Modece’s achievements over the last year have been celebrated by the local council during the Innovation Awards for the regeneration project of The Old Fox Yard in Stowmarket.
The Awards have been held for a second year by Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Councils to ‘recognise and celebrate individuals, teams, large and small businesses in the districts who demonstrate the very best new innovations from cutting edge technology to outstanding customer service’.
Director Matt Bell at The Old Fox Yard
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“In November 2020, Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Councils held their first ‘Innovation Awards’ to recognise and celebrate individuals, teams, large and small businesses in the districts who demonstrate the very best new innovations from cutting edge technology to outstanding customer service.
One year on we caught up with the winners to see what winning meant to them, and what they have been up to over the past year.
Modece Architects were the stand out winners of the evening taking home no less than three awards; in Sustainability, Construction, and the Micro Business Award.
Team at Modece Architects, refurbished Old Fox Yard in the backround
Modece Architects are award-winning architects with a focus on sustainable architecture with contemporary design, they are located in Stowmarket and won THREE Innovation Awards!
Modece received three nominations in separate categories at the Innovation Awards:
Sustainability
Modece strives to develop innovation that will reduce and replace the need for less sustainable materials. This nomination highlighted their vision to develop environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions at every stage of a project. In 2019, Modece calculated its own carbon footprint and offset it by the planting of 1000 trees in Suffolk.
Construction
Modece's commitment to change within the industry impressed the judging panel. This included their extensive research of new materials and techniques. Modece work closely with clients, consultants, and suppliers who share their sustainable ethos. They have designed and built eco-houses that reduce carbon emissions, maximise passive solar gain and are extremely energy efficient.
Micro Business
Modece have always been innovative, pioneering the use of Hemp-Lime in the UK in 1985. Today they are developing innovative structural elements made from hemp stalk, a rapidly renewable and locally available resource, to replace timber in traditional construction. Their R&D, and specialism in sustainable architecture and natural construction products has sustained them within their industry.
A huge well done to Matt and the team for all their hard work and innovation!
Modece Architect’s team working in the studio at The Old Fox Yard
Modece's Story
Matthew Bell, has been director of Modece Architects for the last 5 years. Since he took over, the practice has widened its scope from not only delivering highly sustainable housing to also specialising in community led regeneration projects as well as R&D into new construction technologies.
"We have pioneered the use of Hemp within construction and are now developing new methods of using it as structural elements. All our work is focused on raising the standard of architecture generally, but most importantly doing so in the most sustainable manner possible. Whether this be environmental sustainability with the choice of natural materials we use, social sustainability when working with community groups, or economic sustainability as we develop new low cost forms of construction."
Matthew has a background in architecture, art, environmental science and development. These interests have come together to form his direction in life and business. This is currently taking form in Stowmarket as Modece are developing the Old Fox Yard into a design quarter. The design quarter will be a place for designers, artists and the public to gather, socialise and work together. Initially it will include the architects' office, the Fox Yard Studio (an artist gallery and work space conceived and run by Matt’s wife Samantha Bell), and an Arts Bar called Pallet (due to open in late 2021). Next steps will be to create Design Rooms for young and start-up artists and designers to have spaces to work from.
Modece differs from their competitors as they have a deep routed interest in their local community, often choosing to work with local community groups and themselves undertaking community regeneration in Stowmarket. It is also clear that everything they do has sustainability at its forefront and never as an afterthought.
"Winning three of the Innovation Awards was a real honour. It was lovely to be recognised for a variety of the fields we work in and are close to our hearts. It has re-enforced our drive and passion. Along with the covid support received from the council, we have been reinvesting into our R&D efforts and the redevelopment of the Old Fox Yard in Stowmarket."
