Ashford is a town where the landscape is changing through its regeneration programme with a number of high-profile developments coming to fruition. Behind two of the leading projects is architect Guy Hollaway whose work with Elwick Place and The Curious Brewery are notable.

Elwick Place is an addition to Ashford’s night-time economy offering a multi-plex cinema and dining complex with an onsite hotel. The design is not dissimilar to a stadium frontage but wrapped in a gold shroud that changes hue as the sun sets.

The Curious Brewery is a stunning in-town brewery, combining a working brewery with visitor attraction and restaurant. Guy Hollaway decided to add fun elements to the design of the building playing on the mystique of the Curious brand. His vision was to have the building reveal more of itself the closer you were to it.

Both developments have now been recognised in leading architectural awards, with The Curious Brewery being shortlisted for ‘Leisure Project’ at the AJ Architecture Awards 2019.

The AJ Architecture Awards recognises excellence in UK architecture across a range of categories, from School & Housing Projects to Landscaping and Leisure. These highly coveted awards are unique to the market, with each shortlisted project visited by a judging panel and published in the Architects’ Journal.

Guy has become a figurehead for architecture in the South-East of England, giving lectures at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) as well as for public and government bodies such as the South-East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

Guy Hollaway commented:

“We work in lots of places and Ashford Borough Council is one of the most forward-thinking councils that we work with. They are prepared to invest in the town and prepared to invest in the future. This is extremely exciting for architects and will make Ashford a great place for people to visit and live in and experience.”

Cllr Gerry Clarkson, Leader of Ashford Borough Council, said:

“High quality and innovative design is an important and recurring feature of the many development schemes which have been delivered or are in the planning stage in Ashford. Quality design sets the right tone for the borough and we are proud of the many eye-catching projects changing the landscape of our area.”

The 2019 AJ Architecture Awards will see architecture’s most creative and talented leaders and innovators attend the ceremony in London on 20 November 2019 at Exhibition London, Shepherd’s Bush.