Welsh Local Design Awards 2008
Organised by the Civic Trust for Wales in partnership with the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, Disability Wales and Cadw, the historic environment service of the Welsh Assembly Government
The Civic Trust for Wales is once again calling for entries for the Welsh Local Design Awards.
The Awards celebrate good design in a local context. We believe that the best people to recognise the contribution of design to a distinctive sense of place are those who live or work in the local community. Nominations may come from civic societies, local disability groups, amenity societies or similar organisations. Participation is also invited from members of the Institute of Historic Building Conservation working in historic building conservation within Wales.
General criteria
Schemes should represent good design, appropriate to context. They may be of any type and scale. Projects may be new buildings or structures, or involve conservation or restoration/re-use. They may display innovative or contemporary design solutions, respond to user needs, and contribute to a sustainable, enjoyable, safe and secure environment.
Projects should have been completed since January 2000. Civic societies and other groups can enter projects that they have recognised in their own award schemes.
Special awards
In addition to the general awards, all entries will be considered for special awards in the following categories:
- new design
- innovative access solutions (a) in an historic context/structure (b) in a new development
- new design in an historic context
- conservation/restoration/re-use
- creation or conservation of artefacts in the built environment, for example, war memorials, architectural detailing, ironwork, public art
The number and level of special awards or commendations in each category will be at the discretion of the assessors.
The award for innovative access in an historic context is supported by Cadw.
The award for innovative access solutions in new development is supported by Disability Wales.
The award for new design in an historic context is supported by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation.
Assessment
These awards are different because they seek a bottom-up appraisal, rather than a top-down judgement on local design. They aim to focus attention on schemes that are successful in a local context and set a standard for future schemes. Schemes should be sympathetic to their surroundings and contribute to a sense of place.
A panel drawn from project partners will screen nominations. All schemes that successfully respond to the general criteria will be recognised.
Special awards and commendations The expert panel will, where appropriate, propose that special awards or commendations be made in each category. Site visits may be made to support the assessment process.
Providing evidence to support a nominations
Try to say briefly, in straightforward language, why the project submitted is successful – in other words, why you like or admire it, and why it enhances the local scene. Images can speak louder than words, so please pay special attention to providing good visual evidence to support the nomination.
Useful resources
If you have to get technical, then you might like to take a look at the Assembly Government’s Technical Advice Note on Design, (TAN 12). Creating sustainable places (2005) sets out government sustainability and design quality expectations for all the regeneration and development projects it is asked to support. This is currently under review, but is very helpful.
Cadw’s Overcoming the Barriers on access to historic buildings and the Disability Discrimination Act is direct and informative and includes some useful case studies. English Heritage has published Easy Access to Historic Buildings which offers practical guidance and lots of illustrated examples of how inclusive access can be achieved in historic buildings. Easy Access to Historic Landscapes may also be relevant.
Disability Wales may be able to put you in touch with a local access group and/or local authority access officer if you feel that this could be helpful in understanding and commenting on access issues in a particular case.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s briefing Creating an Inclusive Environment explains the idea of inclusive design and is a useful reference point.
The Assembly Government’s final interim guidance on access statements provides a useful definition of inclusive design and sets out the requirements imposed by planning legislation. Access statements must now accompany applications for planning permission and listed building consent.
The Design Commission for Wales will soon be publishing advice on how to build in access solutions at the early design stage.
Web references
Cadw: www.cadw.wales.gov.uk
English Heritage: www.english-heritage.org.uk
Equality and Human Rights Commission: www.equalityhumanrights.com
Design Commission for Wales: www.dcfw.org |
