The cottage, which stands on Cromford Canal near Lea Bridge in Derbyshire, is one of the 13-strong collection of success stories built on community engagement, sustainable builds and an ability to make the most of limited budgets that make up this year’s MacEwen Award shortlist.
Aqueduct Cottage has been shortlisted in the Heritage Renewal category of the MacEwan Awards, an annual competition recognising architecture for the common good now in its ninth edition.
In partnership with Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust and James Boon Architects, Aqueduct Cottage, located next to the Trust’s Lea Wood Nature Reserve along the Cromford Canal, was lovingly and carefully restored with over 7,500 hours of work from dedicated volunteers.
Restoration work included a new roof, stabilising and repointing walls, new floors and tiling, installing an upstairs exhibition and community space, and creating wildlife friendly gardens. The space is now open to the public and is used for workshops and events.
Speaking about the project, last year’s MacEwen winner and judge Alex Scott-Whitby said:
“Something about this got me from the first page. You can tell there is a really strong relationship between all these different groups…there is a generosity in this project which is really powerful.”
