Preston Tower, Doocot and Gardens shortlisted for the 2026 RIAS Awards
Preston Tower is among 14 shortlisted projects in the 2026 RIAS Awards.
This recognition affirms GRAS’s approach to conservation and the collaborative process that shaped the project. Preston Tower, a scheduled monument, is defined as much by its community as by its fabric. A phased, light-touch repair strategy guided the work, bringing together local contractors, conservation specialists, archaeologists and residents to deliver a series of modest yet transformative interventions. These included the consolidation of fragile stonework, the introduction of new galvanised metalwork and the insertion of a metal and stone stair that enables safe access while revealing the site’s historical evolution. Each decision was developed through close dialogue with the client, the community and within the realities of public funding. The project reflects a commitment to long-term resilience, contextual design and shared stewardship.
Our thanks to RIAS for recognising conservation as a public act, grounded in care, collaboration and the future of place. Congratulations to our clients, the project team and the community who have safeguarded the monument’s future, and to Natasha Huq, GRAS lead on the project, for guiding a complex and deeply collaborative process with clarity and commitment.