Stockroom Wins Conversion of the Year at the AT Awards

Our Stockroom project has beaten tough competition to be named Conversion of the Year at the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (CIAT) AT Awards.

Now in their 10th year, the AT Awards celebrate the people, ideas and contributions that shape the wider discipline of Architectural Technology. They provide an opportunity to recognise everyone who plays a part in advancing the profession, bringing together industry leaders, professionals and emerging talent.

Stockroom is an innovative, community-focused cultural and creative centre in the heart of Stockport. It includes a library, children’s learning space, café bar and events venue, Stockroom Studios. Occupying a series of repurposed retail units in the Merseyway Shopping Centre, the technically challenging scheme required our team to build a strong collaborative relationship with main contractor Kier and the wider design team. Innovative digital processes helped the team coordinate the project and achieve a high-quality result.

The awards judges said of the scheme: “The council-owned Merseyway Shopping Centre in the heart of Stockport is a project which transforms a stretch of three vacant retail units into a high-performing civic and cultural anchor. A great reuse of the space and conversion, the shopping centre is actively driving town centre footfall, dwell time, and economic uplift.

“An exceptionally well-evidenced conversion with excellent supporting imagery, this project demonstrates strong collaboration, advanced digital coordination and innovation, inclusive design, and technical complexity. This is a brilliant example of how to use a well-refined brief to technically deliver a building that meets a wide range of needs.”

The accolade follows a series of successes for the project, including being highly commended at the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Building of the Year Awards and recognised at the Manchester Society of Architects (MSA) Awards.

Building on our town centre regeneration portfolio, this month also saw our transformation of the Spindles and Town Square Shopping Centre shortlisted for Best Repurposing and Regeneration Project at the Revo Awards 2026. Applying knowledge and experience gained through Stockroom, the project repurposes underused retail space to create a contemporary workplace, market, flexible events venue and publicly accessible heritage archive, bringing commerce, culture and community activity together under one roof.