The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced Croft 3 on the Isle of Mull, Scotland by fardaa as the winner of the 2024 RIBA Reinvention Award.
The Award recognises buildings that have been creatively reused to improve their environmental, social, or economic sustainability. It shines a light on 'retrofitting’ – increasing the longevity and energy efficiency of existing buildings and reducing the need for demolition and new construction.
Located in the remote coastal community of the Isle of Mull in Scotland, the ruined croft was bought by the owner to expand her busy local restaurant.
The brief was to create a restaurant space that retained the intimate and simple character of a croft building while maximising the opportunity for customers to enjoy the awe-inspiring landscape and views across to the Isle of Ulva and Atlantic Ocean. Meeting the National Scenic Area’s expectations for design quality and a clear social benefit, Croft 3 transforms a once dilapidated ruin into a truly unique, intimate community space.
The restoration has seen the original croft building converted into a dining hall, while a new extension houses the kitchen, entrance, and other back-of-house spaces. The overlap of old and new structures creates a sheltered entrance, in turn creating a series of views that open up to the landscape as one navigates through. Large square windows sit low in the walls, providing framed views at sitting level and focusing daylight for a warm, natural atmosphere.
Honouring the nature of the ruin and the cultural and historical traditions of the locale, the two connected buildings are cloaked in earth-like tones, and their close proximity provides shelter and space from the elements. It’s rustic interior not only reflects the croft’s traditional use, but provides a flexibility for future uses.
Croft 3 is an exemplar in low-carbon restoration. Existing structures and site materials were reused throughout, wherever possible, while retaining walls were designed out to reduce the use of concrete. The restaurant also boasts reclaimed chairs and benches and tables that were carved on the island from a single tree.
Interweaving themes of food, friendship, and community, Croft 3 offers a warm and welcoming retreat from the often-harsh conditions of the Isle of Mull.
Jury Chair and Director of Dow Jones, Biba Dow, said:
“Croft 3 talks powerfully of the dramatic capacity for re-invention and re-activation at a small scale. Fardaa have brought to this project great skill and sensitivity, extending and transforming a ruin into a carefully detailed restaurant much-loved by its local community on the Isle of Mull. The judges were delighted by the care and expertise evident in every aspect of this project. The relationship between the restored stone building and its new timber extension is finely judged, each bringing focus to the other, and a shared language of detail brings a deft coherence. Of its place both in its architecture and its use, it reminds us that architecture doesn’t need to operate on a large scale to be powerful.”
Edward Farleigh, Founder of fardaa, said:
“We are delighted that Croft 3 has won the 2024 RIBA Reinvention Award. The project illustrates how the character of historic buildings can be successfully integrated with contemporary design whilst benefiting local people and minimising carbon emissions. This award acknowledges a combined effort, with a driven and progressive client, a fantastic design team and the will of a strong, supportive community.”
Notes to editors:
- Media contact: Ruby.OShea@riba.org
- Images and citations can be downloaded here
- The Reinvention Award recognises achievement in the creative reuse of existing buildings through transformative projects. The award recognises buildings that have been creatively reused to improve their environmental, social, or economic sustainability– increasing the longevity and energy efficiency of existing buildings and reducing the need for demolition and new construction.
- Eligible projects reused an existing building or structure, supplied carbon and operational energy where applicable, and demonstrated how the project had improved the building or structure by achieving one or more of the sustainable outcomes in RIBA’s Sustainable Outcomes Guide.
- The RIBA Awards have been running since 1966. No matter the shape, size, budget or location, RIBA Award winning schemes set the standard for great architecture all across the country. RIBA Awards are for buildings in the UK by RIBA Chartered Architects and RIBA International Fellows. Entries are to be submitted to the region or nation in which the building is situated.
- The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is a global professional membership body that serves its members and society in order to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Follow @RIBA on X for regular updates.
