the building,
which is filled with harvested rainwater, and creates an ecological haven for wildlife along with
an insect wall and swallow nesting overhang.
The outside is finished off with a large, sculptural curtain wall, which casts beautiful patterns with
shadows throughout the day.
The indoors is just as impressive, with different living zones created by perpendicular,
intersecting blocks with ramped corridors to interconnect them.
The client couldn’t believe the finished product, praising AJ Field Development for creating a
new home that is everything they “could have hoped for.”
Ailis Hadfield, Director of AJ Field, said: “We are extremely honoured to have won a regional
award for the Large Renovation Project, especially as it was such a unique and distinctive
design.
“To have won another Federation of Master Builders award made us feel immensely proud,
gaining the recognition of the quality of the project and hard work made by the whole team.”
Caroline Meehan, North Director of the FMB, said: “Our North West Master Builders have
delivered an astounding level of quality craftsmanship, continuing to set an exceptionally high
standard for future winners.”
“AJ Field Developments did a marvelous job constructing an environmentally friendly project
and are the well-deserved winners of this year’s Large Renovation award.”
“Our members continue to deliver unique and personalised renovations, and this year is no
exception.”