world's first iron-framed building shortlisted in Building Awards
23 August 2023
Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings has been shortlisted in the Building Awards Retrofit/Refurbishment Project of the Year 2023.
FCBStudios have recently completed the £28 million repair and adaptive re-use of the former maltings, regarded as one of the most important buildings of the industrial revolution, to deliver a low-carbon, mixed-use development, and a catalyst for economic regeneration of the area.
The industrial forerunner of modern skyscrapers was the first building in the world to be constructed with an iron frame. This new technology was developed to give better fire protection than previous wood-framed buildings, and paved the way for modern-day steel-framed tall buildings.
The ground floor, now an exhibition space, tells the story of the building and its evolving industry, along with a public café. Above are four floors of newly refurbished workspaces with circulation and meeting space in the impressive former kiln building.
A heritage skills programme was delivered during the construction works, using the site itself as a tool for learning.
Results will be announced in November.