Clare County Council today announced the launch of its Design and Conservation Awards Scheme 2011 for the county.
The Awards Scheme follows from and builds on a similar Awards Scheme held by Clare County Council in 2005. Buildings completed or refurbished in County Clare between 1st January, 2005 and 30th April, 2011 are eligible under the Scheme. Nominations or submissions will be open to any owner, designer, contractor, community group or other member of the public.
“The main objectives of the Scheme will be to foster and reward excellence in the built environment and to raise public awareness of good design and conservation”, indicated Councillor Christy Curtin, Mayor of Clare
He continued: “The Council recognises the importance of the quality of our built environment and that good quality design makes a significant contribution to our well being and quality of life. Over the past decade, architecture has enjoyed a period of achievement. A number of well-designed buildings including public buildings, schools, housing, commercial and leisure buildings have been developed. In addition, public interest in and appreciation of good quality design has grown.”
Mairead O’Donovan, Administrative Officer, Clare County Council commented: “Good quality design of the built environment is a legacy for future generations. Clare County Council would like to encourage and promote good design. It is intended that the nomination and submission procedures will be kept as simple as possible in order to encourage members of the public to participate in the Scheme.”
“It is recognised that there are a number of Awards at a national level in the area of architecture and it is not intended to compete with or duplicate these but rather to reward at a more local level”, Ms. O’Donovan added.
There are a number of additional categories in the 2011 Awards Scheme as set out below:
• Category A: Best New Single House in the Countryside
• Category B: Best New Single House in a Town/Village
• Category C: Best New Residential Development
• Category D: Best Reuse/Refurbishment and/or Extension
• Category E: Best New Commercial Building
• Category F: Best New Civic Building
• Category G: Best Conservation Project
• Category H: Best New Infill Development
• Category I: Best New Shop Front/Refurbished Shop Front
• Category J: Best New Sustainable Development/Green Technology
• Category K: Best Innovation Awards
• Category L: Best Accessibility/Social Inclusion Awards
Entries will be judged by an independent panel of assessors. The assessment criteria will include the contribution to the quality of the built environment, build and workmanship quality, quality of professional design, functionality, sustainability, originality and innovation in approach and most importantly the extent to which the entry may serve as a role model.
According to Ms. O’Donovan: “The quality of our architecture and built environment make a significant contribution to our well being. Good design does not have to be expensive or exclusive and should be accessible to all.
“In particular, the Council would encourage applicants for one off houses in the county to seek good design advice. ‘There is a considerable difference between somebody who can draw plans and somebody who can design. It is an investment that will pay for itself many times over in terms of the enjoyment of the dwelling and its value.
“The Council through both its development control and planning policy functions has long since had a key role in this area but it also recognises that in addition it has a role to play in fostering and rewarding excellence in the built environment and it is within this overall aim that the Design and Conservation Awards Scheme sits”, she concluded.
The Awards Scheme has been prepared in consultation with the Council’s Strategic Policy Committee for Planning, Land Use and Transportation.
The closing date for receipt of nominations is Friday 15 July 2011. For more contact the Planning section of Clare County Council on 065-6846401 or visit www.clarecoco.ie.
The Awards Scheme follows from and builds on a similar Awards Scheme held by Clare County Council in 2005. Buildings completed or refurbished in County Clare between 1st January, 2005 and 30th April, 2011 are eligible under the Scheme. Nominations or submissions will be open to any owner, designer, contractor, community group or other member of the public.
“The main objectives of the Scheme will be to foster and reward excellence in the built environment and to raise public awareness of good design and conservation”, indicated Councillor Christy Curtin, Mayor of Clare
He continued: “The Council recognises the importance of the quality of our built environment and that good quality design makes a significant contribution to our well being and quality of life. Over the past decade, architecture has enjoyed a period of achievement. A number of well-designed buildings including public buildings, schools, housing, commercial and leisure buildings have been developed. In addition, public interest in and appreciation of good quality design has grown.”
Mairead O’Donovan, Administrative Officer, Clare County Council commented: “Good quality design of the built environment is a legacy for future generations. Clare County Council would like to encourage and promote good design. It is intended that the nomination and submission procedures will be kept as simple as possible in order to encourage members of the public to participate in the Scheme.”
“It is recognised that there are a number of Awards at a national level in the area of architecture and it is not intended to compete with or duplicate these but rather to reward at a more local level”, Ms. O’Donovan added.
There are a number of additional categories in the 2011 Awards Scheme as set out below:
• Category A: Best New Single House in the Countryside
• Category B: Best New Single House in a Town/Village
• Category C: Best New Residential Development
• Category D: Best Reuse/Refurbishment and/or Extension
• Category E: Best New Commercial Building
• Category F: Best New Civic Building
• Category G: Best Conservation Project
• Category H: Best New Infill Development
• Category I: Best New Shop Front/Refurbished Shop Front
• Category J: Best New Sustainable Development/Green Technology
• Category K: Best Innovation Awards
• Category L: Best Accessibility/Social Inclusion Awards
Entries will be judged by an independent panel of assessors. The assessment criteria will include the contribution to the quality of the built environment, build and workmanship quality, quality of professional design, functionality, sustainability, originality and innovation in approach and most importantly the extent to which the entry may serve as a role model.
According to Ms. O’Donovan: “The quality of our architecture and built environment make a significant contribution to our well being. Good design does not have to be expensive or exclusive and should be accessible to all.
“In particular, the Council would encourage applicants for one off houses in the county to seek good design advice. ‘There is a considerable difference between somebody who can draw plans and somebody who can design. It is an investment that will pay for itself many times over in terms of the enjoyment of the dwelling and its value.
“The Council through both its development control and planning policy functions has long since had a key role in this area but it also recognises that in addition it has a role to play in fostering and rewarding excellence in the built environment and it is within this overall aim that the Design and Conservation Awards Scheme sits”, she concluded.
The Awards Scheme has been prepared in consultation with the Council’s Strategic Policy Committee for Planning, Land Use and Transportation.
The closing date for receipt of nominations is Friday 15 July 2011. For more contact the Planning section of Clare County Council on 065-6846401 or visit www.clarecoco.ie.
