Design Dragons for Solent Design Awards - Public forum - Planning Advisory Service (PAS)
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En cours - juillet 2012
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Design Dragons for Solent Design Awards
The judges for the new Solent Design Awards are set to be Design Dragons as they root out the best buildings or spaces in the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) area. But, for them, the winners will only be places or spaces which enrich their communities and already it’s attracting plenty of entries. Director of CABE Space and Government Adviser, Sarah Gaventa, says:”We’re going to be extremely critical of schemes that don’t contribute or make a real difference to their neighbourhoods. These awards are all about making great places for people and communities – not just isolated good-looking buildings or spaces.” The Awards will reward buildings or public spaces where design has created something outstanding, lifting the quality of the community in which it sits. “We live among some beautiful buildings and public spaces but sadly among some hideous ones too,” says Paul Grover, Chief Executive of the Solent Centre for Architecture and Design (SCA+D), the competition organisers. “We want more beauty here and by recognising design which is visionary but practical, imaginative and uplifting, contributing to the wider community rather than being just a building. The Solent Design Awards will show how great design solutions can contribute real social and economic value. “ Top built environment professionals have joined the judging panel. They include: · Director of Public Space at the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, Sarah Gaventa, the former host of Channel 4s Demolition Detectives, author of ‘New Public Spaces’ and a writer and broadcaster appearing regularly radio’s Front Row and BBC TV’s The Culture Show · Lorraine Farrelly, Deputy Head of the School of Architecture at the University of Portsmouth, author and expert on urban design · Roger Zogolovitch, Chairman of Lake Estates, a specialist developer whose passion for design has enabled his company to transform redundant industrial buildings into modern offices much in demand · Lisa Jackson, a town planner and urban designer as well as a sustainability specialist and master planner. She emphasises the practical and happily explains in her cv that she has designed everything from city quarters to kitchen extensions Paul Grover says that the essence of a winning entry will be the way it demonstrates a richer life for its users, contributing to the economic, domestic and cultural environment in which it sits. “We need more buildings and spaces where people want to spend time,” says Paul. “Where is our equivalent of Barcelona’s La Ramblas, where design has turned a crumbling local economy into a huge tourist centre - connecting the City to the waterfront and adding value to the life of the city as a whole? Closer to home the award-winning Jubilee Library in Brighton has transformed an uninspiring part of the City, helping to create a new cultural quarter. They’re both places where people value place and space.” ENDS Note: The Awards are sponsored by The Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH) Quality Places Panel, and uniquely, from the 15th September, the public can vote online for their winner. The Awards include an overall winner, a sustainability winner and the public’s top choice. It’s organised by the Solent Centre for Architecture + Design (SCA+D), and any building or development completed after April 1st 2005 can be entered, and these can be nominated by anyone: architects, contractors, clients, local authorities or members of the public. Full details at www.solentdesignawards.org.uk and submissions must be received by 5.00 pm on 20th August 2010.
The Portsmouth University Library extension and Wellstead Primary School in Hedge End, Eastleigh were celebrated as the best “Quality Places” at the first Solent Design Awards Ceremony held in Winchester last night. They were the selection of an expert panel while, in an online ballot by the local community, the “Community Champion” was also Portsmouth University Library. Congratulating the winners, Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Chair of PUSH Quality Places Group, sponsors of the Award Scheme, said: “Good design can make great places and these buildings underline that - and the community shares that view, judging by our online poll. I hope that when thinking about future projects all investors and developers, whether public or private, will remember this message and create places which the community can value.” Paul Grover, Chief Executive of the Solent Centre for Architecture and Design (SCA+D), who organised the Awards on behalf of the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH), believes the winners will set design standards for others to follow; “The Solent awards show what can be achieved when all the partners in the design process come together with the intention of creating great places. We were really impressed by the designs on the shortlist and are sure they will act as beacons for others to follow in the future.” Crime novelist PD James, when she opened the new building at Portsmouth University said: “For me the library is at the heart of any institution of learning” –as good a citation for the Solent Design Awards as any. For these awards are the first in the UK to recognise design excellence and how that creates a sense of place which its community values. The Library had to be extended to meet the demands of growing student numbers and their expectations of a high quality learning environment. The new building has added an enhanced IT area, with 250 desktop computers, group study rooms, teaching rooms with the latest training and presentation facilities as well as a cafe. It bridges over the entrance to a public park to which it provides a gateway and is accessed from a new urban square which provides space for students to congregate as well as enjoy an alfresco extension to the cafe in summer. Designed by Penoyre & Prasad and built by VolkerFitzpatrick, it complements the existing building and even includes replicated fortifications from Napoleonic times. Sympathy with the environment as well as with an eye to sustainability, the building has been designed to minimise energy usage having a natural ventilation system, rainwater harvesting and a sedum roof. Sarah Gaventa, Director of Public Space at the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, who chaired the judging panel says: “The Library impressed through its successful marriage of the existing with the new. The best of the old was respected and referenced while creating a bright and light place to study, with the added plus of a high quality green public space which ensures the project is not only of great benefit to students and staff but the wider community of Portsmouth.” The second “Quality Place” was Wellstead Primary School, a new building set on a former farm in the Hedge End housing development in Southampton. Designed by Hampshire County Council’s architects’ department and built by BAM Construction, it is set round a courtyard, with the main teaching block on one side and the administrative and social block on the other. A library and glass passageway completes the four sides. The glass provides the necessary security but at the same time allows the school to be visually connected to the community outside. Sustainable technology giving high environmental performance includes ground source heat pumps, solar heat pumps and smart energy meters. Trees dating back to the days of the farm provide a beautiful backdrop; it’s a lively and well thought out learning environment which adds a central focus for the local community. “As soon as you walk into the school, there’s just a wonderful atmosphere, a building full of buzz and laughter,” says Sarah Gaventa. “The openness of the architecture, the brightness and airiness of the rooms, the quiet and well designed courtyard - all demonstrate the love and care which has gone into creating this elegant building. Any pupil or teacher would be proud to be at this school.” ENDS