Wokingham

There is extra time to nominate a project into the competition for recent good building design in the Wokingham district, now that the deadline has been extended until February 16, 2007.

Sponsored by chairman of Wokingham District council Cllr Angus Ross, entry into the competition is free and offers an opportunity to win valuable recognition. All buildings completed since January 2000 by anyone, including local residents, businesses or organisations, are eligible and can be entered into the following categories:

· single house or house extension
· development of two or more houses
· commercial development
· community development
· rural development, development in a conservation area or on a listed building
· environmentally friendly construction including use of renewable materials, energy sources and high spec insulation.

Wokingham Cllr Angus Ross said: “I believe that we must promote and celebrate good building design in the Wokingham district, in both urban and rural areas, so it’s important that we acknowledge the work of those who have made a vital contribution to our architectural heritage. Developers and architects have a major influence on quality of life and competitions like this can help enhance the reputations of those whose work is especially good. Equally, sensitive extensions to buildings must be encouraged. Finally we need to promote and support environmentally friendly construction, so this is an additional category into which we welcome entries.”

The judges panel will comprise of architects Andrew Plumridge from Peter Scott and Partners and Geoff Noble, head of design review at SE Regional Design Panel, along with with Cllr Angus Ross and the council’s historic environment champion, Cllr Annette Drake.

Winners will be announced and prizes awarded at a special ceremony at the Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham on April 3, 2007 followed by a display of the winning entries in the Mall Gallery and publication of a brochure to show the best building designs in the district since 2000.

Building developments nominated for the competition must be located in the Wokingham district and must have been completed since January 2000. Entry forms can be downloaded from the council’s website at www.wokingham.gov.uk or by calling the chairman’s secretary Ann Marie Bonwick on (0118) 974 6004. All nominees must provide a photo and, if possible, plans and a statement supporting their nomination. Current owners of the building or development must also be notified.

Wokingham District Council