The search is on to find the Solent’s most show-stopping building projects.
The Solent Design Awards 2016 have launched today and those behind the biennial event are on the hunt for buildings that have transformed their surroundings, making a positive impact on people and places.
Businesses and local authorities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are urged to enter their show-stopping developments to be in with a chance of winning one of the coveted awards.
The categories for this year have been announced as:
- The Quality Residential Place Award– for the best residential scheme
- The People’s Choice Award – the project that receives the most online votes from the public
- The Quality Place Award – given to the best scheme in all categories, the Quality Place Award is open to any placemaking project, be it public or private sector and a single building or an entire development
Paul Ramshaw, from the Quality Places Practitioners’ Group which is organising the event, said the competition will be tough this year based on the way the Solent’s skyline has evolved since the last awards.
“There has been significant investment in the region in recent years, with some outstanding buildings really changing the way residents and visitors interact with their surroundings,” he said. “Judges won’t just be looking for examples of great architecture, but importantly schemes which bring a sense of place and make the Solent a better place to live, work and study.”
Previous winners of the awards have included the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth, Ryde School on the Isle of Wight, Southampton’s SeaCity Museum and the St Alphege Learning & Teaching Building at the University of Winchester.
Paul added: “The 2014 entries were outstanding and it certainly leaves a tough bill to follow but there have been some fantastic projects across the Solent in the last two years and I can’t wait to see the entries.”
“I would also like to thank our commercial partners. Without their support and commitment, we wouldn’t have these awards. Their help is invaluable.”
A wealth of local businesses have backed this year’s awards. Headline sponsor is Barratt Homes, which is joined by Grosvenor Britain & Ireland, Vignale from Hendy FordStore, Taylor Made Computer Solutions and Hampshire & Regional Property Group.
Tim Hill, managing director of Barratt and David Wilson Homes in Southampton, said: “It is our absolute pleasure to support the Solent Design Awards 2016, which share our values about creating quality places that have a positive impact on their surroundings. Our business is about so much more than building houses; it’s about creating communities for future generations and I for one am excited to see the projects put forward for this year’s awards.”
To find out more about this year’s awards and download an entry form visit www.solentdesignawards.org.uk
