Holder Mathias Architects’ Houses at Clyne in Swansea have been shortlisted by the Royal Society of Architects in Wales as one of the five Welsh buildings in the run for this years RIBA regional awards.

In the running are The Houses at Clyne in Swansea by Holder Mathias Architects; St David’s Cathedral cloister project by Caroe & Partners; Newport City footbridge by Grimshaw; Ysgol Ifor Bach primary school in Abertridwr, South Glamorgan, by van Heyningen & Haward and Blaenavon World Heritage Centre by Purcell Miller Tritton.

The winners will be announced by RSAW on May 29, 2008.

The project is a residential development that comprises 15 detached houses and the conversion of a coach house into three town houses. It is set in the grounds of Clyne Castle in Swansea. The Castle has been converted into apartments by local architect Dewi Evans.

The design of the new houses is a blend of modern influences as a direct response to program, site and context. They establish a renewed visual dialogue between the Castle and its grounds and respect the historic context, avoiding the need to resort to pastiche.

Rendering of the building object was realistic but the background mixing is a bit odd. It should be better if the background pointed at approximately the same light source with the object. About the design it looks like a modern castle rock. Personaly I wouldn't pick that style for a house coz it has no soul and needs more color and textures. Perhaps for a public building like a library or clinic should fit.