The Portsmouth Society - News

	Portsmouth Society Design Awards 2002
News Earlier news Awards home 2001 results	The judges in the Portsmouth Society Design Awards this year were delighted that the overall quality of the entries were so high. The purpose of the awards is to raise the standard of design - in new buildings, reuses and restorations, and in landscaping. Best Restoration The Best Restoration Award goes to the spectacular restoration and conversion of Boathouse 6 in the Heritage area of Portsmouth Naval Base. This pioneering Victorian iron framed building has been given a sparkling new lease of life by master architects MacCormac, Jamieson and Prichard, in an exhilerating combination of magnificent nineteenth century structure and elegant modern insertion. Commended in the Best Restoration category were: the exemplary restoration of the Vulcan building, Gunwharf by Michael Underwood of HGP Architects, Fareham, which we are looking forward to seeing come back into new, preferably public uses; the dramatic enveloping of the tower block at Highbury College by Stephen Hole of Studio 4 Architects with new student accommodation and a new entrance to the teaching floors, which with the dramatic new library has completely transformed the previously very drab 1950s campus; the ingenious conversion of John Brown's offices in the city centre into 96 flats for the North British Housing Association, now called Chandos Rise, by Robert Benn and Associates, and the high quality conversion of the elegant 1930s office block, Coronation House on the corner of King's Road by John Bartle into desirable flats for a Jersey developer. Best New Building The judges decided that there was no one Best New Building that stood out, but they commended: 17, 17a and 18 High Street, Old Portsmouth by Alton architects, Rex Milton of Format Milton; the new classrooms at Court Lane School by Daniel Brunt of the City Architects, and St. Lukes' School's new Design Technology block and swimming pool by Portsmouth City Architects, which symbolise the high expectations of pupils in the school. The Eco House, Cedar Lodge, Warren Avenue by Ken Scadden is an interesting experiment in sustainable design, much enjoyed by the family who live there. The judges also saw the large new white Eldon building for the university's department of Art, Design and Media by Whicheloe McFarlane, enjoyed the dramatic curved roof of Highbury's new resource centre, and Persimmon's new block in Penny Street Old Portsmouth. We recognised that the Gunwharf shopping centre, designed by Geoffrey Reid Associates, is a massive achievement. Best Landscaping Best Landscaping Award goes to the beautiful and much loved Landport Community Garden, which is a shining example of community involvement and education, and a Commendation to the Porter's Garden planted and tended by the Friends of the Porter's Garden. Background Judging for the Design Competition takes place each September where our panel of judges decide which is the best new building, best restored building and best landscaping scheme completed in the City during the previous year.	New Buildings Winner None Commended 17, 17a and 18 High Street, Old Portsmouth. New classrooms at Court Lane School, Cosham. St. Lukes' School's Design Technology block and swimming pool. Restorations Joint Winners Boathouse 6, Portsmouth Naval Base. Commended Vulcan building, Gunwharf. Highbury Tower, Higbury College, Cosham. Chandos Rise, Landport. Coronation House, Southsea. Landscaping Winner Landport Community Garden Commended Porter's Garden, Dockyard Judges Mick Morris, Architect Derek Bound of the City of Southampton Society Gillian Norman and Celia Clark of the Portsmouth Society