Hethel centre up for design award

The dramatic and stunning Hethel Engineering Centre has emerged as the first thoroughly modern nomination for a design award in South Norfolk.

And with three weeks to go before nominations close, the race is on to put forward a rival with South Norfolk Council urging others to get their nominations in early.

David Edleston, Conservation and Design Architect, said:

"It is no surprise that Hethel is nominated. This is a particularly distinctive building, the design of which has been strongly guided by the need to provide a highly sustainable solution, with many green issues being taken into consideration.

"However, these awards are also open to the people, and not just the professionals.

"There are much-loved and well-designed play areas and other public spaces, individual homes and small extensions, barn conversions and restorations as well as landscaped external spaces out there and ready to be nominated.

"Design is not just about beauty. It is also about conservation, sustainability and energy efficiency. A combination of these and other design qualities can make your nomination a winner.

"To nominate - just go to www.south-norfolk.gov.uk for details."

The team is looking for new buildings, or groups of buildings on a single site and there is a category for building extensions, repairs, restorations or conversions.

The judges are also looking for planting or hard landscape schemes either in association with a new development or a stand alone project, for example, the enhancement of a public open space or play area.

Work on the nominated entries must have been finished on site since January 2004.

The entries can come from owners, clients, architects, designers, contractors, manufacturers, parish councils, amenity societies or any member of the public.

There is no limit to the number of entries from any one source, but in all cases they must have the consent of the owner.

Completed entry forms will need photographs and/or drawings preferably showing the site before and after completion as appropriate.

The closing date for entries is Friday 1 September 2006 and the awards will be made on 15 November.

The winners will be picked by a panel of judges from the Council, including an external assessor nominated by the Norfolk Association of Architects on behalf of the RIBA. Their decision is final.

If no nominations are considered by the panel to be of the required standard of excellence in their design, no award will be made and consideration may be given to a commendation.

Related pages

• Latest news