Civic Awards 2008 | Gloucester City Council Online

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Civic Awards 2008

The presentation of the 2008 Civic Awards took place at the Civic Suite, North Warehouse on the evening of Wednesday 9th July. The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Gloucester, Councillor Norman Ravenhill, welcomed over 80 guests from as far afield as London, Birmingham & Bristol.

To be nominated a scheme had to have been completed since 2003 and not have been nominated for the previous Civic Awards in 2006. In total 22 different schemes were nominated by the public.

The judges were impressed by the range and quality of schemes which had been put forward. After much discussion the panel decided, that in addition to the 6 Civic Awards, they would also make 7 Commendations. See below for more information.

CATEGORY 1: BEST NEW BUILDING OR EXTENSION
WINNER: 4 SPA ROAD COMMISSIONED AND BUILT BY: Juniper Homes Limited ARCHITECT: Apex Architecture Consultancy Limited A new build block of 13 apartments on an infill plot in a conservation area. The judges were impressed with the way this obviously modern structure has taken architectural references from the surrounding 18C buildings. It therefore fits in well within the context of the conservation area, without being an imitation of an earlier style.
COMMENDATION: HOME SENSE BUILDING, ST OSWALDS PARK COMMISSIONED AND BUILT BY: HAMMERSON PROPERTIES PLC MAIN CONTRACTOR: THOMAS VALE CONSTRUCTION PLC A large (2330 sq m) retail building on a prominent site on the corner of St Oswald’s Road and the main entrance to the retail park. The judges liked the fact that the full height glazing on the two main facades acts like a giant shop window as well as providing views out from the building. Other design details help to set the building apart from the usual retail ‘shed’ and make it an attractive feature at the entrance to the park.
CATEGORY 2: BEST MAJOR RESTORATION OR SENSITIVE CONVERSION
WINNER: JUDGE'S LODGINGS, SPA ROAD COMMISSIONED BY: ROBERTS WALSH PROJECTS ARCHITECT: QUATTRO DESIGN MAIN CONTRACTOR: GS LIMITED The conversion/extension of an 1830’s grade II* listed building into 15 apartments. The scheme included the restoration of a decorative plaster ceiling in the former dining room, which had been covered over since 1948. The judges were impressed with the high quality of all the restoration/conversion work, in a project which has given an historic building a new lease of life
COMMENDATION: ST PETER'S CHURCH, LONDON ROAD COMMISSIONED BY: ST PETER'S CHURCH CONTRACTORS: P&S TIMBRELL AND NICHOLSON AND CO A Heritage Lottery Grant to restore a rare solenoid organ was the catalyst for the church to carry out extensive internal re-decoration work. This included the removal of inappropriate paint from some stone arches, cleaning of stone columns and new/re-gilding of architectural features. The judges felt that the interior of this grade II* listed building had been transformed.
CATEGORY 3: BEST MINOR RESTORATION OR SENSITIVE CONVERSION
WINNER: 101 HUCCLECOTE ROAD WORK CARRIED OUT BY MR AND MRS MEULBROUCK A few years ago the owners of this semi-detached timber framed cottage discovered that it was in such a poor state of repair that it needed shoring up. Since then they have gradually restored the building. Large areas of the frame have been repaired or replaced and new wattle and daub panels have been inserted. The judges felt they wanted to recognise the significant achievement of the owners, who had no previous experience, in bringing this grade II listed building back to full health.
COMMENDATION: STATUE OF QUEEN ANNE, GLOUCESTER PARK COMMISSIONED BY: GLOUCESTER CITY COUNCIL CONTRACTOR: CLIVEDEN CONSERVATION WORKSHOP LIMITED By the early part of this century, the three hundred year old statue was badly weathered and had suffered from vandalism. As part of the improvements to the park, the City Council arranged for the statue to be cleaned, repaired and stabilised. The judges were impressed with the transformation, which would allow the statue to be better appreciated by the public.
COMMENDATION: 16 BRUNSWICK SQUARE COMMISSIONED BY: MR AND MRS R GRAHAM MAIN CONTRACTOR: SEVERNVALE PROPERTIES LIMITED After suffering from the effects of years of multiple-occupation, this grade II listed Regency property was purchased for use as a family home. It then underwent an extensive renovation. The judges felt that the changes, in particular returning rooms to their original proportions and the removal of an ugly modern rear extension had significantly enhanced the appearance of the building.
CATEGORY 4: BEST NEW OR IMPROVED SHOPFRONT
WINNER: 'HAYDEN TAYLOR', 60 - 62 WESTGATE STREET COMMISSIONED BY: HAYDEN TAYLOR MAIN CONTRACTOR: BARNWOOD SHOPFITTING LIMITED The new owners of this gent’s outfitters have replaced an ugly 1960’s shopfront with a traditional painted timber one, including retractable material blinds. The judges were particularly impressed with the improvement to the appearance of this grade II listed building, located on a prominent corner site in the City Centre Conservation Area.
COMMENDATION: 'BLUSHES', 74 - 76 WESTGATE STREET COMMISSIONED BY: BLUSHES MAIN CONTRACTOR: BARNWOOD SHOPFITTING LIMITED This hairdressing company expanded their business to include No 74 and in so doing put in a traditional painted timber shopfront, similar to their existing one. The judges felt that this resulted in a significant improvement to the appearance of this pair of grade II* listed buildings and the street frontage.
CATEGORY 5: MOST IMPROVED PUBLIC AREA
WINNER: SHIPTON SQUARE, BARGE ARM, THE DOCKS COMMISSIONED BY: THE SOUTH WEST REGAIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY DESIGNERS: GILLESPIES MAIN CONTRACTOR: BARNWOOD CONSTRUCTION A new civic square has been created in the heart of the docks from a former car park. The new paving, seating & railings are attractively lit at night. The judges were impressed with the contribution the square makes to the public area around the docks.
COMMENDATION: ST MICHAEL'S SQUARE COMMUNITY GARDEN COMMISSIONED BY: ST MICHAELS SQUARE RESIDENTS GARDEN DESIGNERS: FIRA MAIN CONTRACTOR: GEOFF ALFORD LIMITED The transformation of a scruffy overgrown area at the end of a car park, in the middle of a formal Victorian square. The judges wanted to commend the results of this community effort to create an attractively landscaped seating area, which has enhanced this part of the Eastgate & St Michael’s Conservation Area.
CATEGORY 6: BEST CLIMATE FRIENDLY SCHEME
WINNER: GLOUCESTER COLLEGE, THE DOCKS COMMISSIONED BY: GLOUCESTERSHIRE COLLEGE ARCHITECTS: ATKINS WALTERS WEBSTER MAIN CONTRACTOR: BOVIS LEND LEASE The new college has been awarded a Very Good rating under the BREEAM scheme. The judges were impressed with the range of energy saving measures which had been incorporated into the building. These include, natural ventilation throughout (except in the computer suite), waterless urinals, energy efficient appliances and numerous recycling points.
COMMENDATION: BARGE ARM FLATS, THE DOCKS COMMISSIONED BY: CREST NICHOLSON AND SOUTH WEST REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY ARCHITECTS: EDWARD CULLINAN BUILT BY: CREST NICHOLSON This new development, which has played an important role in the regeneration of the Docks, has also achieved an excellent rating under the EcoHomes scheme. The range of features which have contributed to this are, a high level of natural ventilation, U – values of walls and roofs 15% higher than the minimum required, maximising use of natural daylight and rainwater recycling for irrigating the courtyard garden.