Design Awards honour quality in building

Innovative new build, sustainable construction, enhancement of a historic property - good design ideas of every kind are being sought by the Royal Borough for its Design Awards.

Royal Borough residents and businesses are invited to nominate any scheme, completed between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2009, that they consider the best of new development in the borough.

This year the categories have been themed to allow awards to be given in a number of specialist areas:
• New build - can be large- or small-scale development, single building or group of buildings and related open spaces
• Renovations or extensions - including small-scale domestic extensions, adaptation of redundant buildings and new shopfronts
• Sustainable design - aimed at projects that best apply the principles of sustainable design and construction. Can be new build, conversions, small-scale extensions or schemes that may not have required planning permission
• Historic environment / conservation - including alterations, extensions or conversions to historic buildings, or a new building which has been designed to enhance the character and appearance of a conservation area or historic setting
• Designed open space and the public realm - public or private spaces designed to relate to the surrounding environment.

Cllr Alison Knight, lead member for planning and development, said: "New builds, extensions and renovations have the potential to enhance or alter the character of their area, which is why high quality design, appropriate for its location, is so vital.

"These awards show we are committed to good design in local planning, and they give residents the chance to nominate their favourite schemes. We also recognise the creative and positive work of architects, designers and builders within the borough and invite them to submit their projects for consideration.

"If a new scheme pleases your eye, this is your chance to let us know!"

The Design Awards scheme has been celebrating the best of building development in the borough since 1993. Previous winners have included the New Schools building at Eton College, a contemporary yet sympathetic extension to a listed building and the Alpine housing scheme in Maidenhead, an environmentally aware project which made use of sustainable building techniques and technology.

Nominations can be made at www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/pp_design_awards_scheme.htm or by emailing planning.policy@rbwm.gov.uk or visiting your local library.

The deadline for entries is Friday 3 September and a judging panel will choose from the shortlisted entries in mid-October.

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