AN ARCHITECT firm which designed the building of a new Kidderminster school and Wyre Forest Crematorium has picked up a gong for its projects.

Howl Associates, in Birmingham Road, Kidderminster, scooped the Architects Practice of the Year title in the Insider Property Awards. The firm was set up by Phil Howl in Hagley in 1993 before moving to Shrubbery House, when it expanded two years later.

Since then it has won awards for its design of the new St George’s Primary School and Wyre Forest Crematorium.

Mr Howl said: “We were very pleasantly surprised to hear Howl Associates had been nominated for this prestigious property award and even more so when we found out we had made the shortlist alongside some very big names in the profession.

“To ultimately be an nounced as winners at the recent awards dinner was absolutely amazing.

"We have recently picked up two RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) regional awards for our designs for Wyre Forest’s new crematorium and for St George’s Primary School, which are both in Kidderminster, but it’s great this latest award recognises the work of the practice as a whole.

“As architects we constantly strive to produce well-considered buildings that have a positive impact upon the quality of life of those who use them.”

He said they are now designing a subterranean hotel and planning to convert a Victorian abbey into a wedding venue and conference centre.