Success by design
New buildings and conservation schemes across the borough have been battling for success in the hotly contested Southend Design Awards.
These awards, organised annually by Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, since 1994, aim to recognise and encourage excellence in local development.
Five awards were available:
The judging panel was chaired by Executive Councillor for Planning, Councillor Jonathan Garston, and included representatives from the RIBA, RPTI, RICS and a local Conservation Society.
They awarded an unprecedented seven prizes due to the impressive quality of this year’s entries. These are:
New Build Award and Outright Winner:
Futures College, Southchurch Boulevard, Southend – new college building
Architects: Fraser, Brown MacKenna
“The new college building is of exceptional design quality and every aspect of the building from the overall vision to the smallest detail has been carefully considered and fully integrated into the design. The sustainability and public safety aspects of the design were particularly noted and that the building has clearly had a positive effect on the pupils which of course was its primary aim.”
Conservation & Sustainability Award:
Prittlewell Chapel, North Road Cemetery – Building renovation
Architects: Urbanology
“The renovation of the chapel building was of particularly high quality and has brought a new lease of life to this important historic landmark. The panel were particularly impressed with the way that the sustainability features and input from local school children had been sensitively integrated into the scheme.”
New Build Commendation:
University Square Student Accommodation, London Road, Southend – new building
Architects: Stephen Marshall Architects
“University Square Student Accommodation Block is a unique building that has become a new landmark for the town centre. The internal courtyard environment is very successful and gives this part of the building a completely different feel to the external areas which, it is hoped, would be enlivened by activity in retail units in due course.”
Public Space Commendation:
City Beach, Southend – public realm scheme
Designers: Gromtmij (formerly Whitelaw Turkington)
“The City Beach Public Realm Scheme has transformed the central seafront area and has succeeded in further improving the link from the High Street. The panel are of the opinion that this scheme is likely to have a positive social and economic impact on this area and that it will make a significant contribution to Southend’s tourist offer.”
Conservation Commendation:
Clements Arcade, Broadway, Leigh – Building extension and renovation
Designers: Welton Bremner Partnership
“The extension of Clements Arcade is well executed and has created an attractive shopping environment. The Panel were particularly impressed with the quality of the stonework and how closely it matched the original detailing.”
Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Executive Councillor for Planning, Councillor Jonathan Garston said: “This competition is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the architectural ideas and innovations across the town.
“This year the panel has chosen some extremely varied and distinguished winners. These buildings and projects are a credit to Southend and help us to develop our current and future heritage.”
