Civic Trust Awards 2010
Published on Mon, 15 Mar 2010
by comms@doeni.gov.uk.
Northern Ireland Schemes Achieve Civic Trust Success
Cynthia Smith the Chief Executive of Planning Service praised schemes from Northern Ireland that attained an award or special recognition in the Civic Trust awards which were announced on Friday 12 March.
St Malachy’s Church in Belfast was successful in receiving an award. Awards are given to projects that are culturally, socially or economically beneficial, and make an outstanding contribution to the quality and appearance of the built environment.
Three projects from Northern Ireland also received special recognition from the Civic Trust Awards National Panel for their strong community initiative and for the positive impact on the people they serve. These are:
- Chinese Community & Resource Centre, Belfast
- Gracehill Old School, Ballymena, Co. Antrim
- Holywood Old School, Belfast
Speaking after the awards were announced Mrs Smith said:
“This is an exceptional achievement not only for the winning entries but also for the architectural profession and the construction industry in Northern Ireland. The high number of entries across the UK means the competition gets tougher every year and success is more difficult to attain.
I hope that Northern Ireland’s success this year will encourage everyone in the industry to continue to strive to create a built environment exhibiting high quality design which makes a positive contribution to the local community.
I would also like to pass on my sincere thanks to all the judges who gave up their time to assess all the schemes.”
The Planning Service works in active partnership to co-ordinate the Civic Trust Awards in Northern Ireland. Planning Service supports the scheme’s aim to raise awareness of the everyday impact that buildings and public spaces have on our lives, and the resulting need to aspire to quality in the built environment for the benefit of everyone.
Malcolm Hankey the Managing Director of Civic Trust Awards:-
“We were delighted to see such a diverse range of projects submitted for consideration. The Civic Trust Awards celebrate not only design excellence, but also the relationship between structures, places, the environment and local communities. This year’s group of winners successfully illustrate how this relationship can produce effective and imaginative solutions. “
Notes to Editors
- Launched in 1959, the Civic Trust Awards is one of the oldest environment award schemes in Europe. They recognise the best in the built environment, from architecture to planning, townscape to infrastructure and promote the positive impact that development can have in improving quality of life.
- Awards are given to projects of the highest quality design, but only if they are judged to have made a positive contribution to the local community.
- The 2010 Awards were launched in August 2009. The closing date was Wednesday 16 September 2009.
- Planning Service is responsible for co-ordinating the Northern Ireland Awards.
- All the entries are judged by a local team, which includes an architect, inclusive design assessor, local authority co-ordinator and local advisor. Their recommendations are passed to a National Panel, which comprises built environment professionals, who confirm the level of Award.
- For media enquiries contact DOE Press Office tel. 028 9054 0003 or out of office hours call the EIS Duty Press Officer on 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.
