This weeks blog features an L&H project which has just received a high-profile international award…

Lewis and Hickey recently attended the annual Civic Trust Awards ceremony in Edinburgh. We were delighted to accept a ‘Community Recognition Award‘ for our Westfield Folkhouse Project in Nottinghamshire. The project was also shortlisted for ‘The Selwyn Goldsmith Award for Universal Design‘.

From 306 international entries, 52 unique and inspiring projects were recognised at the Dinner. Awards were presented by Patron, Architect and TV presenter George Clarke and Civic Trust Awards Managing Director Malcolm Hankey.

About The Civic Trust Awards; Originally established in 1959, the CT Awards aim to recognise the very best in architecture, design, planning, landscape and public art. Awards are given to projects of the highest quality design. As one of the longest standing built environment awards schemes in Europe, they have given over 6,500 awards during the last 52 years.

Community Recognition Awards are given to projects that provide a positive social, cultural, environmental or economic benefit to the local community.

About the project: The original  c.1830’s built Grade II listed building has been lovingly restored and a contemporary new-build extension integrated, to deliver a new youth centre facility designed to meet the needs and aspirations of young people and promote their personal development. The building has been actively used as a Youth Centre since just after the second world war, but was in need of investment and adaption to reflect modern needs, not least of which improved accessibility for all. Nottinghamshire County Council, Mansfield District Council, myplace funders and the voluntary sector partners were fully engaged and involved through a series of consultations, including workshops, presentations and interviews. A young people’s management committee was specifically established to liaise and consult with user groups from the youth community regarding all aspects of the building including design features, activities and resources to ensure the centre focussed on social inclusivity.

Adrian Hollis, director of architecture, from our Nottingham office led the project from inception to completion. He said “This was a challenging project of two halves. It included the delicate and sensitive restoration of a listed building, juxtaposed by a contemporary and complementary new-build extension. Delivering a unique, complex project like this takes a huge amount of time and dedication to get right – we are very happy with the completed development and its an honour for us to be receiving recognition for it.”

• For more information on on the ‘myplace’ use of the building and the story through its realisation, click here.
• To see BBC news coverage, including a video, of the opening last year, click here.
• To download a pdf copy of the Civic Trust Awards Brochure for 2012, click here.