The John Lewis Partnership Heritage Centre, in Cookham, Berkshire, has won the Best Small Commercial Building and Best Change of Use of an Existing Building or Conversion categories at the Central LABC Building Excellence Awards.

Constructed by building and refurbishment specialist, Conamar and designed by FSP Architects, the heritage centre has enabled two historical collections (John Lewis’s business archives and the Cummersdale Design collection), containing works from William Morris and Lucienne Day, to be housed together for the very first time.

The new 6,350 sq ft (590 sq m) pattern-viewing building and archive centre was built to hold the Partnership’s textile collection, which dates back to the 1790s. As well as constructing the building, Conamar also completed a full refurbishment of the existing pottery building that was used to make items for John Lewis stores during the Second World War. An exhibition space also houses a permanent pottery collection where it is hoped that craft workshops will be run.

Neil Dower, Managing Director of Conamar, said: “This has been a fantastic and challenging project and we’re pleased to have been involved. We have helped create a building that will continue the preservation of these archives well into the future. It will be a place where John Lewis Partners and the public will be able to appreciate our country’s culture and heritage first-hand.”

The completed centre has helped celebrate two important dates in 2014 – the 100th anniversary of the formation of the John Lewis Partnership, and the 150th anniversary of the first John Lewis shop in Oxford Street, London.

As winner at the regional awards, The John Lewis Partnership Heritage Centre has been automatically entered into the national awards, which will be announced at LABC National Building Excellence Awards 2014 on Tuesday 11 November at The Brewery in London.