14 January 2010

Leicester Civic Society now launches its search for the winning buildings of 2009. We will be giving one award for ‘Restoration’ in the context of the historic built environment and one award for ‘New Build’ specifically where that compliments the historic built environment of the City of Leicester.

Members will recall our 2008 winners. In the ‘New Build’ category the award went to the new David Wilson Library at the University of Leicester. The award was presented to the University of Leicester and Associated Architects for their outstanding modern design. In the ‘Restoration’ category the award was presented to Mr. James Van Oppen for his splendid restoration of the 1923 Pfister & Vogel Warehouse, as “The Leather Factors” at 78-80 Rutland Street. Our guest of honour, Keith Hamilton, Chairman of the Leicestershire Historic Buildings Trust, presented the awards.

What next? This link take you to a MicroSoft Word form allowing you to nominate a building for an award. Click here if you require it as a pdf. Nominations must fulfil the criteria of the awards, be within the City of Leicester and have achieved substantial completion during 2009. The awards go from strength to strength and we already have a record seven nominations for 2009. These are Civic Society Awards and we want Civic Society members to take the lead in nominating entries. The deadline is Saturday 13th February 2010. After this date the awards panel will meet to make site visits and decide upon the winners.

We are delighted to announce that on Friday 9th April 2010 our guests of honour, The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor of Leicester Councillor Roger Blackmore and The Lady Mayoress Mrs. Hilary Blackmore, will present the awards at the City Rooms, Hotel Street, Leicester. Mr. Naresh Parmar, proprietor of the City Rooms has once again most kindly offered to part sponsor this year’s awards ceremony and dinner. Cost of the three-course dinner including wine has been held at £25.00 through Mr. Parmar’s generosity. As in previous years, members wishing to attend the awards ceremony only and meet the winners will once again have the chance to do so for just £3.00. Full details will be published in Leicester Citizen No.21 due out on 2nd March 2010.

Please participate and make your awards scheme a success. But remember, nominating is not restricted to Society members. Anyone can nominate a building. In the ‘New Build’ category the 2008 winner and both commendations all went on to win prestigious 2009 Royal Institute of British Architects Awards. Encouraging and celebrating restoration and design excellence in historic Leicester is a noble cause and one in which Leicester Civic Society is proud to be taking the lead.

Restoration of the Historic Built Environment of the City of Leicester.	New build complimenting the Historic Built Environment of the City of Leicester.
1) Former St. John’s Church of England School, Clarendon Park Road. (Stoneygate conservation area) Conversion to apartments. The owners have appreciated the building’s potential and have shown care in preserving its character. Their architects have been ingenious in configuring the interior and adding ground floor windows to the façade without compromising it. The builders have shown skill in the unobtrusive use of quality new brickwork. These are essential elements in Stoneygate’s historic built environment. Modern builders with skills comparable to their Victorian predecessors are too often undervalued.	1) New James Went Building, Wyggeston & QE College, Victoria Park Road (Compliments the setting of neighbouring listed buildings at Leicester University) Built to house business studies, economics and the visual and performing arts curricula of Wyggeston & Queen Elizabeth College, this new building sits on the edge of the school and Leicester University campus overlooking Victoria Park Road. The architect is to be congratulated for the manner in which the building both blends with surrounding buildings and sits in the space. This is enhanced by an interior with lots of light and a feeling of spaciousness. There are many ‘green’ features and students enjoy working in the building.
2) Outbuildings at Belgrave Hall (Grade 2-star listed building) 300 year old stable block and outbuildings transformed as Belgrave Craft Village as part of a major City Council refurbishment scheme. The stable block has been refurbished to house improved visitor facilities, as well as new training and meeting facilities, and a pottery kiln. The outbuildings feature six starter business units, rented out to local arts and crafts organisations.	2) Phoenix Square Digital Media Centre, Midland Street (Adjoins & compliments St. George’s conservation area) With three-screen cinema, digital art gallery, business units, apartments and cafeteria all in one building, Phoenix Square is a major and highly original addition to the City’s Cultural Quarter, and a significant upgrade on the facilities previously provided by the former Phoenix Arts Centre.
3) The Gimson Houses, Glenfield Road (Buildings of Local Interest List) Restoration of 1884 villas by Charles Baker for the Gimson family. Previously threatened with demolition for the construction of a block of poor quality flats by a housing association, following massive public protest these splendid houses were rescued by Jamie Lewis Residential Lettings and have undergone careful restoration as low cost apartments.	3) Extension to Charnwood Junior School (Grade 2 Listed Building) Permanent replacement classrooms for temporary mobile buildings have transformed an area, which despite the listed school building, was perceived as both dull and dark. The new building is both brightly coloured and welcoming.
4) Former Challis & Hall Shop front, Humberstone Gate East (St. George’s conservation area) Sensitive restoration of decaying shop front with grant aid by Leicester City Council.	4) Extension to Sparkenhoe Primary School. (Adjoins & compliments South Highfields conservation area) Three new classrooms for existing school. New building blends with the existing and is an invaluable community asset.