In the first competition of its kind in Mid Sussex, architects of award-winning new buildings in the District, received their prizes from the Hon Nicholas Soames MP, at Wakehurst Place today.

The Mid Sussex Architecture Awards, a new Mid Sussex District Council initiative, was launched this year to celebrate and promote excellence in local architectural design. The awards presentation ceremony was hosted by Cllr. Edward King, chairman of MSDC.

“The District is a very desirable place to live because of its location and its astounding natural beauty,” said Mr King at the awards ceremony today. “With increasing pressure for more building in the whole of the South East, it has never been more important to make sure that the quality and design of our new buildings is the best it can be. We have an enviable heritage of some wonderful ancient buildings. The Council wants to encourage the sort of design and construction that will create a similar legacy for future generations.”

Nicholas Soames MP participated in the Awards Ceremony. He commented “There is no challenge more important than that new developments should be thoughtfully, carefully and sustainably designed and that current and future best practice is enforced. Nationally, design has been greatly neglected and Mid Sussex has a real chance to lead the field.”

In March this year, registered architects were invited to submit entries in one of three categories in the competition, for a building or development that had been completed during the past three years. Serving on the panel of judges were: Graham Whitehouse RIBA (chair), Chairman of Mid Sussex Architects’ Design Panel and principal of the Graham Whitehouse practice; Michael Rowan RIBA, West Sussex County Council Conservation Architect; Robert Powell RIBA, MRTPI architect and urban designer for MSDC and Dennis Matthews MRTPI, Principal Planner MSDC.

In early August, the panel visited the nine short-listed entries, from which winners and commended projects in each category were chosen. The judging took account of the contribution made by clients and development teams in each case.

The Winners

The winner of Category 1, for a single dwelling or small development of fewer than 15 units was Comprehensive Design Architects of Brighton, for Osborne Mews in Victoria Park, Haywards Heath, which was described by members of the panel as ‘an exemplary approach to terraced housing’, ‘a development that maximises its park views’ and having ‘good modern detailing and well designed interior spaces’.

In the same category, Peter Hulbert, Chartered Architect of Tunbridge Wells, received a commendation for Many Waters, an innovative house in an idyllic Ardingly location.

The winning entry in Category 2, for a housing development of more than 16 dwellings, including affordable housing, was submitted by Alex Russell of the Omega Partnership in Claygate, for Bolnore Village in Haywards Heath. The submission related to 100 houses in Phase 1 of the development and part of Phase 2. ‘Compared with other developments on the same scale, this one stands apart’, and ‘it successfully distils the architectural style and language of mid Sussex villages’, were amongst the comments made by the judges.

In Category 3, for a conservation project which demonstrates excellent preservation, restoration, adaptive re-use or new build in the context of a listed building, the winner was Cindy Walters of Walters and Cohen of London NW5 for The Stables Restaurant at Wakehurst Place. ‘An uncompromising modern and exciting building, which performs well both functionally and visually’, ‘it juxtaposes a modern building with one that is part of local historical heritage. Both old and new are strong enough to hold their own’ were comments made by the judges.

There were two commended entries in Category 3. Joanna Saady of Ecotecture in Bolney designed the restoration of the Grade II listed Cobbs Mill in Hurstpierpoint which was described as a ‘thorough and praiseworthy restoration project’ by the judges. Another commended entry in Category 3 was submitted by Jenny Lewin of Buriton in Hampshire for the extension to the 15th Century Septima Cottage in Fulking. ‘A little jewel, demonstrating care and attention to detail by a sensitive architect’ said a judge.

For more information please contact Martin Burrekoven-Kalve on 01444 477240 01444 477240 or martinbk@midsussex.gov.uk