AN imaginative Ipswich junior school building and a landmark structure on a Mildenhall industrial estate are among four Suffolk designs to scoop an architectural accolade at an awards event.

AN imaginative Ipswich junior school building and a landmark structure on a Mildenhall industrial estate are among four Suffolk designs to scoop an architectural accolade at an awards event.

The Suffolk Association of Architects (SAA) paid tribute to the “wealth of stunning buildings and talented architects” in the county at its third annual design awards on Thursday .

Presenting the honours at the Suffolk Joint Consultative Committee for Buildings annual supper, held at Trinity Park, Ipswich, was elected SAA president Alan Wilkinson.

A total of 16 buildings, completed in 2007 and built in Suffolk, were judged by a panel of three judges made up of local architect and SAA council member Patrick Stephenson, Patsy Dell, head of planning and engineering at St Edmundsbury Borough Council, and John Norman, director of campus and community development at Suffolk College.

The winner of the Speculative Residential Development title was a two family homes scheme within the grounds of a large Edwardian property in Woodbridge's Thoroughfare.

The client was Framlingham Properties Ltd and the architect was Patrick Allen Ltd, of Woodbridge.

Judges said the development showed “a high degree of understanding of the Edwardian period and an attention to detail”.

The Residential Extension winner was 1 York Road, Bury St Edmunds, designed by Modece Architects of Bury St Edmunds for clients Tim and Annie Page.

The rear extension to an end terrace Victorian property was aimed at creating more workable kitchen and dining area relating better to the garden. Its carbon footprint was reduced with high levels of insulation, solar hot water and recycling rainwater.

“This project demonstrates clearly the benefits of good design within a sensitive residential conservation area,” judges said.

Grove Farm House at Denham, near Eye, received a commendation in the same category for a kitchen extension to a sensitive Grade II listed farmhouse designed by Gorniak & McKechnie of Debenham.

Winner of the Education Building award was St Joseph's Junior School at Belstead Road, Ipswich, a new junior school within the grounds of St Joseph's College.

“The college demonstrates a collection of architectural styles that, strangely, the new building is in perfect harmony with, whilst being completely different from the rest of its neighbours,” said judges.

“The building shows true imagination with its use of colour and forms to engage pupils and teachers.”

The scheme was designed by Wincer Kievenaar Architects of Hadleigh for the college.

The Kite Media Centre at Kirkley High School in Lowestoft, designed by Owl Architects of Ipswich, was commended in the same category.

Commercial Building winner was Kings Forest Housing's new offices at Cedar Lodge, Chiswick Avenue, Mildenhall, by The Johns Practice of Newmarket.

The “landmark building” provided “corporate identity with extremely strong environmental credentials on a very tight budge”, the panel said.

“The building sits within its environment of an industrial estate as a beacon.”

Alan Wilkinson, president of the SAA, congratulated the clients and architects of the winning buildings.

“Suffolk has a wealth of stunning buildings and talented architects,” he said.

“The design awards highlight the high standards of architectural design being achieved in Suffolk by local architects, with the support of discerning clients.”

The SAA Craftsmanship Awards, which date back several decades and now running alongside the design awards, recognised the skill of contractors and individual craftsmen and women on various schemes. The winners were:

Exning Court, Cotton End Road, Exning, near Newmarket (New Build) - Architect: PRP Architects, Thames Ditton, Surrey; Contractor: ISG Jackson, Ipswich; Client: Sanctuary Hereward, Sanctuary Housing Association.

Cherry Tree Farm (development of five houses), St Andrews Road, Knodishall, near Leiston (New Build) - Architect: KLH Architects, Wherstead, Ipswich; Contractor: Bill Barton Contractors, Woodbridge; Owner: JA & SM Crane Property Development, Sudbourne, near Woodbridge.

Hintlesham Priory, Hintlesham, near Hadleigh (Major Alterations and Extensions) - Architect: Rodney Black Design Studios Ltd, Dedham, near Colchester; Contractor: Rose Builders, Lawford, near Manningtree; Client: Roger and Mary Luxmoore-Styles

New Pool Hall, Latimer House, Cobbolds Point, Felixstowe (Alterations and Extensions) - Architect: Wincer Kievenaar Architects, Hadleigh; ISG Jackson Special Projects, Ipswich; Client: Dennis Johnson.

Crows Hall, Debenham (Restoration and Extension) - Architect: Nick Jacob Architect, Ipswich; Contractor: R & J Hogg, Coney Weston, near Bury St Edmunds; Client: Miss C Spurrier.

Theatre Royal, Bury St. Edmunds (Restoration) - Architect: Levitt Bernstien, London; Contractor: Haymills, Stowmarket; Client: Bury St Edmunds Theatre Management; Owner: The National Trust.

Chimney stacks, Sewell House, Yaxley, near Eye (Individual Craftsmen: Bricklaying) - Architect: Hucklesbury Architects, Eye; Contractor: Cambridge Build Ltd, Ipswich; Client: Mr & Mrs Farrant

Joinery; Hazel Shrub House, Bentley, near Ipswich (Individual Craftsmen: Joinery) - Architect: Wincer Kievenaar Architects, Hadleigh; Main Contractor: M Chisnell & Sons, Hadleigh; Sub-contractor: TD Joinery, Wattisham, near Hadleigh; Client: Simon and Carol Faiers.