Waltham Forest Design Awards 2009

Waltham Forest Council in partnership with the Waltham Forest Guardian newspaper is once again running the Waltham Forest Design Awards scheme this year, and is currently on the look-out for entries. Originally established in 1990 the Awards scheme was reintroduced in 2003 after a few year’s lapse to stimulate interest in architecture and urban design in the Borough, and to recognise and reward quality design. It has been a popular and successful event ever since, but due to the slump in the property market last year, too few projects were completed to warrant running the scheme in 2008. The Design Awards scheme has however been revived for 2009 and entries from both 2008 and 2009 will be eligible.

The winners of the last Design Awards held in 2007 were:

  • Best New Building – Newport School Link Block, Newport Road E10.
  • Best Restoration/Conversion –  Leytonstone Library, High Road/Church Lane E11.
  • Best Small Regeneration scheme – 47 Orford Road E17 (the former Ison’s Ironmongers).
  • Commendations were also awarded to Central Library E17, the Kingsway International Christian Centre Hoe St E17, and to Clock House, 13 Pretoria Avenue E17.

» More on Design Award winners 2007

This year’s Design Awards scheme is open to all New Buildings, Conversions, Restorations, Environmental Improvements (landscaping, public realm works etc) and Domestic additions that have been completed since October 2007. Schemes carried out in stages will still be eligible however provided a substantial stage was completed after this date. The scheme may be large or small and located anywhere in the Borough, and there is no restriction on the type or the use of the building or land involved.

Anyone may enter a building or scheme in the competition whether or not they have a direct involvement, i.e. owner, architect, builder etc, or simply have an interest, i.e. occupiers, local amenity groups etc, and there is no restriction on the number of entries that may be submitted.

Entries should however be submitted in a way which will assist the judges in reaching a decision. Photographs, drawings and other illustrative material should be made ready-mounted on card or foam board (max 90cm high x 116cm wide) for ease of display, and should be accompanied by a completed entry form and location plan. To enable entries to be displayed on the Council’s website a CD-Rom or disk containing images black and white or colour) should also be provided.

All entries should be submitted to the Urban Design Team, Environment and Regeneration, Sycamore House, Town Hall complex, Forest Road, Walthamstow E17 4JF, and the closing date for entries is Friday 30 October 2009.

Judging is planned to take place later in November, and the judging panel will include an elected member of the Council, a representative of the Waltham Forest Guardian newspaper, a representative from the Civic Society, and independent members of both the Royal Town Planning Institute and the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Details of the winning schemes will be announced at a special Awards Presentation Evening to be held later in the year, where prizewinners will receive framed certificates plus brass plaques for installation on the successful schemes.

Further details and assistance in submitting entries can be obtained by contacting Guy Osborne at Waltham Forest Council on 0208 496 6737 or at guy.osborne@walthamforest.gov.uk

Contact us

Sustainable Communities
Environment and Regeneration
Waltham Forest Council
Sycamore House
Forest Road
London E17 4JF
Tel 020 8496 3000
Email wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk